August 29, 2003

• The Art Teacher

  
  

  So today, while I was in the art room sorting through scraps of construction paper and making posters for the first day of school, it occured to me exactly what I am. I am The Art Teacher, The Woman In Charge of Fingerpaint and Purveyor of All Things Glittery. For some reason up until now I don’t think I quite believed the situation had anything to do wth reality, because it just seemed so cosmically hilarious to me. Me? A teacher?? AHAha, haha ha ha…ha. Right. Like when my boyfriend makes lude teacher’s pet jokes. Or I do something really flaky and silly, it’s ok, because it’s my actual job to be a wierdo. Or the fact that I was a lazy-ass bum all summer, and I refuse to act like a real grownup. And I make fun of myself all the time.

  
  

  So school is about to start, and I’ve been getting the classroom ready this week. This sounds really strange coming out of my mouth, my classroom, my students, my lesson plans. I even have an art-minion, who obeys my commands. Whoo, I am a powerful woman. I get to organize things, and run the show. It’s a pretty big deal, because we’re the flagship school for the Home, and the art program is a huge source of promotional and PR goodness for their fundraising. So it’s gotta be good, and I have to make it that way. I think it’s important.

  
  

  So for a minute there I was panicking about it all; getting my lessons in on time, impressing my supervisors, organizing art events, giving the kids a fabulous learning experience, and keeping my stamina and passion up despite all the time and sacrifices I have to make to this thing. It’s kind of scary.

  
  

  But then I thought, I have a job where I get to play with kids all day. I get to paint, and use crayons. I get to draw and imagine things and be silly and have fun. I get to be the Art Teacher, for real. This is gonna rule!

  • 6:21 pm
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