High School Gym Teachers and Art Teachers

[Pryderi]

Do they still exist, or are we living in a #STEMonly society?

[Mopar151]

1. This art teacher hadda get a weekend job...

[kwassa]

2. They still exist, alive and well.

I am a public school art teacher.

The local high school has such great athletics programs that they often make it to the state finals in football, which is played in the Ravens stadium in Baltimore.

[Pryderi]

3. There's hope for the human race! :) n/t

[woodsprite]

4. My son had both in 6th grade

Now in 7th he didn't get gym. He got tech Ed/shop. The
'Specials' teachers sometimes teach at multiple schools.

Daughter had both all thru high school.

[femmocrat]

5. They do still exist but are stretched to their limits.

I am a public school art teacher and teach at four buildings! I travel between two or three buildings a day! The kids get gym twice a week (two traveling teachers) but very little music. The high school music teacher comes for part of the day and sees combined classes (50-60 students at a time).

Ooops! I just noticed you said "high school"! I teach elementary, sorry. Our high school offers art as an elective. Phys Ed is required for graduation. Sports are a big deal here.

[mia]

6. Gym and Art - the most fun subjects. Why do they hate kids? n/t

[radicalliberal]

9. Mandatory sports-centered P.E. definitely is not any fun for nonathletic kids.

Instead, it is a torment every single school day. As certain DU members can testify from their own childhood experiences, bullying is rife in such classes; but who cares? Providing genuine fitness programs for nonathletic kids, instead of disregarding and humiliating them, would be great; but they're considered to be nonpersons in the world of school sports. As a health club member, I've been amazed at the difference between the positive and supportive relationship I've had with my physical trainers and the indifference and contempt of the mandatory P.E. coaches of my boyhood. Completely different social dynamics. A lot of people who support mandatory P.E. claim they're concerned about the kids who are fat or otherwise are out of shape, but they really don't care about them. All they really care about are sports and athletes. I stand by my words. They're based on my childhood experiences and observations over a period of decades.

[SEMOVoter]

7. Art is very underrated, underfunded and under-appreciated in the public school ...

I have two kiddos, seventh grade and fourth. Art is once a week for the grade school and everyday for the 7th grader.

Art projects covered in public school are pretty ho-hum, too crafty for my tastes. I don't blame the teacher, although she is a teabagger which boggles my mind.

Once a week the kids and I take a watercolor class outside of school. The two hours spent focusing on painting has spurred the following curious gains:

Understanding of ecosystems and ability to see connections, even in a bland landscape.
Biology of flowers.
Chemistry of pigments - warm and cool primaries in the modern color theory
Working/communicating with other art students with disabilities on a level field of art. (this is segregated in their school)
Instead of seeking a grade, the kids are observing and creating worlds of their own.
Types of clouds are now a conversation topic.
The ability to plan and execute their own art project from beginning to end. (continuing growth)

[Mopar151]

8. Irony is, there are a lot of good, usable trade skills in art class

And a lot of art skills in the trades. Check out the old Monster Gararge episodes when Jesse brought in the elite of the old customizers like Gene Winfield and Bill Hine - you'll see a master class in metalwork and paint.

The 2 best electrical techs I know are stained glass and jewelry artists, respectively.