Day 17 of Year 16:  I just heard on the news that teachers across the board will be getting a 3% raise this coming year.  After finding out a few months back that our district was 49th in the state of Texas in education (and pay, I believe), this is news comes with mixed feelings.  I should be happy - overjoyed, in fact - but the comments I heard pertaining to the raise made me more sad than ever.  The public seems to not understand that educators are not only leaving the district due to a lot of negative issues, mandated testing, over capacity in the classroom and more administrative tasks then ever, but we are leaving the field of education all together.  Education has come to a point where everyone is losing.  The students hate school once they get past the 2nd or 3rd grade, parents expect more than seems humanly possible to give sometimes, and the system is broken.  School is essential but not all students can handle the structure, the pace - either trying to catch up or trying to keep ahead - and there seems to be no end in sight for teaching to the test.  New test, old rules still apply.  I am going to the studio to paint.  To find peace.  To wish the public understood that 3% fixes nothing.  I would gladly forfeit the 3% if change in the system would really happen.

Off to paint.

And life is grand out here...

Day 15 0f Year 16: Two days past when I meant to post but thinking all the time. It's true - a teacher never rests...even on weekends in the summertime. Started a new blog - www.kuntzapstudioart.blogspot.com - because I am completely inspired to have my next group of AP students be as successful as I hope THEY want to be...and obviously me.

Scholastic in New York happened this month. Kids walking across the stage at Carnegie Hall. I was there not too long ago. I want to be there again.

Selfish? Maybe. I want it anyway.

I've been thinking of starting another side business of creating children's portraits. Hmmm. Can she do it?

My daughter at 16.

Day 14 of year 16:  Quote of the day.  Procrastination never ends well.  On another note, I received a call from the summer school people while strolling around Costco looking at things I couldn't afford and wanting them anyway, and at first I thought it was just a phone solicitation.  The secretary of summer school was asking if I was interested in subbing three days next week for IPC (?).  Hard to believe that I would even hesitate and have to think about this new found freedom I was enjoying (doubly as I was still looking at the cute outdoor LED lights that I think will look good in my yard for 0nly 39.99).  I did ask if I was the best choice for IPC.  They said yes.

Either they're desperate or I am.  I said yes.

I did get a school calendar for next year and have put in all the important days.  You know, staff development, TAKS testing...theings that really matter...

No caption necessary.

Day 13 of Year 16:

Day 12-1/2 (still cheating although this really IS day 12...) of Year 16:  Summer school is no longer.  With one student in the class the powers that be decided the class should be cancelled.  Now, not only do I feel dejected that I have no class and am in the "substitute pool" but I feel twice the dejection that art is so far down the ladder as to be a class that students don't consider taking even if offered in summer school.

I am passionate about what I do.  I am passionate about what I teach.  Art is important.

Just sayin'

Art is as important as core subjects.

There.  I said it.

Art teaches creativity, free thinking, individuality.  Art is more of what the future needs; what kids should be learning.

Day 12 (almost - I'm cheating because it's still day 11 but I'm about to go to bed...) Year 16:  One student?  I have one student enrolled for summer school?  Seriously?  And to make things worse I asked about turning in my schedule and approval for working on art curriculum - I was originally told I could work up to 20 hours and get paid - and was told that only the "core" classes (translate to "important" classes) were being authorized.

Creativity.  Art.  Visual stimulation.  Learning how to see, not just look.

Except when I think about pie.

I feel sad today.

Day 11 of Year 16:  Started summer school yesterday.  Well, started the first day of what may be the last day of summer school.  I believe I only have two students enrolled as of the last count and the district is capping the class at 20.  Hmmm.  I don't believe the kids who failed Art 1 and now realize they need it to graduate suddenly woke up this morning and are preparing to rush to school and register.  I may have more time on my hands to actually do art - a threat I've been using for a while now...that portrait I could be finishing, Insanity I could be doing (I really am completely out of shape), dogs I could be walking, horses I could be riding.  I do have to say, being in the classroom again, especially without anyone around, still gives me a thrill.

...that and my students.

That, indeed, is what keeps me going.