Back at it again!
I think every career has its highs and lows. I can remember when I started teaching I was so energized and engaged in the idea of inspiring my students that I felt like I could save the world. (super nieve). Then the first three years that followed were actually some of the MOST challenging years of my teaching career. To be fair my students were displaced and .grieving the life they once knew that was greatly impacted by the EF6 tornado that wrecked through my hometown in 2011. So as I myself recovered from my injuries and mental struggles that came with surviving something as impactful as the storm, I also was dealing with horrible behavior issues from students, lack of support because we were a split campus' (my students were in an older building and only 9-10 graders, while the other half of the students were at a temporary facility built into our local mall for the 11012 graders). This caused a number of issues and each day I faced a new challenge and would often come home crying from work.
I consider myself a positive person but I more than once questioned if what I was doing really mattered. Fast forward to 2015 and we moved into our amazing facility and I got a chance to teach higher up students in my advanced classes. This was something I had been looking forward to for a LONG time. It finally felt like what I was doing mattered and students generally enjoyed taking my classes. I also got to teach Ceramics (my first love) and I have been doing this for seven years now. But I do find myself in a slum of teaching. I need the change or idea that I matter and can impact my students in a positive way.
That being said I decided to head back to school to get my certificate in Post-Baccalaureate Studies that would allow me to teach Dual Credit Art classes at my high school. In order to do that I had to apply for the program and build a resume and submit a letter of intent. I really enjoyed this process because I got to write out my "Why" and really ask myself if this is what I want to continue to do. I just got word I am accepted into the program and I am very excited to share the news with you all. So I figured I would share my portfolio and letter of intent for anyone who was interested.
"My name is Lacey Santillan and I am an Art Educator at Joplin High School. I am just finishing up my tenth-year teaching art courses; introductory 3D Art Survey, Ceramics and Sculpture. Over my years in education, I have completed many programs of study. At the beginning I received my Bachelor of Science in Education Art K-12, from Missouri Southern State University in December of 2010. During my studies I received a wide variety of art courses as well as education courses that prepared me for my role as an art teacher. Shortly after I then received my lifetime teaching certificate in the state of Missouri.
I started my graduate studies at Pittsburg State University where I received my Masters of Science in Teaching in 2017. Through this program I took a number of secondary education courses that renewed my passion for teaching and allowed me to implement what I learned immediately into practice in my classroom. I found it refreshing as I was just getting into a slump with my teaching career and needed something to boost my interest. However, this master did not allow me to teach dual credit through my high school.
By pursuing the Certificate of Post-Baccalaureate Studies in Art, I would again be taking studio art classes that would allow me to fulfil the required number of hours I would need. But I also find myself in another slump when it comes to my teaching career and I believe this program would refresh my skills in art and allow me to continue to inspire my students for many years to come.
As an art educator I think it is vital that we never lose the aspect of making art. Teaching can often take up a lot of time and can be the main focus if we let it. Pouring ourselves into inspiring our students to create and never really creating ourselves. This is why I often remind myself to continue to challenge my skills and develop my art. I hope this continuation of my passion for ceramics inspires my students and reminds them that we are never truly a master of anything. We can always continue to improve or hone our skills in any artform. In closing, I hope you consider accepting me into this program so I can learn more about art and how to teach my secondary art students. "
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