We artists do enjoy our solo studio time, but a bit of adult company every now and then couldn’t hurt! Unfortunately, art rooms are usually separated from the traditional subject classrooms due to size requirements, kilns, paint smells, etc., leaving us feeling a bit lonely and left out.
Grabbing a bit of grown-up gab time isn’t always easy, given the location of our rooms, tight school day schedules, and teachers’ monumental workloads, but we’ve got five fun tips to help you connect with your colleagues and feel like part of the team!
1. Host a Workshop – STEAM has stumped more than a few subject-specific teachers. Invite the math and science teachers at your school to a workshop in your room and brainstorm ideas for incorporating art into their lessons.
2. Bake Something (Other Than Clay) – The teacher’s lounge is the water cooler of the school campus. Consider leaving baked or other treats from your friendly neighborhood art teacher with a note inviting your coworkers to stop by your room for the recipe.
3. Art for Adults – Offer an afterschool art class for your fellow teachers! Help them make some fun, handmade valentines or paint a springtime watercolor landscape to bring some sunny fun in the worst of the winter weather.
4. Head for the Office – Don’t forget your office team as you’re making friends at school! The school secretary, nurse, and custodian have looser schedules and just might be up for a bit of chat every now and then. Plus, they’re good resources to have on your side!
5. Find Like Minds – Reach out to the music, drama, and language teachers at your school. Ask them to join you for lunch in the art room or meet for an early morning Starbucks.
It might take some effort, but there are friends to be made! So get out there and meet your fellow teachers – you never know when you’ll need a good laugh or some sympathetic support.
How do you build work relationships with your fellow teachers?
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