Have I mentioned that I have the best job ever?

Last week my students and I learned about graffiti. They created thier own graffiti artist name (so as not to get caught yo!) and then chose a social or political issue to make a statement about. I am always amazed at the creativity that can be found in these students! My greatest frustration as a teacher (besides the brushes that get left unwashed and the instructions that go unheaded) is that my students can’t quite understand how great they truly are, and can’t quite see yet the opportunities that are open to them. I gather such hope for the future from the students that I teach! The converse can also be true, it is difficult for me to see the negative things that are taking hold upon these students too- apathy, dishonesty, vanity, and selfishness. Thank goodness there’s more good than bad. =)

And the good is overwhelming. I got paid last week to sit out in the sun and tag the back wall of the school with a bunch of super cool kids. These kids are so cool in fact, that I can’t wait to see what happens to them in the coming years. I know that most of them will not become practicing visual artists, (which is such a shame! Look at this outstanding work!) but I will be content if they are able to craft a life that is artful, even if they have to do some certified public accounting to pay the bills.