Moving Toward Something

A lot of people don’t know that when I came back to Canon City, I joined the school district as the first middle school GATE teacher—the gifted program. It was a half-time position at that point, and it was all very wide open and flexible. Sometimes I just felt like I was making it up as I went.

One of the things that developed out of that program was a summer program that offered short, intense learning experiences for kids. I haven’t taught SPLASH every summer, but I have done a lot of classes. One of my classes is Animals in Art—a tour of art projects inspired by art and animals from around the world. When I retired, I decided to keep teaching SPLASH, so I returned to the classroom last week.

It’s no secret that I felt pretty beat up when I left the classroom five months ago. So much so that I couldn’t even go back to have lunch with my friends. I’d see kids in the grocery store or in a restaurant and get anxiety. But I was looking forward to SPLASH. First off, it’s the best of teaching—small classes with kids who want to be there. I love teaching different art mediums and just turning kids loose to create. And even though I have taught the class many times, we almost always do projects I haven’t tried before.

I couldn’t have had a better class. Ten kids, all happy, creative, and hardworking. Most of them like to draw, and they all actually listen when I tell them about an artist, a history, or a process. They help each other and are kind. And their work has turned out fantastic.

The best thing about this experience is that I can tell I am a new person—more grounded and happier. I don’t want to return to the classroom, but I am ready for creative opportunities that are starting to emerge.

I got a job. I am working part time at the brand new Leonardo DaVinci Museum in Pueblo, Colorado. I will be in the STEAM Center, helping visitors engage with fantastic displays that inspire imagination and creativity.

For the first time in a long time, I feel like I am moving toward something instead of away from something. Teaching SPLASH reminded me of what I loved about education in the first place, and this new opportunity feels like a natural next step. I may have closed one chapter, but I’m discovering that there are still plenty of ways to teach, create, and connect with people. That feels like a pretty good place to begin again.