Dear New Art Teachers....

 I wanted speak directly to the new art teachers(or newer).  

PLEASE KNOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE!  

WHAT YOU DO IS IMPORTANT! 

YOU CHANGE LIVES!

I am an old art teacher...been doing this job for almost three decades.  I know that you can't have enough cheerleaders around you.  Our job can be hard.  We can feel undervalued. We can feel unappreciated. We can feel the questions rolling around our mind....CAN I DO THIS/CAN I STAY IN THIS PROFESSION. 

Please know you are so very important to students. I have had so many wonderful encounters with former students who have shared how much my class meant to them.  Some I was surprised by!! ha ha  Some I knew in the moment...the art room was their safe place. I'm a dad of three school age kids.  I so appreciate the teacher in the arts spending time with my children.  Encouraging them.  Building in to them.  Someday you could be my kids art teacher.  I want you to know you matter to ME!!!

Keep going.  Keep being your amazing self.  You matter!!  ART MATTERS!