I just started teaching a class at the College of Visual Arts (CVA) in St. Paul. The class is Graphic Imagery; a sophomore-level foundation class for graphic design and illustration students. I can hardly believe I qualify as old and experienced enough to be an instructor. Didn't I just get done with school? What? That was almost nine years ago? Gulp. The offer of the adjunct faculty position thrilled me. And scared me.
I'm only going on week three, and I thought it might be a good time to share some of my newbie-teacher musings:
1. This is way harder than I thought. I never thought teaching would be "easy", but ho-lee cow. Assignment and lecture planning has kicked my brain into some unfamiliar territory that has been both gratifying and humbling. Oh, and still working 40 hours a week on top of it… ouch.
2. Students today have it easy. And really hard. They have the internet and google image search. They have awesome software. But they also have to learn how to design for a world that keeps getting crammed with even more information, design, advertising and just plain stuff.
3. "Hey, I am kinda smart." I'm not tooting my own horn here. But maybe a little! I mean, I have built my career in the past nine years and have some knowledge I can share with these students. It feels pretty good.
4. Unexpected feelings of inspiration This correlates to #1 and #3. I'm re-learning things through lecture preparation and assignments that I haven't paid formal thought to in years. Shape, contrast, balance, line, etc. All things I use day to day in my job but just take for granted. I've missed these old friends.
5. Apple store education discount for faculty??!! I just ordered a 24" display for at home. Sweet!
6. St. Paul is pretty. I knew this. But I forget sometimes.
7. Old Mansions can't have reliable wireless internet. John DuFresne, the head of the art/design department [and resident history buff] informed me that the walls of the Summit Avenue mansion, the home of CVA's offices and several classrooms, are 3 to 5 feet thick cement. No wireless router is that powerful.
8. 10 heads are better than one. My class rocks. I've been having a lot of fun hearing their ideas in class critiques and presentations.
9. "This is fun!" I've left every class thinking this. A good feeling.
10. I am so tired. I wonder if this is how teachers always feel?
2 Comments
Do you teach at Hogwarts... because this building looks pretty Harry Potter-esque!
Yes, teachers are always that tired! I worked graphic design and desktop publishing for several years before foraying into being a high school social studies teacher. I was utterly EXHAUSTED at the end of every day. I'm now back to being a web designer/project manager and while I have some hectic and stressful days, nothing compares to my days teaching.