A Guide to Art Teacher Internships and Requirements
Art teachers play a vital role in education, fostering an appreciation for art history and nurturing students' artistic talents and creative expression. This guide provides comprehensive information on the responsibilities of art teachers, the steps to becoming one, and the career outlook for this rewarding profession.
How to Become an Art Teacher
Aspiring art teachers have several pathways to pursue, each with specific requirements and qualifications. The typical route involves:
- Earning a Bachelor's Degree in Art Education: A Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree with a state-approved teacher preparation program is the most common first step. It's crucial to ensure the program is recognized by your state's Department of Education and meets the criteria for teacher certification or licensure.
- Completing a Student Teaching Internship: Practical experience is essential. Internships provide hands-on experience at the grade level(s) you wish to teach.
- Passing State-Required Tests: Most states require art teachers to pass standardized tests to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.
- Applying for Teaching Certification: Upon successful completion of the above steps, you can apply for your teaching certificate (though this may not be necessary for private schools).
- Applying for Art Teacher Positions: With certification in hand, you can begin your job search.
Many states offer a K-12 certification in art, enabling you to teach across all grade levels. Alternatively, you can specialize in a specific level, such as elementary, middle, or high school. Elementary art teachers often pursue a bachelor's degree in education, while secondary art teachers may hold a bachelor's degree in art or art history.
During a bachelor's degree program, students can expect to take two years of general education courses, as well as art courses. After being admitted to the teacher preparation program at their university, students will begin taking courses on methods of teaching specific to the grades they wish to teach. After passing the state tests for teacher certification and completing observations and student teaching, a graduate will be eligible to obtain state teacher certification.
For individuals with a bachelor's degree in art who haven't completed a teacher preparation program, alternative paths to certification exist in most states. Earning a master's degree with a teacher preparation component is another common route to initial teacher licensure.
Read also: Impact of Teacher Shouting
Art Teacher Job Description
Art teachers are responsible for imparting artistic and creative concepts, such as color, shape, and texture, to students in various learning environments. They guide students in understanding artistic concepts across visual mediums like drawing, painting, ceramics, photography, and design.
Beyond technical skills, art teachers cultivate students' creativity while addressing their academic and emotional needs. They also adhere to grading and curriculum requirements set by their schools.
Gene Diaz and Martha Barry McKenna emphasize the importance of creativity in education, stating, "Students must be able to think creatively and synthesize information across disciplines, combining it in innovative ways. They learn analytical reasoning, effective communication, and collaboration by developing knowledge, skills, and competencies through an active and participatory engagement with the arts."
Art Teacher Common Tasks and Skills
Art teachers engage students through hands-on activities, teaching the fundamentals of art and its history. Their responsibilities include:
- Supervising student progress.
- Assisting students in developing their creativity.
- Managing classroom discipline.
- Assessing projects.
- Preparing engaging lessons.
Art teachers also collaborate with administrators, fellow instructors, parents, and the community. Essential qualities for success include strong organizational and time-management skills, patience, reliability, and artistic talent.
Read also: Navigating Florida Teacher Certification
Effective art teachers possess strong communication skills and a deep understanding of art history and concepts. These qualities help candidates distinguish themselves in the job market.
Art Teacher Salary and Job Outlook
While the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn't provide specific data for art teachers, we can examine related teaching categories to estimate salary and job prospects.
The BLS projects job growth for elementary, middle, and high school teachers to be around 4% to 5% from 2021 to 2031, which is about average compared to other occupations.
In 2022, the median annual salary for elementary school teachers was $61,690, while middle school teachers earned $61,810, and high school teachers earned $62,360 per year.
Further training or national certification can lead to higher earning potential. Moreover, positions in urban or rural areas may offer increased salaries due to the higher demand for qualified teachers.
Read also: Solving the Special Education Shortage
Additional Resources
Several organizations support art education and provide resources for teachers:
- Americans for the Arts: An organization for education leaders and professionals in the arts seeking to promote art education.
- Arts Education Partnership (ArtsEd): A network of over 200 organizations dedicated to the advancement of arts education.
- National Art Education Association (NAEA): A leading professional association for visual art educators from the elementary school to college level. The NAEA also provides lesson plans and a job board for members.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do you need special training to become an art teacher? In some states, you can obtain an art endorsement to add to your teacher certification. The specific requirements vary but may involve additional art coursework and a portfolio.
- How much do art teachers make? While the BLS doesn't report specific salaries for art teachers, it depends on factors such as grade level, experience, type of school, and location. As of 2022, elementary teachers earned a median of $61,690, middle school teachers earned $61,810, and high school teachers earned $62,360 per year.
- Can you become an art teacher without a degree in teaching? Although exceptions exist, most schools require state teacher certification. Some private schools may accept demonstrated competency in lieu of certification.
- Besides public and private schools, what are other employers of art teachers? Art teachers can find employment in art studios, churches, community centers, daycare centers, senior centers, and non-profit organizations like the YMCA.
tags: #art #teacher #internships #requirements
