I just finished teaching a drawing workshop that was challenging. I mean, I take for granted the fact that I draw and never thought about how to actually translate those techniques to someone else. It was fun, no doubt, but I found it difficult to communicate how I get from point A to point B in a practical, step-by-step sense that someone else can grasp. Man...we take our gifts for granted and often overlook the strengths is others. The students seemed to be into it though. There were some that I could tell were more interested than others but overall they were engaged. My personal challenge is to engage the ones who aren't as susceptible to picking up things quickly. I found myself getting frustrated by a young girl for being so uninvolved in the classes. Out of the 20 kids there are only two African American students. I think back on my high school science teacher who pulled me and another student aside and chastised us; her only black students not putting forth an effort in class. That memory stood out for me. She was a classy teacher. We all thought she was “uppity” but she was about her business and her business was education. I had never seen a black, female teacher like her before and I was impressed. Now I can appreciate what she did in pulling us aside.
I don't want to be ineffective with my students; not being confident of what I am teaching. I want to be prepared and be able to leave them with something tangible they can build on. My main challenge has been taking things that come naturally to me and breaking them down in a simple process that anyone can learn. It also humbles me because I know how blessed I have been and how many opportunities I have been afforded to equip me to be in this position. Not everyone has that and that awareness humbles me.
God is still good. Even though every day feel like I'm starting from scratch and the smallest things keep me on my toes...God is still good.
Now, I can go home and rest...the lasagna calls...
Living Authentically,
G
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