Notes from my first year teaching

as I head into my second

The school semester is about to start next week and while I am busy getting ready with my syllabus and assignments, I have actually been spending a lot of time this week reflecting on my job as a teacher - which is the hardest and most rewarding job.

Last summer I applied for my dream job; a part-time adjunct professor in the illustration department and got hired. I don’t know if I will ever get over how strange it feels to be called professor by my students, but the teaching part is pretty amazing!

Let’s rewind a little bit - I was painfully shy and quiet as a child (at least at school, not around family). I never raised my hand to talk, I dreaded the day when you had to give a report in front of the class, and in college I feared critiques!

Luckily, I have since gotten over my shyness and fear of speaking in front of people, and now I really enjoy being the one teaching. It does help that illustration is a subject that I am passionate about.

Some thoughts from my first year:

1. Slideshow presentations are my jam: I created weekly presentations for my students that went over the topic we were working on. Some of my topics included; picture books, hand lettering, editorial, keeping a sketchbook, narrative art, etc. This really helped me be prepared and organized.

2. Weekly Check-in: Every week I asked the students to share something they were working on or an artist they discovered — for bonus points of course. We would start each class looking at what they posted. I felt like this was a great way to get the class started; low pressure and I got to discover some new artist. I also loved it when they showed work they were doing in other classes.

3. Drawing Exercises: I came up with drawing exercises to do at the end of every class. Sometimes it was a group collaboration, sometimes it was to help the students brainstorm ideas for the assignment and other times it was just fun drawing prompts. A lot of the prompts I borrowed from Lynda Barry, Austin Kleon, and Drawing is Magic by John Hendrix.

4. Weekly Critiques: You heard that right, we did weekly critiques on the assignments. Can you imagine if I was a student during this time?! I would have died. But, I feel like sharing weekly progress and talking about what was working and what needed work was extremely helpful. The first semester was difficult to get most of my students to talk. It ended up just being me saying what I thought - and that was totally okay. The second semester, I switched it up a little and during critiques with Final Artwork, I made each student say at least one thing. AND guess what - everyone was so good at giving feedback!

5. Finding Balance: I spent a lot of time preparing for each class; teaching two classes a week took quite a few hours of putting together my presentations, planning and grading. Luckily, I was able to reuse my first semesters presentations during the second semester, but I really had to be on top of everything. I couldn’t let my freelance work slack and I had to be there for my students as well. I created my own hack Pomodor method that saved me and got me through the year. On Sundays I would sit down and schedule out the week in my planner. I didn’t get as much time to “play” in my studio to create work just for fun, so next time I’m going to schedule that in each week.

6. Structure: Everyone loves structure. I made sure each class followed a structure and a schedule, so everyone got comfortable fast and knew what to expect each week. Plus, I just love to be organized. I would like to add a little spontaneity this coming semester, maybe a field trip or a work day where we try a new technique with art supplies I bring in.

7. Students: I’m so jealous these students are part of this incredible program. Not only is the illustration department amazing, but these students get to learn from professors that are incredible at their jobs! I would have died to do this program! I want to go back to school and learn from them! Seeing these students and their work weekly, made me want to be a better educator and illustrator. I am happy to be constantly inspired by them!

8. It’s not easy: There are policies to follow and outcomes to make sure you are teaching. Syllabuses, schedules, students, grading and my own work that I have to do. It goes back to being prepared and balancing your schedule and time.

I am really proud to be part of this program and love being able to share the one thing I am so very passionate about. So after a year, it’s still safe to say, this is still my dream job.

I mean, come on — when a student gives you a portrait of yourself!!! This was done by a student from my first semester and it’s hanging up in my studio!

Before I started teaching, I tried to find blogs/newsletters/instagrams/ books from art professors, but couldn’t find too much. So, I’d like to share a little bit with you in my newsletters, if that is something you would be interested in. What do you think?

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I am excited to share that I am also guest teaching with Stephanie Fizer Coleman this month with our revamped Let’s Make Picture Book course! Enrollment opens on Sept 15 - you can sign up to get on the waitlist here. I will be sharing more about this 12-week portfolio workshop next week!

-Denise