3 Mistakes I Made as a New Art Teacher (That You Can Avoid!)

Advice for New Teachers

I’ve been teaching art for a while now, but I still remember what it felt like to be a brand new teacher...overwhelmed, excited to have my own classroom, and trying so hard to get everything right.  
Looking back, I can see now that I was doing my best with what I knew, but there were definitely a few things I wish I had understood earlier.
If you're a new art teacher or even just reflecting on your own teaching journey here are three mistakes I made in my early years.
My hope is that by sharing these, it might save you some stress and help you feel a little more grounded as you head into your school year.

17 years in and a lot has changed, I'm no longer the "young" teacher but I am so much more grounded.

Mistake #1: I tried to teach like a veteran teacher

When I was student teaching, I observed a lot of veteran teachers (including my master teacher) who had calm, laid-back classrooms where things just seemed to flow. Students managed themselves, there was minimal behavior correction, and everything seemed effortless. When I took over my master teacher's class the students behaved much the same way as when she had been teaching. There were minor disruptions but overall I was able to lead the class on my own without too much classroom management.  

So when I got my first teaching job I thought I didn't need the structure I had learned in my credential program…things like greeting students at the door and practicing  procedures the first day, and instead went with a more relaxed approach. 

​It backfired. Big time.

It’s embarrassing to admit… but on that first day the students came into the room and sat wherever they wanted. I had no instruction on the board so students got the message they were there to socialize. That first week was awful, students talked over me, got up frequently to switch seats and tried to steer the class the way they wanted. I had given over my authority on the first day. 

What I didn’t realize at the time was that those experienced teachers had spent years building relationships and earning their students’ trust and as a student teacher, I was borrowing some of that respect simply by being introduced and supported by my master teacher in a classroom she had already cultivated. Veteran art teachers are known and trusted by students and have mastered the subtle cues that come with classroom presence and rapport. Without that foundation, my attempt at a casual classroom came across as chaotic and disorganized.

​What I learned: Students, especially in middle and high school, need to know you’re in charge before they can feel free to create. Structure is a kindness. Now, I always greet students at the door, set clear expectations, and teach routines explicitly before giving them more freedom. I realized students need to see their teachers in control, it allows them to relax and learn knowing they will be safe in the classroom environment. Now that I have 17 years of teaching under my belt I can loosen up my routines a bit more, but I still begin the school year with a few non-negotiable strategies. To read more about how I set up my classes for success on the first week of school check out this blog post.

Examples of the content rich and scaffolded lesson resources I created for my classes.

Mistake #2: I skipped the skill building

In my first year, I was so excited to dive into projects that I often skipped the scaffolding. I’d demo a cool project, show some finished examples, and send students off to create. But then I’d feel defeated when students didn’t follow directions or mishandled tools and materials. 

The truth? I was setting them up to fail and I was setting myself up for frustration.  

I assumed students came into art class already knowing how to use basic tools like scissors, rulers, or glue sticks. I thought I was letting them get to “the fun part” more quickly, but really, I was overlooking how much support they needed.

What I learned: Even high school students need time and practice to build foundational skills. Now I introduce techniques in bite-sized chunks. I demonstrate every skill then give students time to practice, play and explore, building in the complexity over time.  Even though projects took much longer, the results were much more successful and students much more proud of their work. 

​If you’re not sure where to start, I’ve created curriculum resources that are ready to go with very little prep. They include all the scaffolding students need: step-by-step instructions, worksheets, and skill-building activities…so you can focus on teaching instead of reinventing the wheel. You can check them out here if you're looking for a way to simplify your planning.  If you are teaching an introductory level class for high school or upper middle school I recommend this Intro to Art Lesson Bundle it has 6 of my favorite intro level lessons that require only basic materials if your art supply budget is tight. 

Community building is also a key component to creating a productive classroom environment. This partner drawing activity is one of my favorites to do with students to build community the first week of school. 

Mistake #3: I let students have too much control

When I was a new teacher, I was one of the youngest teachers in the building (just a handful of years older than the students) and because of my youth I felt pressure to be the “fun” teacher. I wanted students to like me and I thought if the students were enjoying themselves, that meant I was doing a good job.

​So when students pushed back on structure…asking to control the class playlist, leave class a few minutes early to get to the lunch line or to switch seats to sit with a friend I often gave in. 

What I didn’t realize was that I was sending the message that I wasn’t in charge and that I wasn’t always fair. And when students don’t feel like their teacher is leading, they start testing boundaries in ways that make it hard to get anything done.

What I learned: It’s possible to be a warm, fun and joyful teacher and still maintain clear boundaries, in fact your students will respect you more if you stick to the rules you set at the start of the year. Students thrive when they know what to expect and maintaining consistency and fairness is important in building trust. You will never be able to please everyone so set boundaries you can live with and stick to them. If you don't know where to begin with setting up your classroom routines...this is my favorite classroom management book to get you started. 

So if you're a new teacher...

We all grow into our teaching practice over time. If you’re in those early years, know that it’s okay to make mistakes, and you will make mistakes. But I promise…it does get easier and it is absolutely worth it. 
Something happens around year 3 and there is a shift and you will hit your stride, and sadly almost half of new teachers don’t stick around to feel that shift or to grow into their teacher confidence.
You’ve got this…and I’m cheering you on every step of the way. If you'd like to get bi-weekly encouragement and tips and talk more join my email list, (and get your free syllabus planner) I promise I will never send you spam and I'd love to hear from you! 

​Have you made one of these mistakes too? Or learned a different lesson the hard way? I’d love to hear your experience in the comments!