Art teachers are reeling as arts funding cuts and declining student enrollment threaten the very existence of their profession. The two women, Sue Cabourn and Jasmine Pert, share their experiences as art educators in a rapidly changing landscape.
Cabourn's journey into teaching began in the late 1990s, a time when Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, and Gillian Wearing were dominating the cultural agenda. She began working with adults who had learning difficulties and then moved on to teach students who had been excluded from school. Her approach was hands-on, with projects like pottery and ceramics that allowed her to connect with students on a deeper level.
Fast forward to today, and Cabourn reflects on how things have changed for the worse. The focus has shifted from creativity to results, with students being pushed to excel in subjects like math and science. She worries about the loss of art as an integral part of the curriculum, citing its importance in providing students with a creative outlet.
Meanwhile, Pert's journey into teaching was very different. As a student teacher, she was warned that the administrative side of the job would be more demanding than the actual teaching. While her days are often chaotic, she finds joy in connecting with her students and watching them grow as artists.
Both women acknowledge the challenges of their profession, but they also stress the importance of art education. For Cabourn, it's about providing students with a sense of purpose and confidence. She remembers one student who struggled to express himself through words, but found solace in painting.
As for Pert, she finds that her role is not just about teaching technical skills, but about fostering creativity and self-expression. Her experience working with students with additional needs has taught her the value of adapting her approach to meet individual needs.
In a world where technology is increasingly taking over, both women worry about the impact on traditional art forms. Cabourn expresses skepticism about AI-generated art, viewing it as impersonal and lacking in emotional depth. Pert, while acknowledging its potential benefits, cautions against relying too heavily on technology.
Ultimately, their experiences underscore the importance of preserving arts education in schools. As art teachers, they are not just educators but also advocates for the value of creative expression. Their words of wisdom offer a message of hope to aspiring artists and educators alike: that with dedication and passion, it is possible to make a lasting impact on young lives.
For Cabourn, her advice to Pert is to stay true to herself and her values as an art teacher. "Don't second-guess yourself or feel you're not worthy because of how some people see the subject," she advises. "Remember that your role is just as important as any other."
As for Pert, Cabourn's words of wisdom serve as a reminder of the power of art to connect us all. In a world that often values efficiency and productivity over creativity, it's up to educators like them to keep the flame of artistic expression burning bright.
Both women are passionate about their work, and their dedication is inspiring. As they navigate the challenges of arts funding cuts and declining student enrollment, they remain committed to preserving the value of art education for future generations.
Their stories offer a powerful reminder that teaching is not just about imparting knowledge but also about fostering creativity, empathy, and self-expression. In an era where technology dominates our lives, it's more important than ever to preserve traditional arts forms like painting, music, and dance.
By supporting arts education, we're investing in the next generation of creatives who will shape our world. And for teachers like Cabourn and Pert, there's no greater reward than seeing their students thrive as artists and individuals.
Cabourn's journey into teaching began in the late 1990s, a time when Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, and Gillian Wearing were dominating the cultural agenda. She began working with adults who had learning difficulties and then moved on to teach students who had been excluded from school. Her approach was hands-on, with projects like pottery and ceramics that allowed her to connect with students on a deeper level.
Fast forward to today, and Cabourn reflects on how things have changed for the worse. The focus has shifted from creativity to results, with students being pushed to excel in subjects like math and science. She worries about the loss of art as an integral part of the curriculum, citing its importance in providing students with a creative outlet.
Meanwhile, Pert's journey into teaching was very different. As a student teacher, she was warned that the administrative side of the job would be more demanding than the actual teaching. While her days are often chaotic, she finds joy in connecting with her students and watching them grow as artists.
Both women acknowledge the challenges of their profession, but they also stress the importance of art education. For Cabourn, it's about providing students with a sense of purpose and confidence. She remembers one student who struggled to express himself through words, but found solace in painting.
As for Pert, she finds that her role is not just about teaching technical skills, but about fostering creativity and self-expression. Her experience working with students with additional needs has taught her the value of adapting her approach to meet individual needs.
In a world where technology is increasingly taking over, both women worry about the impact on traditional art forms. Cabourn expresses skepticism about AI-generated art, viewing it as impersonal and lacking in emotional depth. Pert, while acknowledging its potential benefits, cautions against relying too heavily on technology.
Ultimately, their experiences underscore the importance of preserving arts education in schools. As art teachers, they are not just educators but also advocates for the value of creative expression. Their words of wisdom offer a message of hope to aspiring artists and educators alike: that with dedication and passion, it is possible to make a lasting impact on young lives.
For Cabourn, her advice to Pert is to stay true to herself and her values as an art teacher. "Don't second-guess yourself or feel you're not worthy because of how some people see the subject," she advises. "Remember that your role is just as important as any other."
As for Pert, Cabourn's words of wisdom serve as a reminder of the power of art to connect us all. In a world that often values efficiency and productivity over creativity, it's up to educators like them to keep the flame of artistic expression burning bright.
Both women are passionate about their work, and their dedication is inspiring. As they navigate the challenges of arts funding cuts and declining student enrollment, they remain committed to preserving the value of art education for future generations.
Their stories offer a powerful reminder that teaching is not just about imparting knowledge but also about fostering creativity, empathy, and self-expression. In an era where technology dominates our lives, it's more important than ever to preserve traditional arts forms like painting, music, and dance.
By supporting arts education, we're investing in the next generation of creatives who will shape our world. And for teachers like Cabourn and Pert, there's no greater reward than seeing their students thrive as artists and individuals.
. I mean, it's like they're cutting out the creative part of kids' lives just because they want them to focus on math and science . It doesn't make sense to me 
. We need arts education so our kids can express themselves , find their passion, and develop a sense of purpose 
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. It's not just about the art itself, but also about the skills kids develop - critical thinking , problem-solving, and collaboration . And let's not forget the emotional benefits of creating something beautiful 
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. We owe it to ourselves, our kids, and future generations 
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Don't get me wrong, technology has its benefits, but it can't replace human touch and emotional depth in art. I mean, how can you replicate a perfect brushstroke or a soulful melody with code and algorithms? 
Art teachers like Sue Cabourn and Jasmine Pert are the guardians of this lost art form, and we need to support them more than ever 
. We should be teaching our kids about the importance of self-expression, empathy, and creativity, not just about formulas and equations 
. If we want a world that's more artistic, compassionate, and human, we need to preserve arts education in schools 
these two women are literally the real MVPs 
cabourn is so right about how important it is to have art in schools its not just about creatin, its about helpin kids express themselves and find their purpose 
i wish more people understood the value of arts education we need more ppl like cabourn and pert spreadin the word 
. It's great that these two teachers are speaking up about it, but let's not sugarcoat it - arts funding cuts and declining enrollment are no joke 
. We need more people like Cabourn and Pert who aren't afraid to say what's up and fight for the value of art in education 
. And honestly, AI-generated art is just a band-aid on a bigger problem - we need to be teaching students how to think creatively and critically, not just spit out some algorithmic masterpiece 
. They're all about preservin' arts ed, but it's gettin' harder by the day 
. The focus is on math and science now, and art's just gettin' pushed to the side 
. It's a shame, 'cause art's so important for kids, especially those with learnin' difficulties 
. They need creative outlets to express themselves, but it's gettin' harder to find 'em in these cutthroat times 
.
I feel so bad for these art teachers who are having to deal with all this funding cuts and enrollment decline 
. We need more people like these teachers who care about arts education and are passionate about helping kids develop their creativity 
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. It's all about the numbers game now, and creativity is just an afterthought 
. I mean, where's the value in teaching students to excel at math and science when they're not even allowed to explore their own artistic expression? 
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saving the world one art lesson at a time. They get it, they truly do. Art education isn't just about teaching technical skills, it's about fostering creativity, empathy, and self-expression. That's what we need more of in this world... not less 
. We need to keep the flame of artistic expression burning bright, especially in a world that's increasingly dominated by technology 
Anyway, back to art teachers and funding cuts... it's true that the focus has shifted more towards results and less on creativity. But can we talk about how awesome it is when you stumble upon an independent coffee shop or art studio in a random neighborhood? 
the fact that they're worried about arts funding cuts and declining student enrollment is just heartbreaking 
I'm totally with these art teachers on this one! 
. We need more people like these two women who truly care about the value of creative expression in schools! 
Not just about passing tests, but about fostering a sense of purpose and confidence in young minds... 
. We need to support these teachers & artists in any way we can! 
. Let's spread some love for arts education and make sure our future is bright with creativity & imagination! 
#ArtsEducationMatters #SupportOurTeachers #CreativityIsKey