Behind the scenes with Alex Alkire!

A new school year is upon us, and as educators you and I both know that there are lots of procedures and videos, quizzes and paperwork, that we have to endure before the year even begins! While I was studying art education in college not one of my professors ever mentioned all the "behind the scenes" paperwork that I would be required before we even set foot in the classroom. I just wrote a blog post for the Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) blog, and it includes a list of a few things we need to remember! Check it out!

By the way, this blog post was sponsored by ATPE, but the words and opinions are 100% mine.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT MY BLOG POST AT THE ATPE WEBSITE!

Monday Mayhem: What is Art?

I hope you enjoyed this inspiration from my students. Such profound words coming from the minds of middle school students, I am so amazed and thankful for each and everyone of them.

Have you ever done this activity with your students? What was the result?

Monday Mayhem: New Year Inspiration!

Today I didn't have to be at work, tomorrow we officially report back for professional development, but I came in because I needed some inspiration to jump start me for the year.

I've been in my room a few times before now, but I was feeling very...blah. I had no idea what kind of theme or color scheme I was going to use this year and it was bothering me a lot. So I sat for a while today and then started looking through some of my pinterest finds for bulletin boards and found this wonderful gem of wisdom.

Last year I had one advanced art class. This year I will have two sections of advanced art. I am ecstatic! I really would love for my artists to learn that trying and failure is not failure, but progress and a learning experience. So I really want them to have a hand in their learning by thinking about world issues and figuring out what they think, what they want others to know and then applying that concept with the techniques and tools we have available in the studio. I am hoping that these quotes will help them go to the next level with their artwork.

So my theme this year? Black and White with a side of Packing Paper Brown, that way my students can fill the room with their colorful and thoughtful work!

What do you do to jump start your inspiration for a new year? Do you change themes or have the same one each year? Share and get featured on my blog!

Monday Mayhem: BACK TO SCHOOL!

Well for teachers at least! I've really taken the summer break to heart this year as you can see from my lack of posts, but I have been mulling over a lot of ideas for the new year and I can't wait to get started!

I've already been in my room, just wanted to see what kind of shape it was left in after summer school used our studio space and I was pleasantly surprised that it looked nice and clean.

I went ahead and rearranged my tables and desk trying to find a better layout for this year, but I'll probably move things around all year long. I can't help it! I'm an art teacher! Haha!

What do you do the first time you walk into your room after summer?