Critical Need for Art Teachers
Perhaps you've heard of the national teacher shortage. What's important to realize is that the shortage is in ALL areas of education. Teachers, bus drivers, support personnel, and yes... art teachers too are in high demand. At Eastern Michigan University we want to make the road to becoming an art teacher as simple as possible.
Did you know that qualifying high school students can start taking college courses while still in high school. The best part is that your school district will pick up the tab. That's right... free education for those who start early. But what should you take?
To help prospective art teachers get into their own classrooms, asap, we have created two documents to assist your efforts.
Did you know that qualifying high school students can start taking college courses while still in high school. The best part is that your school district will pick up the tab. That's right... free education for those who start early. But what should you take?
To help prospective art teachers get into their own classrooms, asap, we have created two documents to assist your efforts.
- 4-Year Map: The four-year curriculum map shows you all the classes required and offers a recommended sequence for completion. Follow this plan, work hard, and after four years you can start leading children and/or teens in creative & critical art making activity. Note that it is common to take a few classes in the summer to lesson the workload throughout the school year. See the graphic below for details.
- Gen Ed Guide: Part of the "university" experience is becoming well versed in numerous subjects, yet sometimes those general education classes can feel disconnected from your vision of being an art teacher. At EMU we make the connections visible by explaining how the skills and knowledge learned in Gen Ed classes translates into professional practice. Follow our simple guide and you will see that four of the 13 classes are also required as part of your art teacher curriculum. Take the required courses and they also count for Gen Ed credit, putting you closer to graduation with less tuition expense. Who doesn't like to save money... right?!
4-Year Map for Students Entering University for the First Time
Understanding the Relationship of Gen Ed Classes to Teaching
Have a BFA and Want to Get Certified?
It's very common for students to go to art school only to decide later that they would like to put their art making expertise to work in teaching children and teens. If you have an earned BFA in visual art and want to become a certified art teacher, check out the pdf below for post-baccalaureate students. You could be working in your own classroom sooner than you think!
PDF versions you can download for reference
| _4-year_map_k-12_visual_art_education_bfa.pdf |
| understanding_gen_ed_classes.pdf |
| post-baccalaureate_art_teacher_certification__course_sequence.pdf |