Question: Where are you getting your classroom posters?

gheemac:

msleahhbic:

Specifically to the art teachers: where are you finding posters with contemporary art? I want to try and include as many artists of color, women, and outsider artists as I can.

It’s easy to find Van Gogh and stuff like that, but I want something a little more updated.

“Van Gogh and stuff like that…”

Marginalization indeed.

Are you implying  that there’s something wrong with what I said? 

Yeah, it’s marginalizing. Only looking at artists that are dead white, European men, is pretty marginalizing for the vast majority of American students. 

All students have the right to see themselves in the art and artists we discuss. 

What happened today is not going to steal my joy. 

So many good things happened today:

1. I have the summer job I wanted with catiezebra!

2. I have an interview next week with a high achieving, arts-integrated school for children with autism.

3. There is a lovely new puppy in my apartment.

4. I am making progress with my students, even the challenging fifth graders.

5. My mom is continuing to do very well. Her doctors are thrilled with her progress.

I will not let them take my happiness. They aren’t going to win.

Four Hours Later

I’m still waiting for my heart to stop pounding.

I was riding the L train towards Carnarsie; I teach in East New York. At Broadway Junction, the train got really crowded. I was crowded around the center pole with a bunch of teenagers, mostly boys.

It started out subtle. One guy kept sliding his hand down on top of mine. I would just move my hand to another spot, it could just be a mistake. The train was crowded after all. But it kept happening. I moved to grab the pole by the doorway. One of his friends starts doing the same thing.

I ask “Dude, is there a problem? Why do you keep touching me?”

They all laughed. 

They (4-5 teenage boys) proceeded to invade my personal space, grab at my arms, poke me, pull my hair, and call me names. White bitch. Cunt. Bitch. Bitch. Bitch.

I kept asking them to stop and moving around the train. They kept following me.

Of the 30+ adults on that train, nobody said anything.

No one helped me.

I practically ran out the door at Sutter Avenue. 

On my way out one of them shouts “You good?” as he grabbed my butt. 

I cried the four blocks to my school. Thankfully, I only had to teach one enrichment class today. I couldn’t have handled any more. I was too distraught to report it at the station then, but I did on my way home. Not that it makes a difference. A report isn’t going to change rape culture. 

I just want to throw up.

A puppy is sleeping in my lap while I watch Rachel Maddow and read articles on teaching art to students with Autism. 

AND, I got the summer position at Catiezebra’s school!

So excited. Yeah, I cried. 

Sometimes, it’s really nice to wake up in the morning.

I woke up to an invitation to interview at The Spectrum School!!!!

Question: Where are you getting your classroom posters?

Specifically to the art teachers: where are you finding posters with contemporary art? I want to try and include as many artists of color, women, and outsider artists as I can.

It’s easy to find Van Gogh and stuff like that, but I want something a little more updated.

I’m doing this thing where I’m trying to envision the future more positively.

I’ve changed around my entire Amazon wishlist and focused it towards middle school. 

I’m reading articles on middle score Common Core implementation. 

I’m reorganizing my life.