Young Rembrandts

This has little to do with designing, but it does have to do with teaching, my other vocation.

A gal in Plano, Texas, found my regular blog by typing in "Young Rembrandts" in Google. She was considering working for them, and even buying a franchise except that she did not have the funds.

Here are her specific questions and my responses.

Do you feel like the $$ was fair for what you did?
No. I will be leaving after this semester is over because one hour-long class (plus prep, set up and take down) pays only $25, and can ruin my ability to make a day’s income elsewhere (I also teach day-long classes at New Horizons.)

What about mileage?
I used to travel over an hour front and back to two separate classes. Fortunately, my Director found me two schools a little closer, but it’s still about 40 minutes both ways twice a week.

Any general remarks about the program? …your experience with it?
It is nice that the curriculum is preplanned for us and takes little prep work once you get the hang of it. All of the supplies are provided. On the other hand, the kids ask me “did you draw that?” I’m slightly embarrassed when I tell them I did not. I wonder if they decide not to trust my skills as an art teacher because I didn’t actually create the lesson.

Any behavioral issues with the kids, or were they generally engaged with what they were doing?
There are problem kids even though assumedly they want to be there. Talking while I’m instructing is the most frustrating. There are also less common issues with throwing things, little rebellious sneaky gestures that are unwarranted, poking each other, getting into other people’s desks, or damaging supplies. I find that the most effective response to these other issues, is to have a child move to another spot and take his supplies with him (it’s always been a boy I’ve moved, although they are not always the ones talking while I’m instructing.) Once a child is moved elsewhere, he always settles in and does a great drawing.

How much ‘stuff’ did you have to take to the programs? How heavy? (dr limits what I can lift)
There is quite a bit of stuff. I have a small plastic hand cart on wheels full of supplies, which I lift in and out of the truck of my car. I’m guessing it weighs about 20 pounds.

As an artist (which I gathered, also, from your blog), what are your observations about teaching kids to draw somewhat formulaically?
It’s the best way to get them started. I did not realize this at first, because I came from a generation of art students that was taught the opposite. However, it’s the method that gets them prepared for looser learning methods later. I tell my kids to “draw what you see.” Then I show them how to see. The main drawback of this program is that there’s no progression of skills. The drawings don’t get progressively harder, some are just a little harder than others. I also wish I could teach them some complimentary methods such as blind contour drawing.

What were the positives (for you as a teacher)? The negatives?
I am glad I had the experience. I will be going into a teaching credential program next year with that experience (plus adult ed) under my belt. I also enjoyed being with most of the kids, although I really do not enjoy dealing with discipline. Constantly halting a lecture to ask students to stop talking is exhausting – I’m still learning how best to deal with this. The part I enjoyed most was that I was teaching art and I got to see pretty good results for my efforts. I think the program provides something the schools stopped providing a long time ago. I just think it can be done better.

Are there any questions I should be sure to ask in my interview?
How long has this franchise been in place? Is it stable? How many teachers are currently employed? How many classes are scheduled, at how many schools? How many total students are enrolled? Are the school employees receptive or not to your presence (this is a for-profit venture – some education-types have a problem with that even though it’s providing a valuable service)? Are the teachers whose classrooms you use receptive or not (I have one teacher who treats me like I’m a real pain, although I do my best to keep her classroom intact)?

My last day teaching for Young Rembrandts will be tomorrow. Our local director is likely going to sever her tie with the franchise this summer. She’s suffering financially after beginning the program here last August. She's considering starting a similar program on a not-for-profit basis, and I may help her build curriculum.