As educators, we have the ability to instill a lifetime of curiosity and exploration in our students and gift them the tools to enjoy art for years to come. In order for growth to happen, freedom to play, encouragement of wonder, and acceptance of change are critical elements for learning and engagement. There is also much to be said about the lasting impression we make, as we hold a unique and incredible opportunity to change and influence students' lives. Being an educator comes with great responsibility and is a calling that can impact our students' lives for years to come.
Our long-term effect on students may forever be unbeknownst to us. Sometimes, though, a student returns and shares their story, and we come to the realization that we made a significant impact on their life. As an educator, this is humbling. It took a few years of teaching before I really noticed this understanding taking place. I started to understand that even the most straightforward comment made to a student could resonate with them years later. One such example comes from a former student I encountered while doing an art show of my personal work. She waited for an opportunity to enter my booth and began by asking, as most students do, if I remembered her. She then took me through some of her life accomplishments since she had been my student. She told me that my encouragement of her ceramic work when she was in my class was the only positive thing in her life at that time, and that was the push she needed to overcome thoughts of self-harm. She also told me how much she missed doing clay work and hoped to reconnect with it once her life settled down. I have always been very aware of the impact I could have on my students, but after that interaction, I began to be even more mindful of the words I chose around students and began to grasp the power and responsibility we have as teachers to be a positive force in our students' lives. A simple encouraging word can resonate with a student for the rest of their lives. On the other hand, thoughtless, less tactful comments can also damage students' confidence and leave them never wanting to explore the medium again. It is our responsibility to be cognizant of our students' needs and to always be aware of how we are reacting to the students' efforts and not just the result of their work.
