I got laid off....

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   Dorsiposted 14 years ago

   I got laid off from a job I love! Teaching art to kids. I'm so bummed. I've only been there 5 months but I LOVE my kids and am going to miss teaching them so much!!! It was only part-time but it was such a joy.
   Registration is down because of the economy so it's the ax for me!!!
   Sob Sob. What a bummer.....

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      goldentoadposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      that sucks Dorsi. I get scared all the time. I don't know what I'd do.

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      ProCWposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Dorsi... here's a little idea for ya...
      
      Teach art online on your own site...
      
      You could do it & stamp your adsense right on it...
      
      Best of Luck!!!
      
      ProCW

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         Mishaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         That's a good one
         I would even go that far as to ask - why don't you start teaching them yourself, at your home? You have the group already, contact the parents, and make them an offer
         It's a great business opportunity, and fun opportunity, too

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      Patty Inglish, MSposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Art and music are important in developing the brains of children as a precedent to learning mathematics and at the same time as language in order to build a personality with a particular cultural context. Budget cutters don't like hearing that.
      
      Can you find a rec center or church that would not charge you rent, where you could teach for a reduced fee, since no overhead?
      
      Could you contact a local art school or arts group and receive help from them, say in being included in a grant under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act or a city block grant?
      
      The loss of art is tragic. I'll never forget this one -- As a child, I wanted to become an artist, but teachers and parents threw a fit about it being a waste of time; and art programs were cut anyway. When one of my pieces won an award in 4th grade, one parent destroyed all the rest of my work for 4 years, at which point I was not permitted to have any more art materials.
      
      America! -- Do not let this happen to children. Please support arts and music in the schools, community centers, rec centers, houses of worship, art institutes, and everywhere.

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      1. 87

         Dorsiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I know there is a reason for this happening. I had already been thinking about how could I teach art to kids that can't afford it? The company I worked for was a franchise, and because enrollment is down in the poorer areas they cut off all the classes, and only kept the classes going in the more affluent areas ( Danville, El Sobrante, Walnut Creek) I know it's a business for this gal but for me this is just another signal for the injustice that happens for kids when money is the issue. I have kids that have blossomed in my art class, kids that hardly spoke when I first started teaching them and are now chatterboxes. I see for myself the wonderful things that can happen for kids when they get to use their imagination and creativity.
         It's funny all these things you and others mentioned because I had already started thinking about these things a few months ago. I have a church home that would probably let me teach, and I don't know how to go about getting grants but I could learn.
         This is all new territory for me, but where this is a will there is a way.
         Thanks everybody for the uplifting comments, hugs and well wishes.

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            Quilligrapherposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Sorry Dorsi.  I hope things improve for you soon.  Now may be the time to approach church and civic groups in those poorer areas.  They may now be willing to fund programs to fill the void.
            Good luck.

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      earnestshubposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Dorsi, I feel sorry for you and the kids you taught. They will miss you. Australia is going through the same financial problems, and I am seeing talented people here losing their jobs as well. I hope you can find a way to see your way through.
      Love and best wishes to you.

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      Benson Yeungposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Dorsi, everything is happening for a good reason for people who can turn chicken left-overs into a chicken sandwich. We probably will end up seeing more and better hubs and other worthwhile endeavors from you. Cheer up.

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      sassychicposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Im really sorry to hear that you no longer have your dream job! Hey hold up your head and sing! jk. anyway its hard to grasp that so many educational districts are cutting preforming and visual arts form there circulum and such! hang in there!
      
      hang in there Dorsi!

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   bgpappaposted 14 years ago

   Sorry to hear that Dorsi. Hang in there.

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   Anna Marie Bowmanposted 14 years ago

   Sorry to hear that, Dorsi!  Best of luck finding another great job!!!!

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   Amy Gposted 14 years ago

   Sorry Dorsi~  That sucks.  HEY!  I'm unemployed too!  Come to Colorado and we'll be ski bums, and watch the world go by....
   Chin Up!  I know something has to give sometime - that applies to you too!

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   Anna Marie Bowmanposted 14 years ago

   Nope, Dorsi, don't head to Colorado!!!  Head to the beach with me!!!

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   Christoph Reillyposted 14 years ago

   That's a bummer, Dorsi.  Something else will come up.

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   sixtyorsoposted 14 years ago

   Sorry to hear about your bad news. I hope something good happens to you in it's place.
   Strength to your elbow!

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   Leta Sposted 14 years ago

   Don't worry too much!  I'm sure you'll find something else--good teachers are needed everywhere.
   
   (How cool you teach art!)

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   ilovehubbingposted 14 years ago

   Sorry to hear that Dorsi - More hubpages then

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10. 81

    ripplemakerposted 14 years ago

    Hi Dorsi, that's sad news for the day.    I know what that feels like missing the kids and most esp. since it's something you love doing. 
    
    This may not make it alright..but for now..I hope this helps.
    
    

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    Dame Scribeposted 14 years ago

    Sorry to hear that Dorsi ... passes a tissue ... maybe you can offer art tutoring after school?

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    Teresa McGurkposted 14 years ago

    Dorsi -- sorry to hear your news.  Hope you find something you love just as much, if not more.  Take care of yourself -- Teresa.

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    shaiyaposted 14 years ago

    Sorry about the news...i wish you good luck with the teaching at home idea ..

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    Patty Inglish, MSposted 14 years ago

    Amazing. we had an art therapist in our summer program for at-risk youth a few years back and the art classes helped the middle kids raise their reading levels.  2-3 grade levels each, up into the 6th grade level. They had art classes a couple hours 5 days a week and their essays went from 5 words to 2 paragraphs long.
    
    Dorsi, I think you are meant to make inroads for the less-advantaged and kids in general with arts and all my hopes go with you.
    
    Patty

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    Marisa Wrightposted 14 years ago

    Good luck with turning this negative into a positive, Dorsi. You've got the right attitude!

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    LondonGirlposted 14 years ago

    Sorry to hear that, Dorsi. Best of luck finding another job even better than this one.

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    ilovehubbingposted 14 years ago

    Hum, not to set a trend but maybe we could do a hubmob on learning art from home and talk about you to promote your new business ?

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    SweetiePieposted 14 years ago

    Can you sign up to substitute teach in your area?  You could specify to sub for high school art classes and elementary.  As a sub I used to do arts and crafts related activities with my students when the teacher's lesson plans ran out.

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       Patty Inglish, MSposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       That could be a good idea!

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    Shirley Andersonposted 14 years ago

    I'm sorry about your news, Dorsi.  Hopefully, some of the suggestions here will work for you.  I know a woman who provides art therapy for children, and I don't think she has any special credentials.
    
    Patty, your story broke my heart!

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       Patty Inglish, MSposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I want to prevent this from happening to today's and our future generations of children. We need to support arts and artists.

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          SweetiePieposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          I agree.  It is sad that the most reward and helpful classes are the first to go, such as art and music programs.

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20. 87

    Dorsiposted 14 years ago

    Wow everybody you have certainly encouraged me and given me things to think about. I don't have a teaching credential for this, I have always done art my whole life though, and am also a story-teller, and the thing with the kids became the most natural thing in the world for me. I have started my own type curriculum that I made up.  Before we draw I take the kids on an imaginary trip in their mind, I call it the field trip. They close their eyes and imagine the picture I've put before them. Today was a skier so so I said close your eyes, and we "went" to Tahoe where we all built snowmen and skied, and I said lets all go back now and draw what we saw. They are amazing, the things that they can imagine. I tell them the whole story with sound effects and everything, then they draw the picture and add whatever they want.
    I couldn't even tell them yet about the art class being canceled, and it hurt so bad today. I almost felt like crying. I had 5 little 1st graders today, and they call me Miss Dorsi. They are like little art angels.
    Hey, I could call the new business that- Art Angels!!!
    hmmmm...........

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    Shirley Andersonposted 14 years ago

    Art Angels....I love the name!  The wheels are starting to turn, you're coming up with a plan.

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    Rochelle Frankposted 14 years ago

    I sustitute taught for 15 years on a "provisional credential". I had to pass a comprehensive test, and I had to have a B.A. degree in an "appropriate" field. I guess Art History was appropriate enough.

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23. 87

    Dorsiposted 14 years ago

    Hey great news!! I've been "unlaid" off. Instead of losing all my classes I only lost one so I still have 2 classes!! Yippeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    I'm not really unemployed now!

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       mdvaldostaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       That's awsome. You know I watched an excellent TV special about how our country (the US) is behind other countries in regards to innovation and education, and largely was contributed to the lack of an empahsis on art programs in school (which encourage creativity). I enjoyed art class in elementary school, too bad it was largely dropped in middle and high school in my area. I might have turned out to be more "creative."

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    Mishaposted 14 years ago

    I like that. Good luck!

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