Any advice for someone completely new to teaching?
Hi there! I just accepted a position at a local community center as an art teacher (think YMCA sort of deal) and I'm not 100% sure what to expect. If im being honest, I dont know if i even count as a "real" teacher here as I have no background in education and am a Studio Art major finishing her senior year in college currently. I have five 45 min classes and a suuuuuuper wide range of ages. (2-4, 3-5, 6-8, 8-12, and 18+). I am unbelievably excited but greener than grass and have NO idea what to fully expect and would like to do all I can to prepare myself before classes start up.
Is there anything I should know/expect, any reading/recommended blogs/channels to catch up on beforehand? Im a little worried im going to be in over my head with this and would love people with real experience to help me set realistic expectations. If it helps, the class with the youngest children is a sensory art class, the next two youngest are air dry clay/clay, then a mixed media class, and an adult painting class. I really want to provide a fun and engaging environment for them.