About | theartcart

About Myself and My Mission

Hello! My name is Erin and I have been a special education art teacher in the lovely ocean state for over four years. I am currently finishing my Masters of Art Education at Boston University (one class and one thesis to go!) I love to travel and explore interesting places all around the world (check out my personal travel blog hers&history) When I am not teaching or traveling I love to cook, read, poke around antique shops for weird things- and anything outdoorsy - I wear many different hats, and socks (I have Van Gogh, Munch, Frida, and Klimt socks!) These are my art teaching related experiences.....Welcome :)

Why am I Writing This & Why am I Doing This?

There are many fantastic art blogs floating in the inter-webs, but the majority are written by teachers who work in one building, in one classroom (I bring the "classroom" to my students) with mainly typical students. I would like to share my experiences as a travelling educator, working in a private school with students of all ages on the autism spectrum, and yes, I will explain the ups and downs of being an Art-Cart Lady (the struggle is real!)

After working for a few years as a Behavior Technician for students with severe/profound autism, I was opened up to a world of teaching that I didn't even know existed. I've worked "in the trenches" so to speak, one on one with students with severe behavior issues. I have had many stressful days where I didn't feel like I was "getting through" or that I somehow failed the student. At the end of the day every teacher wants to feel important, or that they made a difference. It takes a special kind of person to be a special needs educator, and I wanted to celebrate what everyone in this field does. Like most teachers who are perfectly cut-out for their craft, I LOVE my students and I thrive on those moments where I can see LEARNING take place.

Why teach ART, when there are other more "important" skills to learn, you ask? Well, as most art teachers all across the board know, defending our field is part of our skill set, so I usually keep my answers for these kinds of questions in an imaginary holster on my hip. (I've had it since college when I needed to defend my choice of major in Fine Art). Students (typical and special needs alike) are corralled like cattle all day through rigorous schedules, and step by step instructions, but just as important as these things are for student development, there is a need for loosening the reigns and allowing the student's mind to think for itself, to wander, and to daydream- this is how creativity, originality, and innovation happen. Art Class may not be in any of my student's IEPs, but I get to see amazing skills that other teachers typically wouldn't see. Sometimes you need to have an absence of instruction in order to see a student's hidden potential.