Does art teacher have to equal artist?

[Ash5150]

So, I'm a junior, but I've changed majorS a few times so I feel like that doesn't even matter. I now know that I absoultelty want to work with little kids. Whenever I'm at school I miss my younger siblings like mad and when see kids around town I start grinning like an idiot and babling about how cute they are.
Anywho, so I've unnofficially changed it to art ed (it was dental before and broadcasting BEFORE that). I've always loved art and niffty crafts. Because of school and stuff I haven't had the time to really do much art work like I used to. I'm worried though that I'm not good enough to study in art. I can draw fairly well, but mostly anime stuff that I have to be looking a picture at in order to do. I haven't had any of my art classes yet though, but I'm still nervous. I don't want to be in school forever but I want the confirmation that this is what I should be doing with my life.

[Dez]

Art teachers don't have to be artists, really, I don't think. Maybe they do to teach COLLEGE art, but when it comes to elementary, middle, and high school art, I don't think so. The art teacher I had my freshman year of high school definitely wasn't an artist. xD

[Angel]

To be quite fair, no one really gets into art for the money. They have to hold some degree of appreciation for art to choose it as a career. The level you want to work at has to do a lot with it as well. I suggest you talk to the professor teaching the class and discuss this issue with him/her. I'm sure they will have a lot of insight to share with you, considering they've been down that road before.

[JKmadu619]

Does a gym teacher have to be an athelete?

As long as they have a basic knowledge and love of whatever they are doing, it doesn't matter.

- Justin

[Kate*]

I don't think art teachers have to be artists, as long as you know what you're talking about and can demonstrate what you want the kids to do you should be fine. Look at the course requirements for the major and see if it's something you could see yourself enjoying (at least most of the time, I think every major probably has classes that you'll hate).

[Dr.Bobby]

Originally Posted by Kate*

I don't think art teachers have to be artists, as long as you know what you're talking about and can demonstrate what you want the kids to do you should be fine. Look at the course requirements for the major and see if it's something you could see yourself enjoying (at least most of the time, I think every major probably has classes that you'll hate).

Ash, ^this.

It's not so much about your qualifications as an artist, it;s really the motivation. What i'm hearing is that you;re going into this primarily b/c of a sense of loss over something very personal (sibs!), which frankly is a truly lousy reason to dedicate your life to a profession.

Your feelings of loss, although understandable, are unduly affecting your career choice, and I'd highly recommend before making any drastic moves here, you sort it all out, perhaps in the Uni counselling ctr.

[Fairy Poppins]

Whilst I don't think your reasons for wanting to teach art to young children are "lousy", I do think you need to make sure it's really what you want to do.

You've already changed your major a couple of times. How do you know you won't change it again?

Having said that, I personally think art is fantastic for children. It gives them an alternative means of expression, it's therapeutic and it allows them to explore their imagination. It's basically awesome and I know from experience that doing art with small children is wonderful.

As for your question; no, you don't need to be an artist. You just need to be passionate about what you do.

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

You don't need to be an artist, you need to be dedicated and love the field of teaching art. That said, you need some art skills, otherwise, you cant exactly teach. I mean, if all you can draw is a half-assed attempt of a stick-figure, art may not be the best field but if you can draw or paint very well, you may be fine. In high-school, my art teachers had art skills but they were no Picasso. However, all of them had one thing in common: they loved teaching art even though they got crummy pay.

I wouldn't suggest you go into teaching art though because your only motivation is loss of seeing your younger siblings. Once you see them then start teaching art to kids, you have to ask yourself, will that motivation still be there? From what you described thus far, it will be gone.