Come on, Teacher, Get Dirty!

I totally get that some teachers do not choose to show students their examples of finished projects (you want a student to think independently and to make their own creative choices), but personally, I think it's so important to work with your students and demonstrate every project with them.  They love having a hands on teacher who is not afraid to make mistakes and to get her/his hands dirty too!  I enjoy showing my young artists my steps along the way for better or for worse (rough and final drafts), so that they can feel inspired and empowered to incorporate their own amazing ideas into whatever project we are working at the time.

Oh yeah, and obviously I keep my "art shirt" handy in the case of painting days and oil pastel days too.. you just never know.  Don't even get me started on how many times a week I look in the mirror to find my face with streaks of paint from who knows when.. though even worse is when someone at the grocery store notices before I have a chance to see for myself!