I started teaching the Advanced Makeup Course at The New York School of Esthetics this past June 2012. From the first day I stepped foot into the classroom until this past Thursday when I left for the weekend, I have loved and had a natural passion for “the classroom.” I made a commitment to myself when I developed the curriculum for the Advanced Makeup Course approximately one year ago. The curriculum I developed is the only State approved curriculum in New York State. I vowed that students’ would engage in as much hands on learning as possible. I believe that every student enrolling in the Advanced Makeup Course with the intent, motivation and determination to take his or her makeup skills to the next level will learn most effectively in a “hands on” teaching method versus any other method.
I will never forget being classified as “Learning Disabled” in the second grade. Every day I would be taken from my elementary classroom to a “Resource Room” for “extra help.” It wasn’t until I began developing the Advanced Makeup Course curriculum that I questioned my “Learning Disability.” Perhaps I would have achieved academic success easier than I had experienced if the traditional classroom teaching style was altered. I am an Artist, I learn and think completely different than others. I learn by seeing, doing, hearing and repetition. It goes against my learning process to sit at a desk with a text book, note book and pen. I feel so fortunate for this Teaching Journey; to be able to offer my students the ability to learn in an environment that truly envelopes the learning process.
It must be nice to have that opportunity. Unfortunately, most classes are not art classes. In fact, from what I have heard, subjects such as art and music are being systematically eliminated from many schools due to budget restrictions. In addition, apparently most teachers today are compelled to work with a veritable "sword of Damocles" hanging over their heads in that, if an insufficient number of their students fail to pass standard tests, then the teachers could have their pay cut or even lose their jobs. As a result, in many cases, school today has been reduced to little more than the mere coaching of students to pass standard tests. I suppose that rather restricts the teachers in how they are able to conduct their classes.
We are the new Rome ... and on the same sluice to our own collapse.