POST 1: An intro to my WLE: January 6, 2010
I didn't go to Job Shadow Day because I didn't have a internship yet, instead I was at school working on finding an internship. I called a woman named Suzanne Gayle, whose an artist whose worked on murals and such in Hayward. The organization I'm working for is called Star Arts Studio and it's located 26775 Hayward Blvd suite D. Every Wednesday I'll be going with Suzanne and her co workers to a school to teach children about art, and I'll make my own lesson plan to teach them. I got my internship through Ms.B and had an interview with Suzanne told her about the program and she agreed to have me.
POST 2: January 20, 2010
On my first day I went up to the Star Arts Studios in the morning to help Suzanne prepare for some of the lessons she had planned for her classes, afterwards we and her co worker Kristen, drove to the elementary school to start our activities for the day. My first day went very well than I expected, even though there was a black out in the morning at the studio, the rest of my day was good. I did everything my mentor asked me, I did a great job with the kids, and I was polite, so I thought that impressed her. The only areas I need help with is learning all the kids names and how the lesson plans go. I was busy all day, drawing something, or getting supplies and keeping up with the kids, so it was impossible to have down time.
POST 3: January 27, 2010
From what I was told by Suzanne, I wasn't surprised by what I was in for.The environment is friendly and I never feel uncomfortable. One aspect I was surprised of, was how the kids were well behaved today. They were a little bit rowdy and noisy, but they eventually calmed down. Today I learned how to reach out to the kids that hated art projects by drawing a couple iconic characters like Optimus Prime and Spiderman. They just gathered around and watch me draw all day, they stopped yelling and ask me to teach them, and questions were flying at me constantly. Next week I'll be putting together my own lesson plan, and start teaching the children how to draw characters like Batman, Spongebob and so on, and see what goes from there.
POST 4: February 3, 2010
I wonder if my new intern will actually listen to what everything I need to tell him/her, and actually do as I tell. Today I thought Suzanne was thinking of the lesson plans I had put togehter, and wonder if it would go alright or smooth, especially with the rowdy ones who disrupt the other children. I think the ways I impress my mentor are the ways I follow the directions, and how I'm patient with the children. One thing my mentor wants to learn about me is my history with art and how I became the artist I am today. I think Suzanne talks about how helpful I am, how good I am working with the children, and how impressive my artistic abilities are despite my age and the fact I learned everything on my own without anyone's guidance.
POST 5: February 10, 2010
I'm using the Manage Projects Effectively Leadership skill to get all my lesson plans for the children ready every week with new lessons every Wednesday I'm there. I also use the Communicate Effectively/Persuasively skill to get all the children who aren't into art, to actually draw a picture, and it works. I use all of the Leadership skills when the time is appropriate to get the children to work and to get me through the day without any problems or situations to cause a problem. As an intern my role is very different from a student. I'm much more patient especially with the children, I do what I can to help everyone even my mentor and her assistant, and I volunteer a lot more to help when I can.
POST 6: Grading Myself for WLE
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POST 7: Analyzing My Workplace
Every Wednesday up at the studio, it's very small. Just myself, Suzanne, and Christine are there preping in the morning for our afternoon with the children. But once we're at the school, the number jumps from 3 to 35 because of all the children. My business size differs because it's smaller at first, then it becomes larger later and goes from calm and tranquil, to chaotic and loud. I know a couple of friends of mine work with children as well so they know how chaotic it is, but for some others it may be entirely different. Suzanne is the boss so me and Christine report to her. But I report to either Christine or Suzanne when I need assistance. I would say me and Christine are happy with our boss. There's no arguments and laughter is always around, so we don't have any problems. My workplace is professional especially at the studio, where somtimes customers may come in and ask questions or buy something. At the school it's very chaotic so it's not that professional, but our lesson plans are. The working environment is very good. Great at the studio because it's quite and easy to get work done. At the school it's not so bad. It's loud but I can get through the day without getting any major headaches or my hair pulled out.
POST 9: March 17, 2010
Today I taught my new lesson with shapes, and I taught them the basics of circles, squares and things like that. My mentor was outside painting with the children and having a laid back day with them. Right now I'm putting together my final project for them before I leave, and this willl be done over the next couple of weeks. The project will have them draw a picture of a character they like, ex: Spider-Man, Transformers, etc. and make it on a huge piece of paper, then they'll paint it and take it home to have. This will be a real project that last for weeks as compared to the lesson plans we did for just a day, and this'll benfit my workplace because we can get valuable feedback from the parents that like the paintings and getting the studio a good look.
POST 10: March 24, 2010
I work from 10am to 4pm, so that's a total of 6 hours I work. I don't have my time sheet with me, but I know I worked for about 55 hours so far, I did miss one day of work so I'm going to have to make those hours up on Tuesday at the studio and Friday's sometimes. I'm willing to work all week on spring break, to make my hours up, but Suzanne says that everyone will be busy and that know one will be at the studio, so I'l have to figure something out before May 5th, or else I'm screwed. Today I went over the schedule with the kids about what we're doing the next couple of weeks of my last project together. Suzanne was outside with the kids making bubble machines for them to use. So what we did was review more drawing techniques using shapes so they'll be more comfortable using them, and the majority of them did. I haven't forgot about the exhibition so Christine took some pictures of me and the children working so I can use them for a slide show, as well as some of my drawing lessons that I have scanned to showcase at the exhibition.
POST 14: April 28, 2010
Today I didn't go to my internship at the Star Arts studio. My father hasn't been feeling well and he had to take care of some business. So it's only me, him, and the baby there, so I help out immensley. The weather wasn't good this morning either, with hail and all, and since we don't have a car any longer, he couldn't take me. So I stayed home and watch the baby and clean the house for the day. Next week is my last week for my internship, it's been so long since we started. I will miss the children at the school and Suzanne and Christine. We'll be having a party next week for me for when I leave. I have enjoyed my time with the Star Arts studio and I wish the best for them.
POST 15: May 5, 2010 Last Day
I have enjoyed my time working with Suzanne and Christine at the Star Arts Studio. The two of them are really creative artists and really nice. I love seeing their work all around Hayward and I'm excited to see what they come up with next. They taught me how to be hard working, especially with children, and how to be a good teacher. Unfortunatley I'm 6 hours short of the work that needs to be done, because I've been helping my family get through some tough situations that calls for my assistance, and family comes first. Even though I didn't complete 100 hours total, I believe I deserve credit. Balancing family/friends, school, and outside work can be demanding, especially for my age. But I did do the project with the chldren over the course of the months I've been working on and that's more important. I had fun with the children and I'll miss them. I'm currently getting my exhibition presentation together so I'm prepared for next month. I would like to thank Suzanne and Christine for all they have done for me, and I wish the best for them and the Star Arts Studio.
