This document provides tips for art teachers and student teachers on presenting themselves professionally. It recommends dressing professionally and avoiding revealing clothing. Teachers should also be careful about tattoos, piercings, and social media privacy settings. The document stresses arriving early and being prepared for job interviews. It suggests subbing as a way to potentially get a full-time job but only if it does not take away from the job search. Overall, the tips are meant to help art educators make positive first impressions and presentations of themselves.

1. First Impressions Count!
By
Maureen Caouette BFA, MEd, CAGS
2011 National Middle Level Art Educator
Past NAEA Elem. Div Dir.
2006 Mass Art Educator of the Year
Ralph Caouette BFA MA, CAGS, ABD
NAEA Research Commission
NAEF Trustee
Past NAEA Secondary Div Dir.
2004 Mass Art Educator of the Year

2. The 3 Bs
or
Saying no to:
Boobs, Butts and Bellies –
A short guide to the new and interesting
world of an art teacher

3. So…. You are now an:
Art teacher,
Student Teacher
Practicum Student
Pre-practicum student
But you are no longer the
studio slave, who can
only care about their art
…….you now must
present yourself
professionally….but is
this the answer?

4. Personal Assessment:
The objective is to get a job so you
can make a difference in a child’s
life.
Follow these directions…

5. You may work with children…
This is not camp,
the locker room, or
the lounge…
professionalism
gets noticed and
respected by
students and
faculty.

6. First…Be Yourself! Butt….
Keep your undies under your clothes

7. Slippage does happen….
Clothes should fit you
within a size
Wear a belt
No sagging below your
hips
Bend, squat, and reach
before you leave for
school…check out before
you check in to school.

8. Pretty, yes but not professional

9. Tats should be private

10. Say ‘No’ to Crack
in the front or the back!

11. Yes…Art teaching
can be physical
save it for the weekend or the

12. Yes, wear comfortable shoes, not
your studio shoes

13. And not your dancing shoes!

14. Or your beachwear either.

15. Leave the tee shirts for the studio

16. Bring a paint shirt or lab coat

17. Or purchase a NAEA apron
Aprons come in a
variety of shapes and
sizes and are super to
put on for any task.

18. And the hoodies too

19. Take out all facial piercing!
And tone down the perfumes and lotions

20. Be careful with your butts
if you smoke, keep it private or better yet – QUIT!

21. Hats are for later
even if your students can wear them
And no beer logos on ANYTHING

22. Jeans, ripped or not are for the
studio, even if some teachers wear
them at your school.

23. So, remember to bend and
stretch and see what hangs out
Before you leave for school.

24. Communicating
Clean it up! Check on all sites!

25. Cell Phones
Most schools
have a policy on
visible usage of
cell phones and
electronics -
ipods, pads etc
Voice Mail should
be assessable

26. Music to whose ears?
Your ring tone,
cell phone
waiting music
and anything that
is audible does
represent you.
What goes
around comes
around….

27. Computer usage
Is your personal email
address appropriate?
Clean-up your
facebook account and
check what is out
there on you
Your personal life
should stay
personal.

28. Eyes and Ears are on You!
Most districts have
access to your
computer and all
correspondences are
archieved for up to 7
years.

29. Be a role model
Be early Inside and outside the
classroom, eyes will
Be prepared be watching you.
Be positive In many states, you
can be dismissed in
Be involved the first 90 days for
Be a teacher anything and not
rehired at the end of
each of the first three
years.

30. You are not losing who you are:
You are entering a
selection process and
you never want it said
that you still look like
a college student.
Yes, even teachers
are judged by the
‘cover’ they present.

31. Now…Tips on Getting Hired!!!
Get all the training you can. Attend
workshops and put that on your resume.
Get certified in more than one area…
Special Ed, ESL, etc.
Mention all the RECENT training you’ve
had in the job interview.
Attend all teacher conferences & job fairs
that you can afford

32. Join NAEA,
start a student chapter

33. Focus on what you bring to the school
community.
Try and turn any perceived fault into a
positive.
 No experience = clean slate ready to learn
YOUR way. No bad habits. Eager to learn.
 Older teacher = you get all the life experience
and wisdom of a veteran teacher for the cost
of a brand new one!

Know & Show
Know the age & levels you are
interviewing for, bring an actual piece of
student artwork to the interview

34. Subbing….
Should I substitute?

Can be a sure fire way to get hired.
 Can be a HUGE waste of your time if you
choose the wrong school!
Make sure there will be positions available.
WORK YOUR BUTT OFF. Stay and clean the
room before you go. Teachers will want you back.
Always check in with the office at the end of the
day.

35. To sub or not to sub….
So why NOT sub?
 Subbing eats your time.
The GOAL is to help kids.
To help kids you need a job!
 My advice is sub only if you can’t get a job
any other way, but if you do sub… be the
VERY BEST SUB!!!
 If you are a long term sub, attend all dept.
meetings and professional development

36. Afterschool programming
Start an art club
Work on the school
play
21st Century
Afterschool programs
Art Museums
Be a visiting artist
Help with YAM

37. Take your resume to the school you are
interested and (if possible) meet the
principal and give it to her personally.
Stress to the secretary, receptionist, etc.
you are NOT wanting an interview, you
simply want 30 SECONDS to shake hands
and introduce yourself
Wait if you have to!!!

38. Arrive EARLY for the interview
AGAIN - Dress professionally
(we don’t advise wearing jeans
even AFTER you get the job)
Smile and laugh (not a nervous laugh) so
they committee sees you as yourself
Keep your answers to the point and on
target…don’t showoff

39. Most teachers on the hiring committee are
more worried about whether you will fit in
on their team than whether you can teach.
Be careful about the question, “How does
art & teaching fit into your life?’

41. Don’t broadcast your shortcomings.
Be honest, but don’t say more than you
need to.
Some statements can instantly
kill your chances of getting
job!! Do your research,
bring notes and questions.

42. You are now part of the workforce
and an example to the youth of the
USA!
You are not a geek
You have a job!
You have a job that you
love!
You have health
care!!
You have a career
You are a working
Art Professional, &
an Art Educator

43. Top 10 Things to NOT Say
In an Interview
All of the following statements
were actually said
in
job interviews…

44. Top 10 Things to NOT Say
In an Interview
10) “A Rubric? Well, I know what an ‘A’ looks like!
9) “I need a job while I apply for grad school.”
8) “If you call me about the job, I won’t be home
this weekend. I’ll be on vacation in Florida.”
7) “I’m just curious, but does your district actually
do drug tests?”

45. 6) “If you hire me how soon (cough cough)
before the insurance kicks in?”
5) “Why Art Teaching? Well, I’m not really
good at anything else.”
4) “So what’s this job pay, anyway?”
3) “Will I have any afterschool duties?”
2) “Who takes care of discipline?”

46. The number ONE thing to not say…
“I just want the kids to love me...”

47. Thank you:
To our Anna Maria College undergrads & grads
To our graduate students at Fitchburg St Univ.
And to all former student teachers who have left
indelible images etched in our memory!
Some of the slides were adapted off of
slideshare.net
mgcaouette@gmail.com
caouettem@fitchburg.k12.ma.us
Ralph_caouette@wrsd.net

48. “ May you all touch the lives of
children in very special ways.
May you find the joy in teaching
that I have found all these
years. May you find a tiny bit
of wisdom in my words. May
you start off better prepared
than I ever was. May you grow
and bloom and make this world
a better place just for having
lived. May you all find a job.”
Kram Llahtneb ,
“ How’d I Do