Exit Stage Left: Looking Back

by Elizabeth Van Allen  for scribblesbyartteachervanallen.blogspot.com

Ms. Bowe's class greeted me in the hallway before our last class
with these wonderful poster-sized cards.  What a nice surprise!

Saying that parting is such sweet sorrow is only half of the story.  I have spent half my life and all of my teaching career in and around the city of Philadelphia.  As you could imagine, my mixed feelings are taking me on a roller coaster of emotion: sad to leave my students but happy to be able to give them closure, excited for the move (and the warm weather) while dreading more packing.  

My fairy art mother alter-
ego, expressing her feelings 
through interpretive dance.

As I look forward towards my move South and into a new chapter of my life, I feel a need to reflect on my experiences in Philly.  Although these feelings would best be expressed through interpretive dance, the art form tends to lose much of it's impact when experienced through the magic of the interweb.  Instead, I present to you a fond retrospective in words and pictures of my experiences teaching urban youth over the past 12 years.

Fellowship and professional development
with colleagues at the Philadelphia
Art Teachers' Alliance- I'll miss you guys!

  

Join me in looking 
back at some 
memorable moments 
and lessons learned from the not-so-everyday life of this Philadelphia art teacher!

Unforgettable 

Student Quotes:

You old. Not in a bad way, in a non-menopause way. (I was 24)

As a teacher of ages 5-16, I've found that 

 it's important to keep a sense of humor!

Me: (in a silly tone to a student) 
I can't find my attendance binder.  Do you know where my binder is?  Did you steal it and eat it?  Were you hungry?
Student: (Deadpan, completely serious & looking me in the eye) 
No Ms. Van Allen, I don't eat that kind of stuff.  It gives me a stomachache.

My favorite piece of graffiti from 2016:
"we all love math" (written in pencil)

Ms. Van Allen, you tickle my brain. You tickle my heart too. A 2nd grader's response to a silly comment that made her laugh 

Words of wisdom: Invest
in good-quality, comfortable
shoes and always use insoles

This is imaginary.  You know, like Michael Jackson.

Whoah- Ms. Van Allen, your seating charts look like battle plans!

Wardrobe: an oversized button down shirt that has tiny typewriter-style letters scattered in a random pattern.
Setting: The main office
Student: (creeping closer to me as she squints at my shirt, she looks up and smiles) "Ms. V, you look like one giant word search!"

This wonderful student and I share
an appreciation for punny wordplay

"You need Jesus.  No, you need Buddha.  No, you need Tom Cruise."  -8th grade boy to a classmate

Me: What is the meaning of the word 'original'?
Student: Plain!
Me: Hunh?
Student: You know, like original potato chips!

Words of Gratitude:

Tip: An ounce of prevention is 
worth a pound of cure.  If you 
give students a way to be 
positively recognized they 
will take you up on your offer!

Dr. Jeffery L. Brown- for giving me my first real job in education by bringing me into the Girard College family.

Christine Enedy- for all your support and having patience with me as a very green and starry-eyed new teacher.  I would have been lost without your support!

Tessie Varthas & Emilee Taylor- In a district big enough to really make you feel like a number, you made me feel special.  I don't know how, but you both remembered my full name, where I used to teach, and my strengths every time we met.  Your unwavering support kept me from giving up when times got tough! 

My twin brother- just ask our 
students, they know!

Rasheed Clark- My long-lost twin brother (Mom's from China & Dad's from Uzbekistan) and my personal version of Luther the Anger Translator (link is unedited), your unwavering support and our shared sense of humor & classroom style have helped keep me going since the days of Captain Ankle Pants, Jeffy-Poo and FiFi.  Sorry to leave you as the last man standing, but 'scuze me- can I ask you a question? 

When an angry student breaks the
phone off the wall, a good friend is
someone who fixes the problem by
turning it into a work of art!

Ginna (NEWSOME!) D'Alba- 
I miss having you in my kiln room/your office.  Good friends are a rare treasure and finding one of my best friends through work was a wonderful adventure.  Thank you for everything- especially fixing my phone & turning it into a site-specific installation piece!  The question "where do you keep your duct tape?" will never have quite the same meaning again.

Don't be afraid to get a 
little wacky, it keeps the 
students on their toes!

Deb Klose- Thank you for showing your faith in me through your actions and always being in the art teachers' corner!

Ivy Lewis- You were the first Principal in the PSD that encouraged me to push my practice to the next level.  Thank you.

Dr. Andrea Coleman-Hill- It takes a true leader to know when to let that teacher do his or her own thing.  Thank you for trusting me and giving me what I needed to succeed for the past three years.

My Rhodes Family- Never forget that all of the energy and time that you put into your work is worth it.  What you do is not easy and each one of you earns your weekends, but I have seen the impact that you have made on every single child in our care.  Please remember that you are making a difference every time you show a student that they are valued, even if sometimes they behave as if they don't believe it.  Take care of yourselves and thank you for your understanding and respect in regards to what I do with our students in the art room.

To my students: 

Over the last three years you have earned my love and respect.  I took a chance in letting you know about my departure almost two months in advance because it was the right thing to do.  I wanted to give you some closure because I've seen how it affects you when adults leave without warning.  I was honest and up-front about my reasons for leaving, and you repaid me with good questions, kindness, and understanding.  You took this opportunity to once again show me why I come to work every day with a smile.  As you move on with your lives, I ask you to do one thing: live your lives with respect.  When you speak and act with respect it will come back to you through the actions of others.  Do this because you are worth it.  I believe that you are, and you should too.

What is one of your favorite memories from the art room?

Share with me by commenting below, please include your name so I know who you are!

*All students pictured gave consent through guardian-signed photo releases*