Obviously there are some, but… I’ve been reading around a little about different kinds of teaching careers. Art education seems like an interesting thing to study, but I’m concerned that art teachers may be even more underpaid than teachers of other subjects.
I’m personally not devoted to art as a career, but I have always enjoyed arts and crafts as a hobbyist and want to be a teacher, so I’m exploring different subject areas and opportunities related to the major. (I’m applying to SUNY—Buffalo State College, probably, and they have an art education program.)
I looked at AmeriCorps Artist Year and the poverty wages are somewhat concerning. Does anyone know if there are any types of schools, or something, where art teachers have better job prospects? I also looked at the big list of subject areas that different states and counties have teacher shortages in, (can’t remember the link… I could find it again if anyone’s interested), that qualify for the TEACH grant, and saw that supposedly there has been an art teacher shortage in some states like Vermont. I’m also curious if Teach for America has art education placements. Maybe it’s something to email them about.
Just wanted to start the conversation! Helping kids develop their creativity, sense of excitement about play and freedom, and self-expression sounds like a fulfilling teaching career— I just feel like so many arts-related professions are underpaid, so I wonder about how it would pan out after graduation. Looking forward to chatting about it with you guys.
I would argue that “good” opportunities also depends on what an individual is looking for in a career, and so your “No.” may be true for you, but three characters doesn’t give me a lot to work with.
My friend’s D graduated from New Paltz as an art major and then attended a CUNY for her masters in art education while teaching. She is now teaching at a private school in NYC and enjoys it very much.
My D was an education major at a SUNY and she told me that Teach for America doesn’t favor education majors. She never applied after attending some kind of forum or seminar on it because she felt the program disparaged those who chose to major in education. I have no idea if that is true, but it was her perception.
Also, be very careful with TEACH because not all majors and areas qualify for the loan forgiveness. I looked into it when my D was thinking of becoming a music teacher. We didn’t apply because I received a small inheritance that allowed me to pay for her school without loans but I don’t think that music was covered. She ultimately got her degree in early and elementary childhood with a concentration in music and a masters in special ed.
If you decide to major in arts education, consider getting your masters in special ed and/or becoming ABA certified or working with art therapy. Those things could expand your employability more than just the art degree.
K12 teacher salary varies from completely inadequate to solidly middle class, depending on the school district, qualifications (Masters degree, etc.) and the amount of seniority.
What doesn’t vary is that teachers in non-core subjects like art and music are the first to have their hours cut or be laid off when times are tight.
It seems to me that you are asking about art education/teaching, yet you are describing it as an arts and crafts hobby (not judging). There is a real curriculum to follow and there are art fairs displaying work, etc. Your work will always be judged…this is not a problem but it is something for you to think about. What I am saying is…I would think twice about becoming an art teacher if you are not devoted to art as a career. You seem to be describing art therapy with small children…which is a different career path and one that you may enjoy ( the salaries will likely be low).
Full time jobs as an art teacher are not easy to find. Many people patch together 2-3 part time jobs in order to have full time employment. Districts usually cut art and music in order to balance their budget, and offering part time work means that they do not have to give you health insurance. Of course there are exceptions and some find full time employment. It may help to be in a large district so that you could work at several schools within the district and possibly keep your insurance. The art teachers where I live are on the same salary scale as the teachers.
I would not count on Teach for America. It is highly competitive and they do not seek out education majors ( there may be exceptions). Additionally, the interview process for TFA does not revolve around teaching…that part of the interview is 5 minutes and you are “teaching” your peers. They “advertise” as looking for leaders who will come in and help reduce inequities in education. Most of the interview revolves around your experience with these populations and your experience with leadership roles, your ideas, etc. Some stay on as teachers, while many move on and go into law, medicine, policy etc. I may be wrong …but this does not appear to be something that you are interested in doing ( TFA is also a little controversial, but that’s another topic). If this is an interest of yours I apologize, and you may want to ask if they recruit from Buffalo State. TFA does not recruit from all of the SUNY schools. The TEACH grant is good if you work in a high needs area…you may want to research NYC Teaching Fellows. They hire education majors and I believe you would be on the DOE teacher salary.
Have you thought about early childhood education …given that you don’t see yourself doing art as a career? The NYC DOE hires early childhood educators and you would be on the teacher’s salary scale. This may work out because you can still explore art…yet not at the same level of intensity as an art teacher. Does Buffalo State have an art therapy major? Maybe you could double major in art therapy and early childhood education?
