When I walked into my figure drawing class last Wednesday morning, if anyone had started talking to me I would have cried, no doubt. It seems this may very well be my last semester teaching at NSCAD. It will be very hard not to have this in my life. It’s been so much a part of what I do for the past twenty years. I love teaching figure drawing the most. It’s my favorite, but I enjoy teaching. Mostly it’s the students that make me enjoy it so much. They give me as much if not more than I can ever give them. Not only do I enjoy learning what they have been exposed to, what they know, but also being a part of their lives, teaching them to see their work more clearly. And I also like to see the latest in young fashions and hear their thoughts.
But . . . the Union (with pressure from the administration) voted in Mandatory Retirement a couple of years ago and I’m a casualty. Even though I am part-time (which means no vacation pay, no sick leave, no dental plan, no benefits, less pay for the same work). I don’t want to stop teaching. But . . . maybe it’s time. I keep telling myself little things. Like: one door closes; another one opens. And things like that. But I have no idea what door is going to open or what’s behind it. Right now . . . it hurts. And it’s scary.
But then there is the up side: more time to paint, not having to drive into Halifax in the early morning traffic and often treacherous weather, more time to paint, not having to park Lila in Halifax so she won’t be in her kennel for too long, more time to paint, more time at home, more time to go to art events. I’ve been teaching year-round for twenty years. Hardly ever a summer off. So it would be nice to have a rest. But it is a steady income that won’t be happening. Painting is good, in fact it’s great, but it is not a secure income.
Some students are sending around petitions on my behalf. They had over two hundred signatures in one day (and it’s not a very big school). It’s very sweet of them. But rules are rules with this administration. One of my students is a professor at St. Mary’s University here. He said their faculty would strike over this.
I’ve heard several reasons why our past President Paul was so eager to have this mandatory retirement passed. It doesn’t really matter now. I’m slowly getting used to the idea. It’s a new world out there for me to discover.
I miss my students also. I like what I'm doing now with the archival work, but I miss the students. I keep my fingers crossed that one of these days registration will be up enough post-Katrina that they'll need half an instructor again.
Posted by: sue at October 28, 2006 08:21 PMHi Leya,
I have been teaching for 12 years, but stopped in 2001.
I was a teacher at The Academy of Art, at Graphic Art Academy and The Design School, for several years, until 2001.
But I wanted more time for myself, to paint, to travel and so on . . .
However, I started missing it, and then I started giving private classes at home, in my own studio!
It became a great success, I had only 8-10 students at one time.
Two classes, two days a week.
I first stopped when I really wanted to paint full time.
Perhaps you could do the same?
You could go on with the same students, on a privatte basis?
In your own home, or in a rented room in the city?
Just an idea . . .
All the best,
Elin
I've heard (and seen on TV) so much devastation from Katrina. Sorry your job was also cut, Sue. Hope it revives itself soon.
Elin, I've tried teaching in other venues and may again. I'm not sure yet if I will, but I do think about it.
Posted by: Leya at October 29, 2006 07:09 PM