A Personal (Art Historical) Timeline

James ElamART844

Spring 2012

I was shy and withdrawn, so I often drew. My drawings were based on imagination, not the world around me. I was using symbolism before I knew

what it was. More about the idea than the aesthetic.

Born in San Antonio, Texas to two educators. Every night at the table, every single day of the year, the discussion was about education. My summers were spent drawing and helping my

mother prep for the next year.

A math teacher in Jr. High saves me from being behind a grade

level, and brings me up to advanced level work.

The Paleolithic Period1972 -1980

The Archaic/Geometric Period1980-1990

Formative Years

I remember the names of only two of my teachers prior to

college: both are art teachers.

I become a painter. My work is surreal with a spiritual lean. I develop personal iconography. Magritte guides my eye. My painting is fair, my ability to talk about my work is outstanding.

I met a girl.

My parents tell me to never be a

teacher.

The Classical Period1990-1992 Del Mar College

The Hellenistic Period1992-1995 Texas A&M at Corpus ChristiBachelors of Fine Arts with All Level Teacher Certification

I sneak about behind their back to tutor people. I finally

tell them I want to be a teacher.

There are two types of people in my studio class. Those going to NYC, and

those who want to teach. I am the latter, and I am the minority.

College

I teach Art I and AP Drawing. I find that I love teaching noobs. What I want is to introduce and hook students into something new to them.

Artwork is now only done in the summers. My passion is teaching, but the ignored easel makes me feel guilty. This is a problem for me.

I met the right girl.

The Romanesque Period1995-2001Teaching at South San West Campus High School, San Antonio, Texas

Driven by something, I attend SCAD’s summer teacher program. What I wanted was to learn, but what I got was

nearly being burned out on studio.

I married the right girl. I share a career with the right girl.

First Teaching Job

I teach Art I and AP Art History. Art History becomes my passion. I continue to love to teach noobs. I work hard to build a Mecca in my cultural desert. Every year I convert more of the

masses over to art.

Artwork is now only done in the summers. My passion is teaching. I find myself thinking about units and lesson plans like I used to think about painting.

The Renaissance Period2001-2011Teaching at Harker Heights High School, Harker Heights, Texas

I meet a Rabbi who uses Futurama to teach Judiasm.

I learn something about teaching.

I now travel the world, kayak, jog, and save the world (virtual and real) with the right girl.

I meet a woman who asks questions to teach. I

learn something about teaching.

I begin to teach AP Art History. It in turn begins to

teach me.

Second Teaching Job

I become an AP Reader, and

become driven.

I am now the senior art teacher at a campus going through lots of changes. I worry about how to protect my co-workers and my program, and how to best serve our students. I have no actual

authority, so this is mostly just worry with no recourse.

I have finally grown comfortable with the idea that teaching is my passion and art production is my hobby. It took me a long time to get over that block. I am learning that being “just a

teacher” is actually pretty awesome.

The Baroque Period2012-Teaching at Harker Heights High School, Harker Heights, Texas

I will continue to travel the world, kayak, jog, and save the world (virtual and real) with the right girl. She is my inspiration and my support as I undertake this new task.

I am ready to pursue formal education again.

I am ready to plan for my future, for when High School is no longer the setting for me

(though I think it will be a long while).

Now