Good Teaching - defined
What makes a good teacher, is not necessarily the same as what makes a good ART teacher. Here’s my take on it.
Paying attention to what students say, versus what they really mean. Is not what most teachers can say they do. In a class of 20 or 25 students, nobody dares to be real, when the questions fly out of the teacher’s mouth, the students fear the fly, landing on their shoulder, expecting an answer.
I’ve met maybe 2 good teachers in my whole life, I am a terrible example of someone who’s lucky to have good teachers. I remember being asked in a job interview, to be an art teacher in a University, ; why do I teach? And I honestly answered, I said, I want to teach the way I was never taught. To be listened to, to be understood first, and not be ‘told what to do’ then be judged for whatever it is that I was not doing right.
Okay, so I didn’t get that art teaching job. It could be because I answer too honestly? But it could also be an unfitting job, maybe I was not seen as ready? Maybe? To this day, I don’t really know. What I do know is that my teachers were forgettable, unremarkable, except for One. Her name was Rose Bradford, she was the head of fashion design diploma course, or National Diploma course in Kent Institute of Art and Design, in Rochester, UK. She would challenge me, put me in charge of a group project when she saw me too introverted, too shy, when I don’t speak up, and she puts Tracy, the loudest most extroverted student in the class as my assistant. I was terrified. I was not comfortable. But I delivered what I could never thought possible.
The second good teacher I’ve met, was not a teacher at all. He was a life coach. He would drive me to the middle of a nature park, and told me to sit, in nature, and that he would be back later to get me. I was not told what to think, what to do, what to consider. I was left to do all those things on my own. I was not comfortable, I didn’t know what to do, I was feeling desperate when I arrive, and when he picked me up a few hours later, I no longer felt desperate. I was still confused, and my head was noisy, full of ‘shoulds’. That was how my head was most of my 30’s, Noisy full of Shoulds.
I am 52 years old now, and I’ve been an art teacher since 2010, I taught drawing, painting, illustrations, I supervised essays on fashion, I also taught fundamental in drawing using the right brain. At this point, I was still learning from other artists who teach. The latest one was Hazel Soan, an artist based in the UK and South Africa, who painted wild life. Her style of teaching was really sharing her intense passion for painting, she was so enthusiastic in specific ways, in her elaboration of her relationship with colours, and light, that I cannot deny the seduction.
A good teacher is someone who doesn’t realise they’re teaching. Someone who speaks from experience, who has lived experience so rich, you can tell just by the stories she comes up with. A good ART teacher who would share her wealth of experience without editing or holding back. She’s that person.
So here’s the difference I wanted to point at. A good teacher versus a good art teacher, both have the knowledge and technical skills, and knows how to express the hidden messages, the undertones, the psychology of a student is important, and I’ve had many teachers who does not consider their student’s entry point, whatever. They tend to be busy performing being a teacher, saying all the right things, even if it doesn’t apply to the students, or does not carry any depth or value.
Here’s a list of testimonials my students wrote through the years.
Here’s my question to you:
What kind of a teacher or mentor do you want to influence you?
How do you want to be influenced?
Check out my Mastrius artist mentorship group starting 26 October 2026 here
We meet once a month, for 2 hours, and then another 1 our for organization and homework management. It’s going to be game changing! I will be sharing my “audacious versatility’ curriculum, which will become a book next year, and it’ll hold your hand through artistic and creative walk you can use the rest of your life. It is not for beginners, it is for hungry, curious, and the ambitious hobbyist who struggle with lack of time, lack of ideas, frustration with not knowing what to do but want to do.
If this is you, I highly encourage you to check out the program. The limit is up to you!