At 6:30 pm on the 29th marked the last day I stepped into the school, the last day of my students and their pieces of paper. My art class concluded with a short squeaky sound on the board, smiles, laughter, and applause. My mission was accomplished!
Teaching is not only about educating, but also learning from your students… – R. Guadalupe
The class began, surrounded by 22 new faces, from all ages to all places. We held on tight with 8 students maximum during the last days. I remember my first day, I was nervous as hell. How was I supposed to relate to all these students? I took a 5-minute break, breathed a couple of times, and broke off the ice with a simple introduction. Who was I, what did I study, and what was I pursuing. My dialogue jumps from my life, animation 2D to video games. I even brought my merchandise and portfolio. These kids were hooked!
Whenever I had free time I would prepare my stuff, examine my notebooks for reference, and reunite with my Master to rehearse the basics. Every week I traveled twice to Aguas Buenas, gave the lessons, and returned home late at night; either to wash some clothes or just to sit in the dining room with the girls and talk about the sessions. From time to time my students would give me ideas whenever I ran out of juice, or I just had the urge to spice things up.
I still haven’t hit that spot that most teachers develop with their students when they perform their labor for decades. At least, I haven’t reached the perspective or experience from my Master’s. You see? He is an amazing human being, with an inner child that causes him to be surrounded by kids. He has a charm that attracts them, I even witnessed the way he interacts with his students, just like he is another kid in the room.
I always said to my students the following: Art is a process that must be respected and your only competition it’s you.
I have concluded my semester satisfied, because I did something that I love, got involved with new minds, and accomplished another milestone. I am forever grateful to the system and to my Master, thank you so much!
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