Anderson, Tom : Florida State University in Tallahassee
Tom Anderson is a professor and former chair of the Department of Art Education at Florida State University in
Tallahassee. His research interests include aesthetics and art criticism, the social foundations of art and education,
and field research.
Summary
What does it mean to be an art teacher today? What do art teachers do, what do they believe, what do they value,
what obstacles do they face? In this day-in-the-life account, six art teachers provide a realistic picture of what
life as an art teacher is really like.
Real Lives is not a book about curriculum or learning theory, although these topics are discussed. Instead, it
is grounded research exploring the narratives of good art teachers who are the heart of good art programs everywhere.
These teachers work with African American, White, Hispanic, privileged, and challenged populations across all grades
in urban and rural locations from Oregon to Florida and from Texas to Minnesota. In addition to better understanding
these teachers� drives, rewards, and frustrations, readers will learn more about specific issues and themes in
the field, such as common instructional strategies, discipline techniques, routines, art content, and the logistics
of materials and tools in a realistic, nonformulaic way. Some of the core issues raised are addressed as questions
to promote further study and discussion in Chapter 8.
All action, including teaching and learning, is rudderless without a reason. Together, these stories provide both
an impetus for future art teachers to develop their own philosophies about art education and a crucible in which
seasoned teachers may test existing outlooks.
Table of Contents
1. Of Stories and Their Meanings
2. John Ingebritson: Master of Aphorism
3. Elizabeth Willett and Company: Cooperative Vision Deep in the Heart of Texas
4. Jean Price: Changing with the Times
5. Maria Sarduy: A South Florida Perspective
6. Gayla Buyukas: Teaching Art in an Urban School-to-Work Program
7. Donald Sheppard: Shepherd to the Community
8. Study Guide
