What would make a good art teacher?

[debannaphone]

so currently I'm taking art classes outside of my high school, because i've just now decided to major in art. but the art classes outside of school is taught by this woman who my parents says works at the Chicago art institute. I really don't know if she's a good teacher or not. all she does is tell me to draw random things, and then critiques on them at least once or twice and doesn't really give any advice. thats all she does but she does give some advice about art colleges but im there for 2 hours and have pay her at least $75 dollars for those 2 hours plus its a 2hour drive there and back. i can't tell if this is just the way art teachers teach, or if shes just a bad teacher and ripping me off. can i get some advice!

[Singular]

She should definitely be guiding you on proper technique, teaching you about theory and giving you a solid foundation. Are you learning how to draw when you are with her or are you just drawing?

[Lisa Larrabee]

No, that is not just the way art teachers teach, although I have had many teachers that taught almost exclusively through critique, so don't underestimate that significance of a good critique. However, there are great artists that cannot communicate well to instruct others. Is your work getting better? That is a pretty good indicator.

[ehoeveler]

Right - I think if it's a free form set-up the teach
needs to have an idea of what the student is trying
to achieve and then help them reach that goal with
guidance and instruction.
If your instructor just walks around and then gives input,
the input should be informative and helpful.

[rhknigh]

It certainly sounds like a passive form of teaching. If it is not working for you, as in you don't feel you are getting out of it what you need, try to find a more hands-on and instructive teacher. Are her critiques at least informative as in you learn to be better from them? Might want to supplement your creative learning with some teaching books that have good reviews and peruse the web for videos. A lot of artists have little "teaching vids" showing how they do a particular technique on their blogs/webpages. Not all artists are teachers, just like not all teachers are artists.

It is one thing to know how to do something, in this case art vs teaching. Being able to teach effectively, well it is more than just critiquing in my opinion. You can get critiqued on this forum for one thing. Teaching is a degree in it's own right for a reason. A degree in Education with art included. One might even argue that teaching is an art in its own right...

[benitasinn]

The best educators learn right along with their students.

Art Glass Vase