“Every child is an artist, the problem is staying an artist when you grow up.” -Pablo Picasso

I get to be creative in my job as well.

In August it’s two years since I started working in an international school here in Sweden.

We have staff and students from all over the world. I love it. You get to know so much about other nationalities, their languages, their traditions…

It’s incredibly interesting!

In the mornings, during the lessons, I’m a Learning Support Assistant. That means that I’m mainly there for the students, that need a little extra help. Sometimes I’m also teaching myself, working with smaller groups of students.

Lessons end at 14:30 and that is the time when I move on to the After School Programme. Here, we take care of those kids, whose parents are working or studying themselves. We do that every day until 17:30.

Every Tuesday afternoon, I lead the Art Club. The kids are always super excited to see what activities I have planned.

And I just simply love to teach them different techniques, new materials and ways to create.

My main focus always is, to encourage the students to be brave, to believe in themselves and to follow their guts. Meaning, that I don’t want them to copy exactly what I did or explained. I want them to add themselves. Their own note.

You would be surprised, how creative and open-minded most children are! They always come up with ideas, that didn’t even cross my mind before.

But sadly there are also some, that constantly say things like:

” I can’t do that!”

” Oh no, mine is so ugly!”

” I’m terrible at that!”

And so on. Also, some constantly need my approval.

” Jenny, is that good?”

” What should I do next?”

” Am I done?”

I make sure to always say something positive about the process or progress of their work, without giving them the rating they are waiting for. Instead, I usually answer with questions back:

“Do YOU like it?”

“What do YOU like most about it?”

” Are you proud of yourself, for challenging yourself?”

” If you think you’re done, you’re done.”

I tell them, that the artist decides when he’s done.

Why I’m telling you all that? Well, because I will start to upload posts with inspirations of my work with the students as well. It is so satisfying to have an impact on the next generation. Helping them, to be their best selves, long-life-learners, open-minded and creative.

It’s the best job to be a teacher!