A few weeks ago, I picked my son up from school. He was visibly upset, trying SO hard to hold back the tears until he was within the privacy of our car. Before he could shut the door, the dam broke. In-between sobs, he choked out a story about what happened in his 2nd grade art class that had made him this upset. That actually seemed to have crushed him a little.
He had to draw a picture of a person
He worked REALLY hard on his eyes, he stressed to me. He was enjoying this art project, which is a rarity for him, he’s never been an arts and crafts type of kid.
He worked on the shirt.
He worked on the background, needing help with the swirls that he was having a hard time with.
Then it was time for him to color the skin. He couldn’t find a skin color he wanted, or so he says. He was looking for white or tan. They were being used by his other classmates. So, he chose grey. To him, it didn’t really matter what color the skin was, after all, his entire class didn’t just have white skin anyways.
The teacher, when she saw how he had completed his project, got angry with him.
So angry because she didn’t like his color choice.
Not only did she humiliate my 2nd grade son in class but she also refused to hang his picture that he was fairly proud of, in the school hallway.
He was the ONLY child in his class whose picture she outright refused to display.
Because she didn’t like the color my son chose for the skin on HIS picture.
Which really, on so many levels, does not make sense.
The color of paper he chose for the entire person…it’s yellow.
He worked hard on two different colored eyes…just like he has. Something he is so proud of.
She also didn’t like the hair he drew so she made him redo it.
And isn’t the beauty of art in the eye of the creator anyways?
But forget that she is imposing her views of how art should be onto my child.
She REFUSED to hang his picture in the hall.
He’s in 2nd grade. 8 years old. A BABY.
That made such an impact on my son. She made him feel that he was worthless, that his picture was a disgrace not fit for human eyes.
After he told me all about this incident, he never brought it up again, it seemed to have been forgotten…
Until today…
When he brought the ostracized, rejected picture home with him.
He held it, crinkled in his hand, and thrust it at me.
“Here”, he said angrily, the upset resurfacing, “This is the ugly picture that my art teacher wouldn’t hang with the rest of my class. I suck at art Mom. Duh”
I looked at it and all I saw was this…
A picture fit to hang alone on a fridge, displayed for everyone to admire; not hanging in the school hall, lost amongst the other students pictures.
A creative, beautiful masterpiece, created by my child.
For an art teacher, she seems to have no appreciation for originality and creativity.
No wonder he doesn’t like her art class, he’s too advanced for it.
I think it’s wonderful, and that woman has no business teaching children at all.
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I am a designer, creative person blah blah blah. I can’t believe the way that teacher made your son feel. I hope he doesn’t carry that with him in life… But it sounds like a pretty painful and humiliating experience. I just had to jump into the conversation and urge you to go to the school board regarding this teacher. COMPLAIN. I’m not one to voice my opinions generally, but this story really upset me, also because I think you son is Advanced, and has a great eye for art. I love the detail in the swirls, the layers lol in fact his anger crumpling the paper gives it even more depth. I truly think it is an amazing art piece that I would hang in a frame as others have suggested! Also I wanted to jump on the Picasso band wagon. Please do your son justice and show him the works of early Picasso and then a few of his later abstract art. Ask him what he thinks his art teacher would critize about it, and prove to him how valuable every artist is expressing themselves. Hugs to you both! I think this story is even newspaper worthy, thank you for sharing with us. I hope you’ll share our replys with your son. Pinterest here I come 🙂
I LOVE that picture! And rather than hang it on your fridge, may I suggest you frame it? I framed a lot of my kid’s pictures and hung them on my walls so that everyone who enters sees my boys’ works of art! Which IS in the eyes of the beholder….MINE!
I hope you had a nice long chat with the Superintendent. THAT teacher needs a good “talking to” so that she NEVER does that to another child! That just breaks my heart.
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Absolutely frame it! Let this be a reminder that he never has to conform to what anyone thinks is art – or skin colour for that matter.
Karen Sugarpants´s last blog post ..A Question for The Masses
YES!!!! Frame it!! We’ve framed a few of our kids’ art projects and I LOVE having them on the walls of our home. So much better than the art we buy in stores.
That is an AMAZING work of art. Your son’s teacher CLEARLY missed lessons in… well… art teaching. I’m so disappointed in this story because of her lack of praise for creativity. My colorblind (no, really, colorblind) children would be in such trouble in that classroom.
Please, tell your son what a fabulous job he did. He should be VERY proud to hang that picture.
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You need to contact the principal/superintendent and file a complaint. That sort of behavior is not acceptable. At all. My son happens to be the worst artist ever. EVER. But you know what? He tries. And it’s HIS art. Who are we to judge. We’re not.
I am so sorry that teacher did this to your son. His picture is awesome! Framing it is a wonderful idea.
I agree with Pamela, her behavior was totally unsatisfactory and should be brought to the attention of the principal and superintendent.
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I agree with Jen. You need to complain about this. And his teacher? Owes him an apology.
Because his drawing? Has personality, depth, texture and character.
In short? It’s fabulous.
I am shocked! Every piece of art should be displayed and marveled at. Yourcsons’s picture is gorgeous and so full of life. I am literally holding back tears for your little boy. He is an artist.
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I think that art teacher should be fired or at least suspended.
Art is art. I am dumb founded at her ignorant response.
Tell your son I am an art director and would be so proud to have
His art work hanging on my wall.
8 is a young age to have to learn that the only persons opinion of his art that matters is his. So sorry this so called art teacher has taken away his joy from this project.
Hopefully he knows when he looks at it that it is a beautiful person he created for his project and the teacher is just a nut.
LOVE this! What a fantastic job! And I LOVE the eyes!! The hair outline is fantastic as well! My 8 year old would love this too, she loves to draw!
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HOLY WOWSA. Horrible, horrible, HORRIBLE. This woman gives us art teachers a bad name – and I’m SO not good with that. So, yeah, basically you need to go talk to your principal (and superintendent) and share your concern, anger, distress, and outrage at how the school’s art teacher ostracized, disrespected, and segregated your child for his creativity. NO CHILD should ever be treated this way in an art room. Part of art is freedom of expression – at any age.
I’d love to hear how she (the “art teacher”) supports her decision when asked about her choice/behavior.
I’m so sad your lovely and creative boy had this happen to him. It’s not fair in any way. Frame that picture to remind yourself – and him – that he is artistic, special, and appreciated for his creativity.
I am FURIOUS on your behalf. My cousin, who is now a professional artist, had her artwork not only refused but BANNED from her elementary school show.
I told her that was better than winning. I think his picture is amazing, he has a great eye.
I am enraged for your son. I wrote something like this last year when my daughter’s teacher told her that dogs couldn’t be blue and made her draw a black dog. How is this creativity? Isn’t art self expression? I want to kick all these close-minded teachers in the balls.
Wish I could.
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I honestly can’t see what the problem with that picture could possibly be. I’d be having a chit chat with the teacher (and principal if necessary).
I think the picture is great and hopefully your son will be able to continue creating art without feeling badly about his efforts.
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that teacher did is reprehensible. She has no business teaching and should be reported to the school board. Unbelievable! I could cry!! I think your son’s picture is beautiful…I even showed it to my mom and she thinks so too. 🙂
I am a full time artist and when I read this, I am floored. Livid even. To take any amount of time or effort to squash a child in their developing prime is beyond me! I hope you said something. My children are free to do whatever they want how ever they want. When they are ready to have structure, they’ll let me know. I communicate that with them so they are aware. To have a teacher, an art teacher no less, decide openly that a child’s work isn’t good enough is disgusting.
What is that old saying? Those who can’t do, teach? I would love to see this teachers work and would love to sit and have a critique. That teacher has no business teaching anything to any child. I know that teaching is one of the hardest jobs out there, and that some kids, frankly, suck. But when i send my child to school I am trusting that the teachers are doing their best to teach, not tear down. I wish I could sit down and talk to your kid. You are talking to someone who didn’t do well with structure and had teacher shun my work because it didn’t fit into their cannon of how things should appear. This experience only gives one realistic thing to your child: there are plenty of assholes in this world. Stick to those that support and love.
My heart breaks for your son. He’s brave to have taken the time to express himself completely and fully within the bounds of the assignment. At the end of the day, the teacher didn’t like it. That says nothing about the work itself. It’s a selfish statement about the teacher only, and not the work she sees. Also she is an idiot.
Is there somewhere I can send a letter?
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that is a FANTASTIC picture of a person. so realistic! i love that picture so much i swear i would buy a copy of it…ya know, an artist doesn’t always have to starve for his art. and your son is obviously an artist. email me if you want, maybe. & you’re totally right…he IS advanced. some grownups get jealous, even of kids & they act out because of it. sad, but true. xoxo
My heart is breaking for your little guy and I am furious with that teacher. You don’t mention how you dealt with this, so forgive me if you already thought of this, but I’d love to suggest that you check out some art books from the library – specifically Picasso. Your son’s art totally made me think of some of Picasso’s work and he was COMPLETELY unconventional. A great way to teach about Picasso is to show kids his later works that are unconventional along with his earlier work that was more “realistic.” Ask your son which ones he thinks Picasso painted when he was younger, before he had practiced painting a lot. It’s so great to open their minds up to the idea that he STARTED painting realistically, but basically decided it was kind of boring and decided to paint with his imagination.
Two other great books about art are “The Dot” and “ish” (same author). They’re fabulous for encouraging imagination and creativity.
Hugs to you both and boos to that teacher, who should NOT be teaching elementary Art.
PsychMamma´s last blog post ..Extending Christmas: For the Birds
No words, only tears.
Like any child, he’s drawing what he loves…and abstract? Maybe. But why is that a problem? We teach our children to think outside of the box, and when they try to, they are scolded.
Your son TRIED. He put EFFORT into it, and obviously, was PROUD of it. The outcome doesn’t matter, does it?
I’m so sorry…like I said, I have no words for this.
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What she did was so horrible!! I cannot believe that this actually happened. It actually made me tear up, his little artistic feelings being stomped like that. The picture is great! It has an awesome Picasso vibe going. I’m trying to think how you could help your son see how valuable this is…
Would he (and you) be willing to sell it??? If you put this on etsy or e-bay along with the story of what happened, you could sell this and help your son see the value of what he’s created. I know I’d promote the heck out of it, I bet others would too! Just a thought.
Anyway, I’m so terribly sorry, I hope the teacher feels how horribly she treated your son! Sending hugs your way.
Fire Wife Katie´s last blog post ..Chair Re-Cover
What an awful thing for an art teacher to do to a child! I second the suggestion of filing a formal complaint. That is completely not OK in any way.
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Your son is an extremely talent 2nd grader
This is upsetting. Such an impressionable age. And as an art teacher, you would think that would be where he can be as free thinking as he wants.
I would definitely take this up with the teacher, and even the principal if necessary, explaining his devastation as an 8 year old.
The saddest part is that there are teachers out there giving it their all for substandard pay and benefits just to do what they love and to inspire children and someone like this sours their image. A child should be encouraged and guided. Not squashed like a bug.
His picture is awesome!
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I hope that you do complain, and that the teacher realizes just how out of control she is, and how horrible her behaviour was.
Much love and hugs to your incredible artist.
Please tell me you marched into his principals office about this! I would have ripped that teachers head off! Oh no you do NOT mess with my kids or Mama Bear will take you DOWWWWN crazy stupid art teacher!!
I cried when I read this from anger. I cannot believe this woman is allowed to teach!!!
I am a teacher and I am so sad for your sweet little boy! How dare that teacher tell any child how to color or what colors to use for HIS art. If that teacher knew anything about education she would know that its about the PROCESS not the PRODUCT!! How horrible for him. I hope you frame that for him and let everyone praise him for his beautiful artwork. Please bring this to the admins attention so that it can be handled appropriately.
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Oh that is so awful, your poor son and what that teacher did is inexcusable. The sad thing is that for some reason I’m sure that woman thinks she is right and will stand by her ridiculous decision if you bring it up to someone at school. My husband is a principal and some of the stories drive me insane. And your son is only in 2nd grade??? Horrible. So sorry Melissa.
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WTF???? OMFG! I would have lost my shit on that teacher!!!!! That teacher should be reprimanded and have to write a letter of apology to your son and display his picture in the center of every single display for the rest of the year!!! I hope she gets her work critiqued as harshly as she critiques your sons
My 18 year old son is an amazing artist and a full time Industrial Design student at universtiy and his drawings looked just like your son’s in second grade. Help your son to understand that his teacher’s bad behavior does not define his art, creativity, or who he is. The drawing is amazing and completely age appropriate!
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I love your boy. And I hate that this has happened. My son struggles with being different in his school, too, and this would have destroyed him. I know that this isn’t really the point, and art is something to be celebrated for being art, but I would like to buy this from him (if he is willing to sell it). And if he isn’t, then I would like to buy a scan of it. I want to hang it in my craft room. If possible, please contact me at streetlights94@gmail.com
I can’t decide if this makes me want to cry or get furious. Both. I have a little boy who is 8, he just finished second grade here in Australia. Were he treated like that he would be devastated. And I would be out for blood. That a horrible, horrible, MEAN teacher 🙁 I am SO sorry your little one had such a horrible experience. You tell him that all the way over here in Australia, we reckon his picture is freaking awesome and MY 8 year old says he wishes he could draw like that. For real.
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I think a little convo with the principle is in order here. That’s awful. That piece is wonderful and should have hung with all the others, no doubt. I feel terrible for him. I have a second-grader too and he would be crushed as well. That’s just not right.
I’m so mad that I’d like to send that teacher some poisonous Twinkies but it wouldn’t be right since she is so obviously blind. I cannot poison the blind. But I do feel sorry for her. That piece is beautiful and brilliant. End of story.
So. full. of. rage!
This is my son exactly. When he was 4, along with all the other kids, he drew a picture of his face on a paper plate. It was the only drawing out of 27 that didn’t show clearly where the eyes, nose and mouth went. I, myself, was a bit worried at first. I asked him questions about one big area he drew, thinking it was one very gargantuan eye. When I asked he literally laughed at me: “No mom, that is my forehead! The teacher put the hair in the wrong place.” The teacher had glued the yellow yarn in wrong place and the picture was stapled to the bulletin board sideways, because she didn’t bother to ask what that big oval was. When I think back to that drawing, it was one of the first signals I picked up about my son’s wit, hilariousness and smarts.
When I first opened this link I saw the picture first and thought, “CUTE!”
Seriously, schedule a meeting at the school. Not because you’re right and she’s wrong, but because if there’s one thing I’ve learned and keep learning, it’s our job to be our kid’s advocates. Also, it’ll save shame for the next kid who colors the sky purple.
Hearing what that teacher did makes me want to pay her a visit and talk to her in my “angry dad voice.”
If your sons painting needs a home I know of a fire station that would happily put it up on the wall.
FireMedic´s last blog post ..Working Structure Fire
I can’t believe his teacher. The artwork is great. I wish I could come “talk” to her about her attitude. My “angry dad voice” would be used.
If your son needs a place to hang the painting I know of a fire station that would take it.
FireMedic´s last blog post ..Working Structure Fire
If you haven’t already talk to his school. It’s so important that he sees you stick up for him when he was wronged. I would try and have them hang it. It means so much to your son. I think it’s a wonderful bit of art but something like that will stay with him forever. Make sure he knows what you think about what the teacher did, what you think of his work. You probably already have but I feel so sorry for your son and I just want to give him a hug.
Your poor child…. I am at a loss for words about his teacher…something needs to done so she doesn’t hurt another child though. I agree with all the others…Frame that beautiful piece of art work!
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What a wonderful picture! I would be happy to hang that in my own home or anywhere to be on public display. Please please call the school and explain to them what happened – if not for your own peace of mind, then so that teacher won’t be left to feel that she can do the same to another child on another day. What a horrible educator and, quite frankly, person to make a child feel that they are not good enough. Absolutely not okay.
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Wow, I cannot believe a teacher would do that to a child. Sounds like that teacher needs to find a new job that does not associate with people. With that being said I would move my tush to that school office and raise the roof. I have done that a few times when my daughter was being harassed. Your child was mentally abused by a teacher. That is not acceptable.
Please tell your son that I think his art work is perfect!
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My blood is boiling reading this. I’m so sorry your son had to endure this ignorant woman. I also think you should go to the school, which isn’t something I normally do. But it really seems to me that this situation warrants it. Good luck, Melissa.
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I had similar experiences in art, but that was in the 70’s. You’d think people would have evolved. Someone needs to deal with her. When is humiliating a child proper?
His picture is awesome and super creative. So now kids can’t be creative and individualistic in ART? Really?
I swear I would frame that picture because it truly is amazing, just like your son!
That is something I wouldn’t be able to keep my mouth shut about. A visit to the principal would be in order, not just for my child, but for all of the children whose artwork the teacher has criticized. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and besides, at age 8 it should be the effort and ability to follow instructions that matters most anyway.
Jessica @FoundtheMarbles´s last blog post ..On Judging Others
What a horrible experience for that poor child. I thought art teachers are supposed to teach art and spark our little ones creativity; not bash down their self esteem or snuff out their little creative sparks. His art piece is wonderful and she should be ashamed!
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first of all, I personally wouldn’t hang that picture on the fridge – it would be in a frame in a permanent spot on my wall. Second, I want to punch your son’s art teacher in the face so badly right now that I’m pretty worried I won’t make it through my own kids’ school years without at least one assault charge.
Hug your son for me, go scream at that teacher (and report her unconscionable behavior to the principal, school board, whoever), then get that fabulous piece of artwork a frame!!
That teacher needs to take an art appreciation class. Art is in the eye of the artist, not the beholder.
She also needs some diversity classes.
And a beating out back behind the gym. Want me to get on that?
Jennifer´s last blog post ..Wish Me Luck
This totally made me cry. How crazy for any teacher, especially an art teacher, to criticize anything a child creates. How dare she?! What did she say when you stomped in there to talk to her? Cause I know I would’ve gone straight up to her and demanded an explanation. Crazy.
Oh, and your son’s artwork is beautiful. I hope he doesn’t let this experience affect his outlook on what he has to offer the world as far as his art and creativity.
When my son was struggling with his art…he crumples up a lot of his stuff too, I asked him to pick out the drawing he was most proud of and bought it from him. It’s hanging up on my bedroom wall and he’s now convinced that he’s going to have his own art gallery some day. He’s in second grade too and I know your son will forget about this incident long before you do. Kids get over things much more quickly than we do as adults.
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That woman would LOSE her job if it were me. She has no business teaching PERIOD. Looks like your son is quite gifted in his artistic ability to me. Too bad he doesn’t have more of these, I’d send you SASE and have you send one to me to frame. What she did was totally uncalled for and I pray that this doesn’t make him hate art or scar him…because his talent is shining beautifully on that piece of construction paper!!! Please tell him that all of us art lovers on here think he’s fabulous!!
Your son is a modern day Picasso and I want that art teacher canned!