“to travel, to experience and to learn: that is to live" - Tenzing Norgay
Eight years ago I a packed a suitcase and boarded a plane for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. My life as an international teacher began. The life of an international teacher certainly sounds enticing. Though what is it really like to work in a culture and country that is often very different from the life you've left behind? And how do you choose a school and country where you will be happy? Below are a collection of stories, tips, and travel advice from the countries I have worked in. Also included is advice on how to start your own international teaching career and links to international schools around the world.
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explore... new places
capture... what you see
"People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the one's who do" - Steve Jobs
Long gone are the days where I travelled the world with my trusty Pentax K1000 and a bag of film. As an international art teacher, the understanding of contemporary media practices and how to pitch for different media audiences has become an integral part of our teaching. Below are some trusty tips and techniques to get your started on your own creative visual journey in film-making, photography, and animation. Happy clicking!
create.... with natural materials
"I'm always interested in what I'm about to do than what I have already done" - Rachel Carson
“Eco Art” is a contemporary form of art that is primarily concerned with global environmental situations. In the art studio, we are often unaware that the art materials we are using contain toxic ingredients, including those that are not permitted in other types of consumer products. I am passionate about sharing eco-art information with others, so we are all able to make informed choices that ensure our place of work is a healthy and non-toxic environment. Click below to find out more about using non-toxic art materials, lesson plans, resources, and links to eco-artists.
workshops
Be different!
There has never been another person in the world who is exactly like you - and there never will be.
No one is you - that is your superpower!"
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As an art teacher, how much time do you have to pursue your own creative passions? Maybe you are like me and find that you spend much of your time creating fabulous lessons and 'giving away your best creative ideas'! Below are workshops that are sure to get your creative passion firing once again and provide inspiration for classes you teach. Come and join these engaging online classes and work at your own pace to re-ignite your artistic passion. It is my hope that there will a wonderful energy of enjoyment in your online class studio - and a certain sweetness too, (and this will be important later because for sure you will experience increased levels of happiness as a result.)
follow... the international art teacher
I am an artist, teacher...explorer of the world. Eight years ago, I packed a backpack, left Australia, and decided to join the world of international teaching. Stories from some of the more interesting (and challenging) places I've visited are included in the explore section. The more I travel, the more I have become aware of environmental issues needing to be addressed and this transformed the way I work as an artist. And so I began my own an eco-art adventure. Imagine an art studio with no toxic materials, no nasty fumes, and no hazardous products? Just simple back to basics fun. If you are ready to join me learning more, simply navigate your way through the art section of this site... there are plenty of resources for you to use and share.
As I travel, I record my journey by clicking away on my trusty Olympus Om-d E5. It is a big step from my early days of using my film Pentax K-1000 camera! I'm also a huge fan of animation and short documentary films. Click through the photography and film sections to find some easy to use resources and ideas I've collected over the years.
Wisdom tells us that the desire to learn, to be amazed, and share the experience is inherent in human nature. It is an exciting world in which we live and what better way to explore it that through creative mediums such as art, photography, and film?
follow me @ eco_artist
© 2018 by Jen Buchanan