Help! Genius son wants to be a high school art teacher!

Parents Forum
1

Long story short: My son (rising senior) and I don’t have the best relationship, so I’ve tried not to provide too much input as he starts thinking about college/majors. He hasn’t studied for the ACT, but made a 34 on his first attempt. He could be anything and has excelled in math and science. But he also has an art teacher that he loves, so he’s decided that he wants to be a high school art teacher.

To make matters worse, he may end up choosing an expensive college (I’ve always told him that I would support his choice since I assumed he would choose a path that would lead him into a prosperous future.)

Am I too late to redirect him? Anyone else been in a similar position?

Thanks,
Phil

2

Sorry. I think you need the attitude adjustment, not him. His life, his career choice. Do you want a contented teacher or a miserable engineer?

On average a student changes major three times while in school. Support your kid and do not punish him for his choice. If he later decides it was not a good choice he can be on his own for funding an additional degree.

3

Did you mean to say that you have always told him that he could choose any college no matter how expensive and you would pay the bill? You must be quite well off. You should probably stick with that deal, then.

Or does “support his choice” mean that you will just be helping him out? Then presumably he would better understand the nature of the budget constraint and perhaps he will make a choice that makes sense for him.

BTW, there are also many science jobs that don’t pay well.

4

Agree with reply #2 that you should uphold any promise that you made, or tell him now about any financial constraints on his college choice (regardless of his major or career goal) if you find that your previous promises are unaffordable.

Whether high school art teacher or anything else is a realistic career goal depend on factors like the following:

  • How competitive such jobs are to get. If the job and career are highly competitive to get into, then he must have backup plans (which may require compromising either pay level or his interest in it).
  • Whether his spending habits indicate that he is likely to be able to live comfortably within the typical pay level of his goal and backup career plans.
5

While your S may still change his mind in college, it’s possible that he will be as successful being a high school art teacher as my D’s widely beloved AP Art History teacher who also teaches AP Studio Art. After teaching his classes to generally highly-engaged H.S. students during the school term, he then spends part of his summer being an AP reader for the College Board and the rest of the summer traveling someplace to look at art. After a fulfilling career during which he has been a positive force in the lives of countless students, he will retire with his teacher’s pension and continue pursuing his passion for art.

Sounds perfect to me.

6

Mazel tov. Congratulations for having a bright son who wants to do something he loves and can pay the bills. Seems like a wonderful gift!

7

It’s not unusual for folks that are good at fine arts to be good at math and science as well.

My artsy kid’s favorite teacher was one of her art teachers. He very popular, a highly skilled artist and he also happens to be one of the brighter and funnier people at that school. He also seems like a happy guy.

8

If he truly loves and wants to major in the arts, try and lead him toward a more rewarding job in that field. I think graphic designers for companies get paid pretty well.

9

@PhilABuster: What’s wrong with wanting to be a high school art teacher?

We told VelveteenKid the same thing you told your son only ours wanted to go to film school at USC (very expensive for a career that doesn’t technically require a degree). He has had a camera in front of his face since fifth grade. We told him that as long as he was OK with, potentially, living in a box under the freeway at times, he should go for it, pursue his passion, do what will make him happy. He continued to pursue film all through HS (club prez and several film awards) and did apply to USC, but he is now suffering through basic training at West Point. VelveteenCadet’s reasoning was that film will always be there, but he decided he wants to serve first. Kids surprise you. Your son may or may not end up teaching art to HS students, but it’s a noble choice and not one that I’d discourage if his heart is really in it. If it’s not, life will take him elsewhere. It’s all about the journey.

10

I agree you should relax a bit over the major. Work on the relationship instead and don’t start repairing that by telling him his choices are not adequate for you or are not doing what you pick for him to do, as if you would like someone picking for you. Instead ask to learn more about the colleges he is interested in and what their features are. In college he will explore different things and have new mentors and role models.

Anyway I just looked up a HS classmate of my daughter who went to a nice private college and majored in studio art and got a grad degree in mgmt or something and is the Manager of Marketing and PR at a Los Angeles museum.as well as a artist.

There is a student at Brown/RISD getting a dual degree in art and neuroscience and this is a facinating 2:30 minute clip of her work in the two areas. She has been interning at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution doing research with scientists. Watch this with him and see a really bigger world of ideas and inspiration. I found this so interesting and the glimpses of her work at the end stunning.
http://browncreativemind.com/conversations/lizzie-kripkie-brownrisd-dual-degree/

11

Most geniuses knock out a 36 ACT, typically while proving a theorem, curing an unknown disease, or achieving world peace.

Perhaps you should let your S decide what to do with his life.

12

I would review his list of college choices to see if they offer his major.

How good an artist is he? Would he be competitive in the job market? There are many would be artists whose parents push them to have a day job, like teaching, so your son is ahead of the game.

13

The only guidance I would offer is this:

My school has 2600 kids. We have a math department of 22 teachers… and an art department of 3. It’s HARD to find a job teaching art, since there are so few jobs out there.

BUT that doesn’t mean you deter him from doing what he wants to do with his life. (Come on, he’s choosing a profession, not planning to deal cocaine on the corner.) But it does mean that you offer him guidance in ensuring that his choices will eventually lead to employment.

Would he consider minoring in math or science, and getting dual certification? (Check your state board of education to see what it would require. Look at schools that would make it possible.) For what it’s worth, the best job markets in most parts of the country are for secondary math, Chemistry and Physics. Would he consider those as a backup until he can find a job teaching art? Or some other minor that will allow him to work in some other aspect of art-- someone mentioned animation, I’m sure there are others.

In many states he’ll eventually need his Masters for certification. (You can teach w/o it, but only for a limited time. In NY I think it’s still 5 years.) Would he consider a less pricey school now so that you can afford to help him with that later?

For what it’s worth, my husband and I are both teachers in Catholic schools-- so we’re paid less than our public school counterparts. While I don’t know whether you can call us “prosperous” we’re doing OK. And we both love what we do… that’s so important!!!

So in your shoes, I wouldn’t be trying to talk him out of what he wants to do… particularly if you have a rocky relationship. But I would be helping him find schools that have a strong career placement office for art teachers, with a solid recent history of success. And I would be looking for lots of field experience-- you want him to see the realities of teaching up close and personal, and early in his college career. And I would be finding opportunities that would help him have the strongest resume possible.

I know you want what’s best, but he’s going to interpret anything negative about his choice as another reason why you don’t see eye to eye. In the long run, we’re all entitled to our own mistakes. So help him, encourage him, work on the things that will strengthen your relationship.

14

OP, this year will probably bring difficult moments considering that you and S already have a rocky relationship. Try to keep it all in perspective. Like all parents, you want the best for him… Lerning to listen is a hard discipline, and past experiences of blocked communication only make it harder. So be patient and remember that in the long run, no matter what S studies, you want that door to remain open.

As for his studies,suggest to him to create an account and get onto this website. Hearing directly from him will greatly aid any of us who are willing to help him. He can do a BA and then an MA in art education (for example, MICA or other art schools) or head straight toward an MA in education…or go the liberal arts route. There are many options but in order to be truly helpful we need to hear from him.

I think the best way you can help right now is to line up financial parameters. If you can figure out what amount of $ will be available it will really help in his selection of schools. Given his projected career path he should not take out loans beyond what would be manageable. Other posters can give good advice on that.

Just because S is brilliant doesn’t mean he shouldn’t study what he loves! He can become a museum curator, lawyer specializing in cases relating to art, college professor, primary school art teacher, non-profit arts management administrator, high school art teacher, architect, graphic designer, animator, non-profit art teacher, etc.

There are great schools for him and there are different paths he can take, but again, we need to hear from him. Does he want to do Studio, or just Ed? Is he more inclined to an innovative program like Carnegie Mellon, or art history in a liberal arts setting like Williams? He does not need to know his future job – but it helps to set a direction, and it sounds like he is already on his way. That’s wonderful for them! Now we parents just have to follow their lead.

15

I agree with the others, let him study what he loves. OTOH, he needs to be aware of the consequences of his choices: job prospects, salary projections, etc. And you need to clarify with him what you mean when you say you support him going to the school of his choice. How much will that choice end up costing him.

16

Congratulations to your son for finding a passion to pursue. I hope you will support him in his choice.

As an anecdote…I have a kid with an engineering degree. She HATED engineering, and never plans to be an engineer…EVER (however, it was her choice to pursue this major, not mine!). Luckily she picked up a second major that she really does love.

Your comment about supporting any college choice sounds like it had conditions that were not made clear to your son. If you only intended to support an expensive college choice if he majored in your college major choice…you should have conveyed that to him.

Please support your son’s passion instead of trying to make him into what YOU want him to be.

@stugace the student wants to be an art teacher…not a graphic artist. Perhaps in his college studies, he will take a graphic arts course, and change his mind…but honestly, I hope this OP will let his son choose his college major.

NOW…having said all that…I would strongly suggest that your son look at the strongest public university in your state…which likely offers teacher education programs. He wants to be sure he takes all the courses required for certification, as well as his art courses. If he plans to teach in your state, going to college in your state makes the most sense.

17

I was in a similar situation a couple of years ago. My son, who is really good at math, just loves music. His dream is to be an opera singer, and failing that, he is perfectly happy to be a high school music teacher. All the family tried to convince him that is not a realistic and good career choice for him. I think he eventually changed his mind on his own, and now he is entering college as freshman this fall at a very good school, probably majoring in math and economics. But he is sure to take a few courses in music.

My suggestion is that you should have a calm, candid conversation with your son in a rational way. But ultimately it is up to him to decide.

18

My oldest son, who was a NMF/Governor’s Scholar, etc. , has been teaching at a Catholic high school for 5 years. Yes, it would be nice if he got paid more, but he loves his work and finds it very meaningful. My D was always a talented artist, but also a good student in all subjects. She got a degree in biology, hoping to become a dentist, but did not get into dental school. Now she is in art school. I wish that she had done this before the biology degree, because it is obviously much more her calling. (She doesn’t plan to teach art, either, which would be a little more practical.) OP, dont panic. Your kid is likely to change his mind. And if he doesn’t, at least he is smart and has a plan.

19

What a sad story. Unless he wasn’t a very good singer.

20

I am sorry you have a poor relationship with your son. I agree with the poster who said your top priority should be improving it. It is never too late and one benefit will be he will be more open to your advice. Our s has 3 diverse areas of interest. We have encouraged him to find a uni that is strong in all 3 areas so he can explore his interests and pick the right path. One area has limited employment so he has focused on a school with a dept. that helps the students understand how to make a living in that area. Aside from art what else is your s interested in? Let him explore and try things.

Be careful about “labeling” your son a genius and expecting more for it. Just value what ever his gifts are and encourage him to make the most of them. My extended family has several off the charts genius’ vis a vis IQ level and test scores who have a hard time holding down a job or finishing college.

Or perhaps you were just being sarcastic because he wants to “only” be an art teacher? If you want to have a better relationship with your s you might start by losing the sarcasm.