After school year started, I got a call to teach an art class—to middle school kids. 7th and 8th graders. Tow days, all day each day. I gulped and agreed to give it a try.

Got there and the regular teacher had stopped in before leaving on her trip. “Thank God!” I thought. At least I’ll have a clue what I am to be doing. She left and I just decided to have a good time and stop freaking. I know all about art, after all, and it was only a couple of days. It turned out to be a HUGE blast! I was totally in the right place. High school is great, and now I was able to add middle school to me repertoire. I had such a great time.

The next week I got another call for art. Except this time it was for a solid week. Cool!

Q: What school?

A: Intermediate.

Q: What grade is that?

A: 4th, 5th, and 6th grade.

[ Big gulp... ]

Sure, I’ll give it a try.

It was BLISS! I never had so much fun in my life! Well, except for keeping things to a dull roar. 4th graders are pretty hard to keep a lid on. Something I’m sure would be easier with my own class But it was so much fun having kids mob me with “Mr. Starks, Mr. Starks!!! Can you show me how to draw a shirt? What do you think of this? Is it all right if I give you a hug?”

Are you serious??? You want to give me a hug?? Of course you can!

Sweet Jesus, thank you for giving me this kind of a platform. Utterly humbling and amazing.

I had kids asking me to be their permanent art teacher. I see kids in the grocery store who yell “Mr. Starks!” down the aisles. I see kids at Kwik Trip who walk by and say, ‘Todd Starks, how are you doing?”

I even taught a 9th and 10th grade Social Studies class and again, I was amazed by the kids and how much I loved being with them in the room. Talking, showing, interacting, laughing and joking. What a great gig! I left there thinking, “I can get paid to do this?”

I am not even exaggerating when I say that teaching is better than art to me. Don’t get me wrong, I truly love art, but teaching is beyond anything I can imagine doing. I can only hope that having my own class can be as fulfilling as the last weeks have been subbing.

So Deb, I really appreciate your words of encouragement and insight, as the working professional you are. And I totally get it. It’s all settled in my mind and I am currently working toward getting past my PRAXIS exams, then I have to take a couple of art studio classes, then on to the UW School of Education for the certificate.

I was built for this. Probably will still go for high school. But I really like all the ages I’ve worked with. My certificate will be for K-12.

Some questions / comments / things overheard from kids:

4-6 grade

Q: Will you be my forever art teacher?

Q: Can we call you Mr. Sharks?
A: No, you may call me Mr. Starks, Peyton.

Q: Can I give you a hug?
A: Of course!!!

Q: (30 minutes later) Can I give you another hug?
A: Sure!!! I love hugs.

Comment: You’re a great sub!

Memorable and funny: Two 6th grade girls poked their heads in on their way out of school at end of the day. “Hi Mr. Starks! Hi Todd Starks! We’re gonna look at your paintings online!!”

9th-10th grade Social Studies:

Memorable: You’re the best sub we’ve ever had!!
“Whatever.” I said. “I mean it! Most subs just bring a book and don’t even talk to us.”
“Wow, thanks!” I said.

Memorable:
Walking into an 11th grade art class. A student that I had seen before in a lecture I gave as a visiting artist the year before.
“Mr. Starks!! My hero! Man, you gave me so much hope last time you were here. Great to have you as our sub!”

I could go on. But it touches me so deeply to have the chance to interact with all kids. They are really truly amazing people.