When asked, the majority of people will tell you that they had an awful middle school experience. In 2006, I set out to change that experience for my students. As a teacher it’s my goal to provide my students a safe learning environment where they can express themselves artistically. I strongly believe that students should understand what artists do and that they are the artist in our studio space. Join me in my journey as a middle school art teacher as I ramble on about the techniques and strategies that I use in my teaching.