My name is Diane Plenderleith, I am a Chartered Teacher at St Margaret’s Academy, Livingston and have recently embarked on an Med Artist Teacher Programme.

Embarking on the Artist Teacher Scheme feels like a New Beginning. The ATS is the most significant CPD I have undertaken, at a time when I really feel the need for change and development with my own personal art practice and teaching practice.  Having been a teacher of art and design for 14 years and gone through many changes within Education, I realise I yearn for a change within myself as a teacher with the view to re-engaging as a practicing artist. Parker (2009) describes the ATS as a:

‘catalyst for changing my perceptions and professional values. It gave me time to reflect on my pedagogical practice, my concepts of self as artist, and led to making certain professional decisions’

Attaining Chartered teacher status in 2005 equipped me with the skills to reflect and collaborate professionally; skills vital for the ATS.

Increasingly I have experienced a sense of guilt and self questioning about both my practices, ‘almost as if I had been masquerading under false presences as an art teacher’ Parker (2009).

Therefore deciding to undertake a 3 year course of study is an exciting prospect for me almost a reconciliation of self. My perception of self as a teacher of art and design, my skills and ability to deliver the curriculum effectively and in deed feeling de-skilled by not practicing what I preach. Michael Yeomans (1996) within Parker (2009) states:

‘practice informs teaching and if you do not practice, your teaching becomes progressively less informed’

My aim is to gain knowledge, insights, confidence, skills and self-esteem, Hall (2009); research pedagogy and implement it to enable my students to enjoy an ‘authentic experience as artists’ Hall, (2009) and this has become the focus for me as an Artist Teacher.

.