Teaching design at the Arts Magnet High School I had read about the Arts Magnet High School in downtown Dallas. Full name: Booker T. Washington High School for the Visual and Performing Arts. I called the school and, after some connections and discussions, I was asked to help out in the Design area as a Teaching Assistant. I was still in graduate school and thought this would be a good gig while in school. I was hired full-time for the next fall, 1979 and taught for two years, 1979-81. I was hired by two departments - Art and Theater. I taught art classes, Basic Design and Drawing, in the morning and theater classes, Prop Design and Set Design, in the afternoon. It was fun because I got to know students in 2 of the school's 4 departments (the others were Dance and Music). I also helped out the Stagecraft teacher, Roger Richards. We worked together in that I and my students designed the sets and he and his students built the sets. I designed stage sets in high school and college and it was fun to get back in the shop and create the magic that happens on the stage of live theater. I loved teaching high school. It was very satisfying to serve as a role model for these young kids. More on set designs at AMHS Some memories I started teaching on an Emergency Teaching Certificate. I just had to verify that I was working towards certification each semester. Which I was at UNT. Opening day excitement. My first ever teaching job. I was ready. Faculty meetings in the library. Class finished early - now what do I do? I had no prep for teaching. I soon learned to have mind game activities ready. I taught stick-shift driving lessons in the parking lot. Lost a turn signal lever. "You are my favorite fat nigger." Production set designs after school Narc - catching marijuana users Faculty Admin: Paul Baker, Darrell Chambers, Jim Gray, Dolores Arnold, Sandra May Louise Smith, Roger Richards, George Moseley, Karen Cogdill, Jane Farris, Molly Dean, Sally, Wanda Hill, Margaret Hull, Roseanne Cox, Tom Asher, Scott Davidson Some students Seth Pybas, Trysh Travis, Holly Rudin, Matthew Broussard, Jennifer, Rory Owen, Jeff Stoddart, Chris Luxem, Michael Dain, John Mullins, Dean Whitus, Laith Al-Ubaidi, Trent Bomar, David Chambers, Max Hatzenbuehler, Larry Malvern, Tammy White, Daniel Webster, Greg Steele, John Bush, Tricia Reynolds, Steph Rodkey, Roy Turpin, Yolanda Jones Faculty colleagues Admin: Paul Baker, Darrell Chambers, Jim Gray, Dolores Arnold Faculty: Louise Smith, Roger Richards, George Moseley, Karen Cogdill, Jane Farris, Molly Dean, Sally, Wanda Hill, Margaret Hull, Roseanne Cox, Tom Asher, Scott Davidson, Sandra May Floor plans of the school I taught in P-1, Portable building 1 and in 216, the Old Gallery on the second floor. The classroom Year 2 in the portable Science teacher Tom Asher's trip to Arkansas and Branson David Opalecky(?), Trysh Travis, Daniel Webster, Katy Pybas, Craig Stoddard Jim's study tour to New York City During a walking tour in the Village. In Washington Square after Charlie Barnett's performance. www.jamesrobertwatson.com/amhs.html