A Deliberate Storying Considerations of Well-Being among Experienced Canadian Secondary Visual Art Teachers

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Amy Atkinson

Abstract

This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of three experienced secondary Visual Arts teachers educated in Canada. Following grounded theory, interweaving qualitative in-depth interviews and research creation, the study investigates the well-being of two experienced secondary teachers - one employed at a local school in Montreal and the other at an international school in Shanghai. The insights gleaned from these teacher narratives are then compared to the author's own autoethnographic reflections serving to inform the author’s art-making practice and storying. The findings reveal an imbalance in teacher satisfaction, raising concerns about teacher well-being within the secondary Visual Arts discipline in Canada.


Keywords: Art Education, Teacher Well-being, Secondary Visual Arts, Artist-Teacher, International Baccalaureate, Research Creation

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How to Cite
Atkinson, A. (2025). A Deliberate Storying: Considerations of Well-Being among Experienced Canadian Secondary Visual Art Teachers. The Canadian Review of Art Education, 51(1), 3–22. https://doi.org/10.26443/crae.v51i1.1122
Section
Articles
Author Biography

Amy Atkinson

Amy Atkinson is a Ph.D. Candidate in Art Education at Concordia University, co-editor of the Canadian Art Teacher, and Head of Secondary Visual Arts at the Canadian International School in Hong Kong. Her research engages with critical inquiries into Teacher Education, Research-Creation, and the concept of Spirit of Place, investigating the intersections of pedagogy, creative practice, and environmental context. Central to her work is an exploration of relational and collaborative frameworks that foster mutual support and growth within creative processes, aiming to deepen understanding of how educators and learners navigate and co-create their artistic journeys.

 

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