My happy place was teaching in urban education, specifically, art education. I consider myself a forerunner in the field. I attended conferences and taught workshops about my innovative curriculum.

I provided after school clubs to give youth the opportunity to be competitive after graduation. During my summer's I taught "Art in the Park" with Very Special Arts in Boston, MA and at OFASS in Oakland, CA. The summer programs were enjoyable with the warmth of the sun and casual atmosphere of the season.

While teaching during the academic years, one of the funniest things kept occurring. Students would cut "into" my classes. My classes were always at capacity or a bit over. Students would slip into my classroom to "hide" within the full classes to avoid their academic classes. Because time was so limited i.e. 50 minutes, often I would give the lesson concepts, offer a Q & A, then the students would manage the class, and get to work.

Then, I would zip through attendance and say to myself great everyone is here! A very important teacher trick, particularly for the art teacher, is to do a head count. Every so often there would be extra students who cut into my classroom to chase out! They would plead to stay.

At this same particular school there are more "Happy Days." Two student-centered happy memories that occurred are as follows.

On a given day, class was in session and students were actively working. One student caught my attention and asked if they could speak to me privately. We had a small art gallery in our classroom. The two of us stepped aside and had a private conversation. Meanwhile, unknown to me, all the students were setting their smart phones to music. The music would go off at the same time, to the same song.

When the student said they felt a little better we went back in the room. At that moment the music blared, the students jump straight up out of their seats, danced to a choreographed beat and began a flash mob right in my room!!!

I was shocked and mad at the same time. Then, I couldn't stop laughing. They were laughing harder; it was such a good "punk" at the art teaher.

Another time I was teaching a silk screen unit to a group of sixth graders. Most students don't get this opportunity to see the craft from beginning to end. They learned how to build a frame, stretch silk on the frame, how to tape it down. They also learned at 11 years old several methods in which to attach a stencil. They printed and understood mass production. They became a team.

As I said students managed the class they had very important jobs. They took ownership of the class and class environment. Therefore, their ideas were always welcomed.

This topic ensued. One of the students said, "Miss" because that's how they addressed me, (never a last name) can we do "Next Top Model" with the silkscreens? I had no idea what they were talking about! I said, "I don't know what you mean?" So they said, "Really, really we want to do a video, right now so other people will know how to do silk screening!" They added, "Nobody knows the word squeegee!" Can we do it, can we do it? So I said, "Yeah, yeah!"

We ended up having the best time taping and re-taping the actual process of silk screen. We clear the table and made a runway with spectator chairs. They took turns becoming spectators and models. Each one became "supermodels" holding all the parts to explain the process of printmaking.

Somebody would walk by, "This is a frame, another this is silk, and yet another this is squeegee.: They would do their pirouette and make it a amazing show. It was such a valuable teaching learning experience for all. These are the reasons I am so happy while I was teaching.

Now let's not forget, I am the teacher in this case too. I said I was a forerunner with my opening my statement. These lessons fueled me with limitless ideas. Lessons that went into galleries, Mayor's and Congress's offices. On several occasions the student's art went globally.

Both for the students and myself these monumental memories stay close to my heart and mind to bring me joy everyday.

In closing, it is my goal to document The Happiness Puzzle of an Artist/Educator.