A Ripe Subject For Humor

And our next zoom gathering

I have teachers on my mind this week. This Thursday, I’m conducting a day-long class to a group of public school teachers as part of a Master Class program with the non-profit Academy For Teachers. It’s an honor to be invited to do this, and frankly I’m nervous. Teaching teachers—they are so much better at this than me. But I figure I know a lot about cartooning… and who doesn’t love cartoons! I plan to talk with them about how to use cartoons in the classroom, how they are a great way to look at history, we’ll explore the creative process and how to use political drawings to enhance conversation and bridge differences, and how laughter is very important, but subjective. Humor is nuanced. I have such respect for teachers and look forward to meeting them. I want to learn from them how to be a better teacher—what is it about what I do as a cartoonist that can enlighten young people?

Below are a few of my New Yorker teacher drawings. The classroom is such a ripe setting for cartoons because everyone everywhere has been in a classroom, and being a student is such an emotional thing.

Happy Tuesday! I hope those of you in the US are not getting horrible weather today—this storm sounds nasty. So far, just rain for us.

Our next subscriber zoom gathering/cocktail hour will be January 19th at 5pm EST. Link below. Come with your ideas, gripes, questions and be ready to laugh.