My family has always been supportive of my art. For special occasions, I would get new art sets to use. My neighbor and I would go to each other’s houses to draw when we went to “play.” We would draw a variety of things depending on our interests at the time. Most of the drawings were of animals.
All through elementary school I took art. Every year each grade had a project called, “Original Artworks.” We sold copies of the work to our families to raise money. This is where I was introduced to a whole different world of materials to use in art. In 5th grade I started keeping a “sketchbook.” It was a spiral bound 5 subject notebook that I drew in. I loved to experiment with different media in this book. I used what I learned in my classes to draw and paint. In 7th grade I starting thinking about becoming an art teacher. My teacher, Mrs. Murphy, was very supportive of my work. She always pushed me to become better, which is why I do the same to my students. In 8th grade I started experimenting with photography. My photo went to the state level of Reflections that year. In 9th grade, my photography went to the county level for Reflections. I began going out on my own to photograph. After that year, I dropped out of Chorus to be in Art. In 12th grade I was in AP 2D Design. My teacher, Ms. Chappel, knew I was interested in photography, so she let me experiment with film. She was one of the hardest teachers I have ever had. She would tell it like it is, and I feel that I learned the most from her critiques. I use critiques in my classes now, like she did. I feel like her teaching shaped me the most as an educator. She was critical of our work because she knew we could do better. When we procrastinated on a project, she was able to tell. I learned to teach art at Valdosta State University. School was good until I had my Secondary Art Methods class. My teacher, Dr. Hasio, would not accept my medical excuse for why I missed one day over what I was allowed. My grade appeal was rejected by her and the department head, to change it from a D. My appeal was later accepted by the dean of students. In his letter about the appeal. Dr. Pierce wrote something I will always remember, “Ms. Michael has shown the spirit of Art Education at its best.” My grade was only changed to a C. I learned that there are many factors that go in to teaching, and being flexible and empathetic are some of them. At graduation, Dr. Pierce was there to shake my hand and said, “You deserve this.” My photography teacher, Mr. Gheesling, my metals teacher, Abigail, and my printmaking teacher, Mr. Smoot, are some other teachers who inspired me. They were always there to listen to me rant about school and provide support. I listen to my students in the same way to show my students that I truly do care about them. They constantly pushed me to my full potential in their classes. I student taught at Lowndes High School. My mentor teacher was Ms. Heather Dorsey. She was a compassionate teacher and I admired that about her. She always kept her cool while dealing with her classes. I strive for that level headedness. She was compassionate and passionate in her teaching. If you are not passionate about what you do, students will not be motivated to produce meaningful artwork. |