Out of all the jobs that I’ve had thus far, teaching is the most rewarding. The top benefit is the opportunity to make a positive difference in a student’s life. There are challenges that I am faced with, but when I’m told by my students that they appreciate my time, they’re enjoying my class, that I’m a really good teacher or when I see a smile spread across their face when they finally understand a technique that I’ve taught them, it makes it all worthwhile.
I genuinely enjoy prepping new lessons for my students. It gives me the chance to set aside time to do my own “homework” and add to my knowledge. With teaching, the teacher is never just the teacher. Believe it or not, at times the teacher does become the student. I am always learning, whether it may be from doing my own research or listening to my students. Everyone has their own perspective on things and I am fascinated by how my students think and see the world. It’s so refreshing to look at life through innocent eyes and it never gets old even though I am getting older. As a young adult I tend to overthink and over-analyze some things and they show me that life can be looked at simply if we just try to see it in a different light.
Instilling the love of creativity and making one feel valued and confident is priceless. As a practicing artist and designer I understand the feeling of vulnerability. It’s uncomfortable, thrilling and scary all at once. Any piece that we create is a part of who we are and we willingly share with the world knowing that people may judge us. It takes time to become fearless. I aim to constantly create a supportive, safe, fun, challenging and positive environment.
Being able to share my passion for the arts brings me so much joy in my life! I hope that my students enter every class of mine excited to learn, improve their skills and share their knowledge. I always strive to have them leave my class feeling great about themselves and their work, better than the previous one.
When class is over and I’m cleaning and packing up my bag, I reflect on how the class went - what went well and how I can make the next one better. I leave the building feeling accomplished and excited to return. If I can inspire at least one of my students then my job is done. I truly love this job and am grateful for the opportunity!
Erica
The suspension of OCAD University’s Florence Off-Campus Program is absurd.
As an alumni of the program, without a doubt this was the highlight of my university experience and I am sure that it was for many others as well. I learned more about art history during those eight months abroad, than all of my other four years combined at OCAD U. I lived in Italy’s rich art history each and every day being exposed to and learning about the original artworks and architecture. Everywhere I looked I felt inspired and had I not participated in the program, my practice would not have developed further from acrylic painting. I was encourage and supported to explore new mediums by my fellow classmates and professors. This helped build my confidence not only in my art practice, but in other aspects of my life as well, even to this day.
Sharing a studio space with a small group of creatives was extremely beneficial to my artistic growth and development. I learned from my professors as well as my peers. There was always someone I could talk to about my work face to face. It was so easy to communicate with everyone because we trusted and supported each other. We were in this together. Being a part of this program allowed me the time and space to learn more about myself and who I was to become as an artist in a way that could not have been done anywhere else. I made a group of friends who I consider family and that is not something that happens often. I became more responsible and independent being in a foreign place. I made connections with local artists and I still keep in contact with them. The Florence Off-Campus Program has more advantages than disadvantages.
This opportunity for students has been around for more than two decades and separates OCAD U from other schools. I question why this specific program was even an option to be taken away. I am sure that there are ways to support it so that future students will have the life-change experience that many of us had the privilege to be exposed to. I hope that the suspension for this coming year and for years to come will be reconsidered.
Erica
One of the greatest things that an artist or designer has to accept is the not everyone is going to like their work. It is impossible to please everyone and it is especially difficult for artists and designers because we are constantly being criticized and critiqued, even years later after we have produced something.
I entered into my second-year six hour painting course excited to dive into new projects! Our very first project was to create anything we wanted as long as we experimented different techniques on the 48” x 48” canvases we built and stretched. The possibilities are always endless when it comes to a blank canvas!
My plan was to create a piece for my parents’ home. I divided my canvas into several sections, each to be filled with a different technique. I went in with the intent that it was going to be an experimental piece and that I did not want to create a specific image.
While everyone was painting our professor came around to each of us to give us some feedback. As I was painting she came up to me and asked me, “What do you think about it?” I answer, “It’s not done yet, but it’s okay so far.” She paused, looked at my piece in progress then looked at me and replied, “It’s awful.” I was shocked and froze as she walked away to critique another student.
I wasn’t mad, sad, upset or angry by what she said. I was just shocked because no one has ever said that to me before. While I was washing my paint brushes I was also absorbing what my professor said to me. One of my friends from that class noticed that I was a little shook and asked what was wrong and if I was okay. I was okay. I was glad that she told me that my painting was awful. The best advice is honest advice. If she never did I would have gone through life thinking that there is no room for improvement. Not only did it do that, but it also enabled me to have thicker skin. I have learned that nothing and no one will break me and that I can always do better work.
Throughout life each and everyone one of us will encounter someone who doesn’t necessarily like something about our work. We have the option as to how we react to their opinion; we can either get upset, cry about it and stop doing what we love or we can try to understand their reasons and find opportunities for growth. It is how we perceive obstacles that will help shape who we want to become. It is important to remember that if we want to better ourselves we have to find ways to do so.
“Every setback is a setup for an even greater comeback.”
Erica
