Why did you come to Haldane three years ago?
“I was drawn to Haldane’s small, close-knit community. Having grown up in New York City and attended LaGuardia High School as a visual art major, my experience was the polar opposite–my graduating class was significantly larger than Haldane’s entire student population. I graduated alongside people I didn’t even recognize!
My first time visiting Haldane was for my demo lesson when I was interviewing for the art teacher position. I fell in love first with the campus–I arrived early and parked at the top of the hill by Mabel Merritt overlooking the main building. It was quite the stark contrast to the concrete, prison-like building where I went to high school, where I had to pass through metal detectors and security every morning to begin my school day. I gave a lesson on narrative self-portraits to a warm and welcoming group of students who were vulnerable and open enough to make artwork that allowed me to learn something about each of them, even though I was a complete stranger who they had just met. It just felt right. I didn’t want to leave!”
What have you liked about Haldane since arriving?
“Haldane has been everything and more than I had hoped. I appreciate the opportunity to teach a diverse array of classes, which speaks to art being a multifaceted subject. The variety—not being limited to just painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, or studio art—keeps things interesting and allows me to see how students’ creative approaches change with different media and coursework. It is incredibly rewarding when students enjoy a class enough to return for another. Having been here a few years now, I feel privileged to watch them grow and develop as artists and creative thinkers.”
What’s your favorite art medium?
“In my personal practice, I most frequently make oil paintings. However, it’s hard to say that paint is my “favorite” medium because it’s just a means to an end–ultimately, it’s one of the limitless tools a visual artist has at their disposal to express themselves. The appropriate medium for whatever I am trying to create looks different each time, so in that sense, my favorite medium is whichever one best serves the current project. That said, there are benefits using traditional art media, such as accessibility and archival quality, so materials like paint and clay are tried and true!”
What is the most rewarding aspect of working as a teacher?
“There are many rewarding aspects of teaching, but one of my favorites is witnessing a student surprise themselves. It is incredibly satisfying when a student starts the year claiming they aren’t “artistic” but, through dedicated work, ends up discovering hidden talents and changing their perspective on their own creative abilities. That moment of self-discovery and pride is one of many things that make this job so fulfilling.”
