Mapping in Clay

In this project, I have mapped out my Educational Lineage using small ceramic tiles to represent the skills and influences that I have accumulated along my educational journey. Using a physical and tactile medium was important to me in this exploration, because learning through making has been essential to my growth as a student, and artist, and an aspiring educator.

Roots in Education

I attribute my pathway to education to my family members and many friends who themselves have or had careers in K-12 education. While I did not find myself pursuing this endeavor until later in life, being close to other educators was the influence that ignited the flame.

K-12

My experience in K-12 learning was difficult both socially and academically. While I struggle with many core subjects in school, I thrived in music and art, learning multiple instruments and winning Scholastic awards in drawing. My art teacher throughout high school, Jack Summers, was an essential influence, encouraging me to pursue new mediums (I loved pastels so much and never would have picked up a paintbrush without his persuasion ). In my senior year of high school, I attended classes at the Grosse Pointe Community High School, for students with learning challenges, and under the guidance of director Deb Trapp, I was able to pursue more creative routes to learning in core subjects, rather than traditional lecture and assessment models, and without this opportunity I may not have graduated. Her influence is absolutely integral to my desire to work with high school students.

Cosmetology School

After high school, I continued my educational path at the College for Creative Studies, choosing to major in Interior Design. However, I became discouraged and decided not to re-enroll after one semester. Seeking another pathway to a creative career, I chose to enroll at the David Pressley School of Cosmetology. Trade school is set up with a very specific career pathway in mind and is structured to equip students with the basic and necessary skills to begin said career, and it was very successful is doing so. I was lucky enough to find salon work almost immediately out of school, which I balanced with my work in food and beverage service.

Career Experience

Through my careers in hospitality and as a hair stylist, I accumulated many “life skills” that were not (and perhaps could not be) taught through formal education. The social and relationship building skills, community building, and empathy for others I was able to foster in both service and leadership roles within the hospitality industry are fundamental to becoming a person who is capable of leading young learners, and I am grateful that the work I have done will equip me to do so. Learning a lot of “life lessons” has also changed my perspective as an artist, and making work is much more personal because I have lived such a dynamic life.

College

I returned to the College for Creative Studies to once again pursue an undergraduate degree in 2018. Returning to college later in life with some career experience and much more life experience made it so much more worthwhile to me. During my undergraduate time, I was able to travel abroad and study other cultures, learn and enjoy technical skills I’d never previously practiced (welding, ceramics, printmaking), practice creating writing, portfolio building, and work as an intern with Henry Ford Health, which would become the catalyst for my next pursuit in Art Ed. While interning with the Healing Arts program, I was able to assist the onsite Art Therapist, and from there I was able to finally deduce that the best way for me to use art in service of others, and apply the skills I’ve accumulated throughout my educational journey, is to become an educator myself and inspire another generation of artists.