by Athira Vinod
CREATE was definitely one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve ever had. I taught my Visual Arts class at Willard, and although I first felt apprehensive about teaching middle schoolers art, I learned that all students appreciate a safe and relaxing space to explore and share their creativity. As the weeks passed, the children quickly grew attached to their class, and as a teacher, I was able to witness the growth of my students as they finally overcame their shyness and became comfortable discussing their works.
The entire CREATE team was such a huge source of support for me as I was starting out. Every week, we all had the opportunity to share questions, concerns, or even just memorable moments that occurred throughout the past days. Our mentor also taught us valuable lessons about everything from social justice in the classroom to what to do when students get a paper cut. It was really comforting to know that there was a group of people who had my back and could help me out if I needed it.
My biggest advice to new student-teachers would be to enjoy what you do—the students enjoy most when you do! To me, being a CREATE teacher means teaching my students the most important lesson I’ve learned about art: to not be afraid of pushing the boundaries and to take pride in the work you create.
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