Learning All About an Amazing Art Educator for Teacher Appreciation Week

Natalie sometimes thinks back on her own time as a CPS student. To pursue art, she had to seek programs outside of school or teach herself certain skills. She never lost her passion for art, and it has now led her to become an art teacher in CPS! She loves working with students, especially those who enter her classroom without a lot of confidence in their abilities. She tries to instill positive qualities in them and has been amazed by the growth they’ve shown in her first year teaching. 

This year, we are celebrating Teacher and School Staff Appreciation Week by showcasing some of our fantastic teachers who are just getting started in their careers. We spoke with Natalie to learn firsthand about what she’s learned so far and her plans moving forward. Learn more about her story below!

Has your first year teaching been what you expected, or has it been more unexpected? 

I honestly didn’t know what to expect at all because I know that every school is different, since parts of the city are so different. I did some research on my school, Dvorak, so I felt prepared in that sense, but you still don’t know exactly what will happen. I’ve been taking things day by day, and I want to thank my students for having so much grace and being patient with me since it’s my first year. 

What are some of the key lessons you’ve learned this year? 

Our school is very big on social-emotional learning, so I’ve been trying to implement it more in my classroom. Also, as an art teacher, I see every student in the building. It’s hard for me to get to know everyone, but I’ve found that having empathy, grace, and patience for your students helps them open up to you more. 

Is there something that stands out as your favorite memory from this school year? 

The moments that really make me happy are when my students open up to me in one-on-one conversations, because that helps me learn more about their lives. These moments remind me not to label myself as a bad educator if I have a rough day. They show that I am making a positive impact. 

Are there any new ways you are looking to highlight the connections between art and social-emotional learning in your classroom moving forward? 

This year, I’ve done a lot of SEL “warmups” during the first few minutes of the class, but, moving forward, I want to be more intentional about incorporating SEL into the actual projects that students are doing. For example, my third-grade class created “Mood Cities,” where they drew buildings with faces that reflected different emotions. I also think analyzing art can help students draw out their feelings. 

What tips would you give to an art educator who is just getting started?

Be very kind to yourself. It’s okay that you don’t have a lot of experience teaching, because no one in your building is going to judge you or be hard on you. We are all learning together every day. And make sure you take some time to learn from your students, too! 

What message would you like to share with your students? 

You are enough! No matter what challenges you face, I hope you remember to be kids even when you may feel like you are being forced to grow up too quickly. You are capable of being as successful as anyone else in the world.