About
Hello! I LOVE ART! I have been teaching art for around 15 years. I very much enjoy nurturing the spark of creativity in my students!
I enjoy helping people feel confident and achieve their goals. I have studied teaching art for the last 20 years and have around 15 years of teaching experience. I started my education journey with an Associates' degree in Fine Arts. I moved on to a Bachelors's degree in Art Education with a concentration in painting and a minor in graphic design. My Masters' degree is in Curriculum and Instruction as I worked on honing in my craft of teaching. I have taught in a number of public schools with students from ages 5-21. In 2014 I resigned from my tenure NYS public school teaching position to branch out and teach students of all ages. I started a business and ran an Art Studio from 2014- 2017. Since then I have taken some time for myself and helped out in long term substitute positions and part-time positions. I really enjoy helping a student gain the skills that they so desire. Art is a process, not a destination. Looking for students who are up for the roller coaster ride that comes with the process of growth!
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I like to get to know my students. Their interests and motivations are all very helpful in creating a rewarding curriculum for them.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have an A.A. in Fine Art from Fulton-Montgomery Community College. I earned a B.S. from The College of St. Rose in Art Education with a minor in graphic design and a concentration in painting. I also have an M.S. in Curriculum & Instruction from SUNY Plattsburgh. All of this education helped me follow my dreams to become an Art Teacher in Albany with K-2 students at Albany Community Charter School. I then moved onto a position in the Amsterdam School district working with High School students. I taught Studio in Art and Advanced Drawing & Painting for 6 years there. I also helped build the art program with multiple contests, a standard of grade level expectation, and continued on the yearly art show. The last 3 years I worked for the Amsterdam School District I took on K-5 students on top of my high school students and duties. I enjoyed my time teaching for the Amsterdam School District until the time came for me to spread my wings and expand to a new student base. I resigned from my tenured position in 2014 and started "ARTvoice". ARTvoice (follow the Facebook link to check out photos and reviews, the page is now called Art & Ardor) was a traveling art studio that gave me the ability to take on new students from age 5-95. I specialized in kids lessons, Art birthday parties, Paint n Sip parties, private lessons, and artistic commissions. It was a special time, but I decided to close that chapter in 2017 and take some time for myself and my family. Since then I worked as a long term substitute for 7th and 8th grade art in the Duanesburg School District and held a part-time art position in the Troy School District. For the last year and a half I have worked as an online Art Teacher with itutor.com and love teaching art online!
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
All art lessons are instruction, demonstration, discussion, and live feed critique time online only. My standard price is $25/hr.
How did you get started teaching?
I followed my heart and continued learning about and creating art in college. I realized around 21 years old that teaching would be the next logical step for me. I enjoy introducing the artistic process to people and engaging them in their learning process. My study of art has brought so many unique things to my life and I love to share it all with others.
What types of students have you worked with?
All types, everyone! I have worked in schools with students k-12, worked with students with disabilities of all kinds, worked with elderly students with limited mobility, with adults in workshops and art parties... I have expanded in many directions with my art teaching practice.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I am fond of both of my step-daughters recent challenges and victories! My youngest, Sophia, is 8 and she just discovered softball and playing on a team sport. It was so awesome to see her grow with a team and have some success through her hard work. My oldest, Olivia, just turned 13 and she worked extraordinarily hard this year at becoming a responsible student! She finished off the year with all A's and I couldn't be more proud of her.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Find someone who is willing to get to know your interest and motivations. Having a tailored curriculum makes your learning experience more fulfilling and enjoyable. Also, find someone very encouraging, but someone who also gives you constructive criticism. You can learn to draw and paint, but it's scary, so be good to you and remember anything is possible if you work hard. Be patient and have fun!
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Ability in drawing is a skill and you can and will improve if you work for it. Ask yourself:
1. What would I like to create/draw/paint?
2. How much time do I want to do this a session?
3. What is your goal for the class? (Dream big, it's all possible)
4. What tools will you use? Art media can get pricey, so it's good to research and know what your budget is before you begin.
5. How do I learn best? Are you patient enough to watch a tutorial/demonstration? Or do you like to work along with? Do you work very slow and detailed? Or are you a quick goal oriented learner that adjust their pace to fit the daily lesson?
6. How do you like to receive constructive criticism? One fast quick sentence or do you like to slowly ease into it.