EXPLORER
It wasn’t until this year that I figured out that I learn visually and retain information best with graphic organizers, and from trial and error. At Sir Winston Churchill Secondary, my interests in working with my hands, whether it be drawing, painting, sculpting, engraving, welding, sanding, or experimenting with make up and technology, were a safe place for me to fail, and learn from my mistakes. I strongly believe in learning through play, which led me to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts.
ARTIST
When I was accepted to Emily Carr University of Art + Design, I was also offered a position to create two junior art classes at the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver, to assist the senior teacher in familiarizing 4 to 7 year olds with materials, shapes, and being in the classroom. Soon after, the senior teacher retired and I was given her four classes, teaching 7 to 14 year olds techniques and skills, while weaving in concepts and history that I was learning at the time.
Given that these were weekend classes, I also had the time to tutor Art, Math, French, and English privately and at tutoring centres. In the summer, I was a daycamp leader at Trout Lake Community Centre, teaching entirely through play and kinaesthetic experiences. I also took an Art Pedagogy course at ECUAD which gave me the opportunity to create my own program to teach weekly after school at J.W. Sexsmith Elementary. All these positive experiences inspired me to think deeper into my role in the community.
EDUCATOR
In my last year, I was given the chance to write a paper that connects Arts to my interests. That’s when I encountered the idea of the Educational/Pedagogical Turn. It positions the role of the Artist, Curator, and Educator on a similar platform, as communicators of messages to a specific audience. That’s when I realized that my role as an artist might have a greater impact if I was also an educator.
At UBC, I started to pursue my Bachelor of Education with these idealistic theories in mind. However, my extended practicum showed me that teaching in a private setting is very different than teaching in the public domain. Read more about my practicum experiences and reflection HERE.