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Incito Art Class
My earliest art class memory was being chosen to participate in a gifted art program in 7th grade at South Side Middle School in Columbiana, Ohio. I remember doing a lot of sculptural projects including creating a mask using paper mache. This was the first time I was recognized for having artistic ability. -
Art 1 Class: Columbiana High School
This was the only art class that I took in high school. The teacher of this course was influential in my decision to explore an art related field in college. Throughout this class I learned basic art technique including perspective drawing. I was influenced from the technical qualities of drafting and decided to attend school to become an interior designer. -
Interior Design: Kent State University
I attended Kent State University and majored in interior design. Several classes into the program, I realized that I didn't want to become an interior designer. My decision was unfortunately influenced by a professor that I had. In my opinion this professor was very narrow-minded when it came to design and consequently I did poorly in her class. -
Camp Twin Creeks: West Virginia
Working at a children's camp was a game changer. At this point I knew I didn't want to be an interior designer, but what was I going to do? While working at Camp Twin Creeks, I realized that I liked working with children and that I was good at it. I wanted to combine my passion for art and working with children. Ultimately this is when I decided to become an art educator. -
Art History 1: Kent State Salem Branch
My art history professor was influential in how I viewed the educator's role in the classroom. I remember being nervous about having to recall specific art history information. My professor taught me the importance of understanding the thoughts and ideas behind an artwork. This is the important information not necessarily the exact date or the size of the piece. -
Sculpture Class: Kent State Stark Branch
This class impacted and broadened my artistic abilities. I learned a lot about looking and thinking about art in the round. This was my first college sculpture class and I learned how to create a plaster cast and work with metal. I remember creating a three-dimensional flower out of metal. -
Printmaking Class: University of Akron
While attending Kent State University, I took a printmaking class at the University of Akron. This class gave the opportunity to network and connect with art students from another university. The professor of this course gave me the opportunity to explore and embrace the grittiness of etchings. -
Photography: Youngstown State University
This was one of the first art classes I took after transferring to Youngstown State University. I moved back home to finish my degree and to save money. This class focused on black and white traditonal photography, I loved the hands on nature of photography from taking the picture to developing the film, and making prints. The professor of this class was one of the youngest professors that I have had and encouraged a modern fresh take on the art world. Pictured is one my photographs. -
Student Teaching: Mr. Aker
I had the opportunity to work with three different art educators during my student teaching experience at Youngstown State University. Each teacher offered something different in my development. My first cooperating teacher was Mr. Aker and he taught high school. He had been teaching for over 25 years and gave me practical tips and tricks to accompany a traditional art education. This is a printmaking project I did with his Art 3/4 class. -
Student Teaching: Mr. Piper
My second cooperating teacher, Mr.Piper also taught high school art. He had only been teaching for a couple of years and taught me how to make the transition from university to practical teaching. Mr. Piper offered me contemporary teaching strategies and advice on how to connect with modern day students. This one of the finished lessons that I implemented. -
Student Teacher: Mrs. Spencer
My last student teaching experience was at the elementary level with Mrs. Spencer. She took a crafty approach to art creation and gave me practical organizational strategies to use when teaching a large amount of students in a limited space. This is a group project that I implemented with her 3rd graders. -
First Job: Quest Charter Academy
I got my first teaching job at Quest Charter Academy in Taylor, Michigan. The school was brand new so it was interesting to start from scratch. It has been a great opportunity to watch my students grow over the past 4 years. I am currently still teaching K-8th grade at Quest Charter Academy. Pictured is a Modigliani self-portrait project that I implemented in my classroom. -
Graduate School: University of Florida
I chose to attend The University of Florida's Master's Program to continue my education. I wanted to attend this program because of the universities stellar academic reputation and the summer studio component. -
Sketchbook Class: University of Florida
This class opened my eyes to embracing the process of art creation. I have always been a planner and encouraged my students to do the same. This professor helped me to let things happen more organically. Here is an altered book that I created in this course.
