Year Graduated
2011

Major/ Minor
Bachelors in Art with a concentration in Photography

What are you up to now?
Elementary Art teacher in chesterfield county. I have been an itinerate for the past three years, which means I work at more than one school. This year I travel to 3 schools.

How does your art major/minor inform your career? How did it help you get to where you are now?
Without my art major I would not be able to teach my young kiddos. I love sharing stories with them about all the different types of art classes I had to take to become an art teacher. I also let them know that I was not the best at every type of art and that it was ok because I got better with time.

What are some of the most valuable skills you gained from the School of Art, Design and Art History?
Drawing. If it was not for having to get out from behind my camera and take drawing classes I would not feel as comfortable as I am now in front of my students. Five year olds can be tough critics!

What is your advice for JMU students knowing what you know now?
Go out of your comfort zone! Take the art class you never thought you could do, or even see yourself doing. This might be the only time you can be in a ceramics studio, dark room, learn to weld, etc.