More Than an Art Room

I’ve loved making art for as long as I can remember. Like, always. Some kids carried around stuffed animals—I carried around sketchbooks (or whatever passed as one at the time). I was incredibly lucky to grow up with parents who encouraged that love instead of suggesting I try something more “practical.” I took lessons from a family friend when I was little, and my dad—who is a much better artist than he gives himself credit for—showed me more than a few tricks about drawing along the way.

By the time I hit high school, I was that kid who signed up for every art class available. Painting? Yes. Drawing? Absolutely. Pottery? Please and thank you. I was fortunate to attend a school that actually had plenty of art options, and I had an amazing pottery teacher who changed the way I thought about creativity. She didn’t just care about the rubric—she encouraged us to push past it, to experiment, to take risks, and to see assignments as starting points instead of finish lines. That mindset stuck with me.

When I got to college, I started out as a fine arts major… with absolutely no idea what I wanted to do with it. At one point, I even worked toward nursing instead of art. And honestly? I enjoyed the classes. But something felt off. I missed the art room. I missed the mess, the smell of clay, the quiet focus mixed with chaotic creativity. So I did what felt right: I went back to the studio.

Along the way, I discovered that I loved teaching. Like, really loved it. So I decided to combine the two and major in art education. My goodness—was that a good choice.

After graduating with my bachelor’s degree, I landed a job teaching art at a local junior high. I will forever be grateful for that opportunity. The students, the teachers, the administration—truly incredible people. It was there that I learned just how special the art room can be.

First Art as a Teacher

I made this sign for my first classroom. I really believe that part of succeeding in art is being willing to try things that might not work.

As an art teacher, I often heard, “You’re so lucky—you teach art! The kids actually want to be there.” And while I understood the sentiment, that wasn’t always the case. Some students signed up because their friends were in the class. Some chose art because it felt less scary than singing or playing an instrument. Others ended up in my room simply because they didn’t care enough to be specific when filling out their schedules—and voilà, it was Mrs. Gomez’ class for them.

And you know what? I loved having them anyway.

Of course, every teacher has students they don’t totally jive with—that’s just part of being human. But one of my favorite challenges as an art teacher was finding something for the kids who didn’t “want to be there” but somehow still found themselves in third period art. I truly believe there is something for everyone in the arts. No, I don’t mean everyone should become a professional artist or leave my class ready to animate the next Disney movie. I mean that every student can discover new skills, build confidence, and use strengths they didn’t even realize they had.

The art room is a place for creativity, problem-solving, vulnerability, learning to deal with failure, and trying again anyway. It’s a space where students learn that messing up is part of the process—and often the most interesting part. Few things make me happier than watching a student try something they were convinced they couldn’t do… and then seeing the pride on their face when they realize they actually did it.

And yes, I’ve heard the phrase “I can’t even draw a stick figure” more times than I can count. I always smile when I hear it—because even those people (yes, you included) absolutely have a place in the art room.

One of the most important things I try to teach is that art is never about perfection. No matter how skilled you become, perfection isn’t the goal. In fact, I think the idea of perfection often gets in the way of making great art. There is something incredibly powerful about creating simply for the sake of creating—no pressure, no comparison, no impossible standards.

Some of my favorite moments as a teacher have come years later, when former students tell me they’re still painting, still drawing, still creating—because somewhere along the way, they learned that they could, and that it was fun. It still amazes me that “little old me” has been able to have that kind of impact.

Another thing I love about teaching art is how much I learn from my students. Just as there are students who don’t want to be there, there are so many who absolutely do. I’ve taught incredibly talented students who have completely blown me away. I had a professor in college who used to say, “Some of your students will be good at art because of you, and some will be good at art in spite of you.” I think about that quote often.

Those students—the ones who came in already bursting with talent—I don’t take credit for their skills. They arrived that way. I just get to help guide them, collaborate with them, and maybe offer a nudge or two along their path. And in the process, I learn so much from how they see the world and approach their work.

No matter the medium we’re exploring—paint, clay, pencil, or something completely unexpected—being an art teacher is one of my favorite things in the world. I’m so grateful I found my way back to the art room in college and chose teaching as my path. I can’t wait to see how this next chapter of teaching continues to grow my love for art, creativity, and the incredible students I get to work with along the way.