As you reach the end of the art wing, you’ll come across Mrs. Stutzman’s classroom, an open door for exploring your creativity. She is one of our three art teachers here in the High School, teaching not only Intro to Art, but also 3D and Advanced 3D art classes. You may find her teaching other classes too based on the enrollment into them, as she has taught classes like DIY before.
Stutzman has worked in the Pottsgrove School District since 2005, starting her time teaching art at Ringing Rocks. When centers started, she moved up to Lower Pottsgrove, and is now on her 8th teaching at the Pottsgrove High School. Though before she was here, she had a part-time job in the Cocalico School District at Reamstown Elementary, as well as being a substitute in other districts to fill in the days.
Her dream of being an art teacher started when she was young, taking an admiration for the job from her elementary school art teacher, Mrs. Marteslo. She talked about how all the projects and opportunities the teacher provided for her inspired her to want to be just like that.
However, she originally started in Early Childhood Education, convinced by a guidance counselor that continuing a focus on art would lead to less opportunities when it came to a career. Though she eventually found her way back to art through a switch to Art Education. Stutzman got her undergraduate degree from Millersville University, has a Masters in Classroom Technology from Wilkes University, and has taken more post-graduate classes elsewhere to continue her education.
“ I like to be inspired by what they create,” Stutzman said when asked her favorite part about teaching art. There are multiple times throughout our interview where she mentions the amount of inspiration that her students’ creativity brings to her. The way they interact with and twist what they are given is something so inspiring to her.
“ I like to make projects relevant.” She said when it came to asking how she keeps students motivated. She also believes in giving them a choice on where to take their projects, as well as making sure to give positive feedback in order to continue to push her students to want to create.
However her students aren’t her only outlet for inspiration. “ It’s morphed throughout my career.” She said, the digital age having an effect on the source. Before technology really got big she would look to textbooks and museums, pulling her inspiration from the work of others before her. She talked about how when Pinterest came around she was completely entranced by it, getting lost in the opportunities and inspiration of creations. She also mentions how she can draw inspiration from art by students from other districts.
This was followed by asking what helps her keep herself motivated, in which she gave a multitude of answers. She talked about how she likes to take classes outside of school, and how there’s a studio near her house that she likes to go to. “ My home is like a living art piece.” She said and goes on to explain how she also creates art with her kids. Another thing that helps her stay motivated is journaling and sketching.
“ Online is easiest,” Stutzman said when asked where her favorite place to get art supplies is. Offline she mentions AC Moore or Michael’s, “ Art aisle anywhere really.” She added.
Art can make one feel a variety of emotions, one can put their emotions into their art. “ It makes me feel peaceful,” Stutzman said. She had a hard time putting it into words, how creating art makes her feel, but eventually came to, “ Instead of taking in, you’re making something.”.
“ It’s a great way to express creative ideas, and think deeply about your ideas.” She said in response to being asked why she believes art is important to students. She believes it’s important that they create art with their hands rather than the computers in front of them. She talked about how it can help students explore problem-solving when it comes to creating a piece of art.
Stutzman has been doing this for many years and has watched many students find themselves in the art they create. “ It’s why I do what I do.” She answered when asked about how that impacts her. She finds their excitement inspiring and enjoys seeing how they find themselves as an artist through any medium. She hopes to impact her students by hoping they have a creative outlet no matter how far they go in life, if at all. Having a creative outlet is something she believes that her students can have to fall back on when needed. Stutzman also said how art can be an underlying factor in some jobs, and how having that creative outlet can help out.
“ It’s a privilege to be here.” She said as we began to wrap up. She notes how she had been nervous to move up to the high school, but ended up loving it. She loved seeing the students she met when they were young grow into amazing people when she met them again here in the High School. Although all of those students have graduated, she still finds it refreshing to see as new talent enters her view, and hopes to continue to explore with them.
