Not very many people say art is easy.  Some teachers that aren’t even an art teacher say that art is easy, but it’s not.  

What is your favorite thing about art?

Mrs. Porter- “My favorite thing is definitely clay. Every kid has played with and usually loves play-doh, or mud, or salt dough. When you pick up a piece of clay as a teenager or adult, it is something that is so familiar to so many people. I love that you can do so many things with one simple chunk of clay, and I also find it to be the most stress-relieving art form.” 

Dr.Rinkevich- “One of my favorite things to do is to watch students get excited when they are able to take an Idea in their head and turn it into something on paper, canvas, clay, etc.  I also like when students realize how much “ART” plays a role in our everyday lives and what we see each day. ”

How do you make students want to take art? 

Mrs. Porter- “I don’t try to make them, I try to show them what they are capable of. If I had a dollar for every time someone told me that they “could only make stick figures”, then I wouldn’t have to teach! (But I still would, because I love it). I take great joy in helping students learn that they definitely CAN make something more than a stick figure. I love art so much that I try to pass that love to others”

Dr Rinkevich- “I like to remind students that art isn’t just about making “things” or just for people who have natural talent. It’s about seeing the world around us in a different way. It is about learning processes and continuing to work towards a goal, even though there may be roadblocks along the way!”

What made you want to teach art?

Mrs. Porter- “I have loved making art for as long as I can remember, but I didn’t know what I wanted to do as a career. I entered IUP as Undecided with an emphasis in studio art. A friend of mine got me involved in an art teaching program called Bright Ideas when I was a sophomore and I was hooked. I didn’t know until I started teaching here at the high school just how much I enjoyed specifically working with high school students.”

Dr. Rinkevich- “A teacher I had in my first year of college actually suggested that I look into teaching. It wasn’t really something on my radar at the time. I took some art education classes and had some great professors who encouraged me to keep going.  I was still unsure if I was going to be able to make it as a teacher but then I worked with Mrs. Miller (a now retired IHS art teacher) for my student teaching experience and she made sure I changed my mind.”