My natural talent and skills in art were no accident. I’ve created art for as long as I can remember and continue to this day. My art was my strength when my academics were not. I learned how to build confidence with my art and that led me to many opportunities to set myself apart. I grew up in an era where ADHD was not really known to be a learning disability and I struggled in school. I was told by my parents and teachers that I needed to try harder and not to be lazy. I ended up thinking I was not a smart person because I had no one who understood what I felt. Except, when I was in 8th grade, my social studies teacher allowed me to create art that was a reflection of what I was learning. He was the first to notice my talent as a strength and connected it to the lesson that was being taught. This was my first experience for understanding that I was just as important as the rest of the class, and my art wasn’t just a hobby.

 

My dream of going to college wasn’t something that was ever brought up with my family. I wanted to go to the American Academy of Art in Chicago, Illinois, and I needed a plan. I decided that joining the military would be my best option, and so I did. During my service, I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. This news came as an understanding of my struggles as a student during junior high and high school. With only having six months left of service time, I was appointed by my Command Sergeant Major (CMS) to be his personal mural painter. Soon after my honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, I applied for the American Academy of Art and was accepted into the program.  Three years later I graduated from the Academy with a Bachelor’s of Fine Art, with a major in Illustration.

 

While having multiple years of experience as a professional artist, it came to me one day while working in my studio with my children that I was able to teach some advanced techniques such as light source and perspective to my children who are very young and would not have known for their ages. This inspired me that maybe teaching art was supposed to be the next chapter for my life. Using the last bit of my veteran benefits, I applied and was accepted to the Art Design and Education program at Northern Illinois University in the Spring of 2014. Even though I have a learning disability, I have learned and created new techniques of learning to complete classes and work. I understand and love the idea that I will always be a student myself because I feel that I will be learning something new from my students.

 

As I stated in the beginning, my natural talent and skills were no accident. I truly believe I was given this gift to make our world a better place. I feel that with my experience with art I have developed strategies to overcome obstacles and challenges. I feel my creativity has always set me apart. I believe that applying creativity to any subject will result in a more effective and remarkable outcome. Having a learning disability has forced my creativity and determination to help me succeed. I understand that every child is different and that requires an understanding that some children need a different approach to learning. In order to teach any struggling child, a little creativity and thinking outside the box is what that child will need to succeed. I have more of a connection with any student who was born with a learning disability, and that is why I can be and will be a great teacher. My degree is art but my dedication and passion are teaching students how to think outside the box and to be a greater person.