Art teaches skills applicable to all aspects of life
For Michelle Adrian, life is good!
She enjoys her work — teaching art and coaching volleyball at Springfield High School and rural life with her husband, Matthew, and their 17-month-old son, Caden.
“When I was very young I really liked art and won art competitions in elementary school, said Michelle, who grew up with two older brothers on a farm near Dundee and attended Heron Lake-Okabena High School. “I didn’t have the opportunity to take art in junior high because it just didn’t work out in my schedule of classes,” she said during a recent interview. “I didn’t have an art class until my senior year.”
Michelle was actively involved in extra-curricular activities during high school. She played volleyball and was a middle hitter. She was also involved in Basketball, J.O. Volleyball, Band, Choir, Theater, National Honor Society, Student Council, Knowledge Bowl, Speech, FFA and 4-H.
During college she participated in intramural volleyball, was art tutor for two years, and was involved in the Catholic Newman Center, Campus Crusade for Christ, and Circle K International.
As she considered a career choice, she was interested in graphic design.
Michelle chose Wayne State College, a regional, four-year college in the rural setting of Wayne, Nebraska, that offers programs in business, education, arts and sciences, and pre-professional studies. She had the good fortune at a college fair to meet a recruiter who had just graduated from Wayne State with a major in graphic design and advertising who was very enthusiastic about her college experiences. Michelle applied for admission and was accepted with full scholarship.
“I needed to take art classes in college in order to be a graphic designer,” she recalled. Her teacher recognized her natural talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in art, and she was offered an opportunity to be an art tutor that gave her some experience in teaching.
For three years, Michelle studied graphic arts as her major. “I was going to be a graphic designer, and then I worked at a Bible camp over the summer,” she recalled. “During a visit with a friend one weekend, I cried and told her that I didn’t want to be a graphic designer, after all.”
“Thank God,” her friend responded.
“What do you mean?” Michelle asked. “What am I supposed to do with my life?”
“You should be an art teacher and a volleyball coach,” her friend responded.
It seems those were the words Michelle needed to hear. She finished college, earning art and education degrees with a coaching endorsement, then began her teaching career in Springfield. She currently is in her third year teaching art at Springfield High School. This past fall she was assigned volleyball coach.
And, she couldn’t be happier. “It all worked out,” she said. All the pieces seemed to fall into place. Her life is busy and fulfilled as an educator, farm wife and young mother.
Michelle loves the arts. “Acrylic painting is my passion,” she said. “I do a lot of portraits and give them as gifts such as engagement pictures for weddings. Occasionally I get hired to do a painting.” She likes painting pictures of people.
Art is, basically, a way of expression. Art teaches us a way to be exactly who we are in so many different ways, she said. “Students learn a lot about themselves as they are challenged to create art. I know I learned a lot about myself.”
Art teaches us to think creatively and can help with problem solving in all areas of life,” Michelle added. “Art strengthens spatial reasoning and coordination skills, to see things a little more closely and with a sharper observation.”
Art teachers bring out the inner artists of students to help build skills and self –confidence. While children undeniably relish participating in all types of arts activities, as demonstrated through the imaginative visual, literary and performance projects they create, involvement in the arts also teaches children skills that are applicable to all aspects of life.
All that adds to the enjoyment and rewards of teaching.