|
|
Erin Gulick Dresher
I've been teaching Art for thirteen years, eleven of those here at Peterson. I spent my first two years of teaching at Northwest High School just around the corner.
I grew up here in Wichita attending the Catholic schools. I never took art classes because they did not interest me (much to the dismay of my artist mother). However, I did play in the band for eight years and spent my last two years of high school on the yearbook staff as a photographer and layout artist. This is where art finally caught my ... read more eye.
I began at Wichita State University majoring in graphic design. I loved paste up and layout design and thrived in all the details necessary to make things camera ready. However, three years into my degree the entire field went to computers and all the things I loved disappeared. After staying in that major for another year, in denial that I couldn't stand digital graphics, I finally changed to Art Education with a minor in Early Childhood. I always wanted to teach but had tried to squelch that calling for a long time because it just seemed too obvious of a career choice (you're good with kids, you should teach). One month into my new major I found new enthusiasm and passion in myself and knew I'd made the right choice. Art is timeless, kids are a daily blast--put the two together and you just can't go wrong!
When I student taught at the high school level I was terrified because I thought they'd eat me alive. I'd not had Art in high school so I thought they'd already have "one up on me". Little did I know that high schoolers are just kids in big bodies, so I ended up starting my teaching career with the big kids. I loved the personalities and capabilities of my big kids but when I had my adorable red-headed daughter I knew I needed a teaching gig that didn't require all-night kiln firings or weekend studio work sessions.....so here I am with the littles...loving it more and more each day. And now I even teach that adorable red head as a third grader!
Growing up in an artistic family I've always had the arts around me and I think I took that for granted. My mother was an active artist all her life and went back to college right after I did. Due to arthritis and the after effects of a masectomy she could only use her left hand/arm....and she was right-handed. However, she learned to throw on the wheel one-handed and re-learned to draw and paint and do calligraphy. Her passion for art and creation was THAT amazing! I learned from her that art wasn't just a hobby or a nice pretty thing to kill time. This was ingrained in her very being and nothing upon nothing was going to stop her from creating and expressing her visual ideas. I teach kids like that and I have to honor and respect and challenge their passion and drive.
My oldest brother is also an active artist here in town, alone and also with the Famous Dead Artist group. He had a solo show in NYC in the fall of 2005 and another solo show in Berlin in the fall of 2006! Yeah, WOW! He makes mostly mobiles but also does other various assemblage pieces. You can visit him at http://www.christophergulick.com/ Currently Chris has a show with two other local artists in childrens' area of the Wichita Art Museum. "InterActive" is on exhibit there until for an undetermined amount of time, but it's constantly changing and is a load of fun!
I feel blessed by God to have been given the upbringing in Art that I was given so that I could answer His call to teach. The experieces I have with my students daily is a privilege, honor and blessing. They surprise me with every assignment and their smiles, laughter and "Art is my favorite subject!" statements makes every day worth it.
Thank you, parents, for sharing your children with me. Thank you, visitors, for coming to see my students' work. Pretty amazing, isn't it?
Erin
|
