Virginia Jose

Art Educator

What attracts you about being a teacher?

I love the power that one person has…that ratio that one person to a group whether be it adults or children. I love education; I love the fact finding and the fact that I have to know a little bit about everything to be able to deliver to my students.

So how is teaching art different from others…why have you chosen that?

I actually had this whole thing in my mind – I’m going to be a lawyer or an architect. Becoming an art teacher really happened as an accident. Because I found myself going through high school with teachers telling me that you know you’re writing is fantastic – you really should consider becoming an educator. And I would say ah, I’m not going to become a teacher. But I decided I think our education encompasses all of my interests. I’m an artist first and foremost and to be able to help others develop that in themselves… so I find myself in the classroom now and I’m like yea this is the right choice.

What public schooling like for you?

So in Washington Heights…growing up…similar issues like with the kids that I work with now. You know, poor families, run-down areas…just really not a place for a middle school student, an elementary school student to walk around and just hang out in. So I think that a lot of our kids go through that right now. I’m here to show that you don’t stay on the block, you don’t stay in the hood and I know they’re tired of hearing this from other people on TV and they sometimes think what they call corny. They think it’s not important. But they see it – they go you know what, maybe I can do that too. I have kids who want to be teachers. I would never thought in a million years that because of me they’d want to be an educator.

Did you major in education?

I studied two majors at a time. So I was working towards an Illustration, Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and I was also doing the art education program at the time. I was constantly working through the studio work, doing the design work…building that up and taking my psychology, education classes, doing my student teaching. I worked in different settings…I worked in museums, I’ve worked in classrooms. I had to sacrifice a lot because I knew this is where I wanted to be and I would prefer this over working in an office – that’s not me. I wouldn’t be fulfilled. This is very rewarding and it’s in the line of what I do so…that’s pretty much where it comes from.

How do you incorporate art into curriculum?

I’m really big on them finding strength in themselves to be proud of them as individuals. You don’t have to copy everything you see, you don’t have to follow everybody’s steps, you can do your own thing. A lot of times my projects are a combination of another subject area other than just the visual arts. But there’s always, always a hint of personal choices that they make. This is like the strength of my class here. And writing. So interdisciplinary is the key word here. I infuse writing in every project.

Can you talk about how art is a part of your life outside of teaching?

I’m an active practicing artist. I’m anywhere from freelancing as an illustrator to creating pieces for shows, galleries, exhibitions of that sort. It forces me as a teacher to make sure that I have my stuff here ready to go. And often what I do is that I leave things ready for the next day. Lot of focus. Really disciplined. But it’s wonderful. These things inspire me. And I get ideas. And when they see the connections like the kids always ask me “what have you done, are you doing this, what did you do yesterday?” you know, it’s cool.

What brings you back day-to-day?

I really find it rewarding. I mean the impact that I am leaving – the fact that I’m a part of these kids lives means so much more to me. I don’t make my salary like my reason to be here. And that’s more than enough reason for me. I’m here because I really want to help continue with what’s happening with them in their lives and contribute to their development as young artists, as appreciators of the arts.

What do you think misperceptions, mistakes young teachers have or make…

You can’t befriend every student. That’s the first thing. You really want your kids to like you. You don’t know half the time what students you’re going to have but a lot of first year teachers they really want to have this relationship with the student that - its not realistic. You want to be there for them but they need to be able to see that you are their teacher. And there is a certain boundary there that needs to be respected. Otherwise, they can’t take you serious in a certain light.

Did you have support from your family in pursuing this career?

Art as a career was not respected. Many Latin-American families - they’re like excuse me, I thought you were going to be a doctor, you should have been an engineer. I really had to back up everything that I did and now its like wow, really…you’re a professional artist. That’s a fantastic thing that you have going. And you love it. I mean defending what I do both as an artist and as an educator in the arts, those are the hardest things for me. But you know, you get better at it. It’s just more ammunition. Keep it coming.