Teacher Impact On Art by Brianna

Teacher Impact On Art by Brianna - January 2025 Scholarship Essay

When I think about a teacher who has profoundly impacted my educational aswell as my future career jounrey, Mr. McDevitt from rampart High School immeditaley comes to mind. During my sophmore year, I took Mr. McDevitt's US History class. Two specific experiences stand out as that highlights his encouragement and lasting impact he's had on my self motivation.

During an assignment where we were asked to explore a historical time period through writing, drawing, or creating a poster. I chose the shogunate period in Japan and quickly sketched a Shogun on my iPad to fulfill the requirement. I wasn't particularly invested in the assignment; my goal was simply to get it done. As I worked on my drawing, Mr. McDevitt passed by and immediatley reacted to the drawing. Although he knew I was an artist, he had never seen any of my work before. His reaction was enthusiastic and genuine and asked me if I could quickly submit the drawing for him to print and frame it. A few days later, I was suprised to actually see the print above his desk, let alone printed on glossy paper and proudly framed in his classroom. That moment was both humorous because of the amount of effort I had put into the drawing and was truthfully not the greatest, but nonetheless Mr. McDevitt acknowledged my work. I felt a sense of accomplishment because of Mr. McDevitt's efforts to celebrating my work.

The encouragement I recieved from Mr. McDevitt partly inspired me to take my art seriously. that summer as I prepared for my junior year, I decided to sell my art at a local event in the city. I spent the entire summer planning my booth and marketing to showcase my work finally. I was determined to gain some experience life as a true artist. When I returned to school, I shared th event dteails with my favorite teachers, including Mr. McDevitt. To my suprise and delight, he and his wife came to the event. He purchased a print and showed his support yet again. That print sits on his desk next to the Shogun. Jokingly, I tell him that he has a shrine for my work which he proudly accepts.

Mr. McDevitt's encouragement and support gave me the confidence to pursue my passion for art more seriously. His genuine enthusiasm for my work showed me the impact a teacher can have when they truly belive in their students. Because of him, I've grown as an artist as a person, learning to embrace opportunities and trust my abilites.