*Art Teacher*
By: BHS Staff Profiles
December 16, 2022
This week’s final Staff Spotlight goes to Mrs. Marcie Lowell. This is her twenty-sixth year of teaching in the Brooklyn City School District. She has taught in other schools as a substitute, but overall, her main career has been here. In her free time, she can be found gardening, creating art, baking, or playing with her dog. Something you might not know about Mrs. Lowell is that when she was in college, she took a radio broadcasting class, and she later received her broadcasting license.
Q: As an art teacher, what strategies do you use to inspire creativity in your students?
A: “I try to get them to think on their own. I ask a lot of questions, specifically a lot of ‘Why?’ questions. I really like to try to have them figure things out when looking at artwork. For example, I like to challenge them and ask ‘Why do you see?’ and ‘What do you think is going on?’. I think kids know a lot more than what we give them credit for. As a teacher, I’m here as support and facilitation with what they’re trying to do.”
Q: What do you like most about being a teacher?
A: “I love to see the light bulb go off in kids when they figure something out, especially when they think it’s hard, and they don’t think they can do it. I love to encourage them and see them persevere through something really difficult and help them realize that they really can do something they didn’t think they could do.”
Q: What is the most important lesson you have learned as an art teacher?
A: “I think that I learn a lot from my kids. I think sometimes as teachers, we know content, but sometimes, you can learn a lot from the kids, especially things that weren’t expected. They teach you a lot on how to do things differently as a teacher or how to take another approach. As a teacher, we’re lifelong learners, too, and sometimes, we forget that. The kids are good at helping to remind us of that.”
Q: Who is your favorite artist?
A: “I don’t always pick favorites simply because it’s hard, but some artists do stand out to me. I’m inspired by and I love looking at Claude Monet’s work because of nature; I love nature. People like Vincent van Gogh and Frida Kahlo just because they persevered through so much. Frida persevered through her pain, and van Gogh persevered through little to no support. I just love the work that van Gogh did; I really think he was misunderstood, and I often wonder how different his life would be now. I think artists do things very differently, and they take that risk; they don’t do what ‘the norm’ is, and I try to teach the kids to be like that, too, and be okay with it.”
Q: What is the most amazing aspect about you, and how can you use it in your teaching?
A: “I think just being comfortable with who I am and how different I do or approach things. I try to influence the kids to be okay with being different. At the end of the day, you’re the one you’re with, so don’t be afraid to show that difference.”
Q: What are your New Year’s resolutions?
A: “I generally don’t do New Year’s resolutions; I like to think of the new year approaching as a reflection more so than making new goals. All in all, I just want to figure out how to spend more quality time with the people who I care about and be present in more intentional ways.”
Q: If you had the ability to solve any problem in the world, what would you choose?
A: “Right now, just looking at our world and what’s happening, if I could solve anything, I would want it to be for people to love each other more. I feel like there is so much hate right now in so many different areas, and I just wish people could see people for the good that they are instead of focusing so much on the negative.”
Q: What’s the best gift you have ever received?
A: “My kids are my most treasured gift.”
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: “If I had to pick, I really love Italian food. I really love lasagna and pasta.”
Q: If you could grow up in any decade, which one would you choose?
A: “I feel like I’m more of an older soul. I often think that I could live during the 1800s. If I had to pick something more recently, it would be the 50s, but for the most part, I’m perfectly happy where I am right now.”
Thank you so much for allowing us to interview you, Mrs. Lowell. We wish you the best Christmas season and a very Happy New Year. Stay cozy!
THE RETURN OF THE EYE 