Hi, I'm Tricia
Photographer, designer, educator
Pittsburgh, PA
My Story
From a young age, I've always loved and appreciated art. My favorite time of day in school was always art class because it was where I felt I could thrive. I took this passion to college with me at Mercyhurst University where I majored in graphic design with a minor in photography.
In 2020, I graduated with my bachelor's in Graphic Design. There wasn't much celebrating due to the pandemic. Fortunately, I was one of the lucky graduates that still managed to find a job right away. I began my career as a production manager at a local portrait studio in Erie, Pennsylvania. There, I was placed in charge of editing, printing, managing social media, and more.
While I loved Erie, I felt I needed to move on after about a year. With a new job in Pittsburgh, I decided to move. The job was at another portrait studio, a larger one though. However, it didn't take long for me to feel that is not what I was meant to do. I quickly began to realize that my favorite part of the job was showing newcomers the ropes. I was enjoying teaching.
So that leads me to my next journey: becoming a teacher.
In December 2023, I graduated with a Master of Art Education ready to lead a classroom of students through the amazing world of art education!
Check out what I've done!
My Philosophy of Teaching
I believe art education goes beyond the act of creating art. I feel it is my responsibility, as an educator, to lead students through holistic growth that benefits them for life beyond the classroom.
Academically, I believe in a learner-centered approach. I strive to achieve this through project-based learning that stimulates students’ curiosity and interests. By tapping into what students already know, I believe students should be able to demonstrate mastery in an individualized way. Through ongoing formative assessments, I aim to create a culture where constructive and critical feedback is a welcomed tool for betterment. I encourage exploration and experimentation with technology, materials, and ideas. I believe there is no failure in art, the only opportunity to learn and grow. While I want students to sharpen the skills they have already developed, I hope to show them that mistakes lead to advancement.
Beyond academics, I aim to create an environment of mutual respect and trust. Everyone has a story beyond what we can see on the surface. Everyone deserves to have their culture and identity celebrated. Using culturally responsive teaching tools, I hope to maintain a classroom setting that embraces these differences to deepen learning. Additionally, I believe it is critical to promote the development of a growth mindset in every student. It is imperative to teach students to believe in themselves and trust the process as they move through uncertainty. To do this, I will show every student that I believe they have potential and they should too. My goal is to have a class that is a safe space for students’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being. I believe I can achieve this through powerful communication that demonstrates vulnerability and active listening. While I hope to be someone students can trust, I believe students must learn to be accountable to their missteps. When it comes to discipline, I am a firm supporter of restorative discipline. If a student is going to face consequences for their actions, they need to learn why it is important. I believe the best way to teach students to take ownership of their actions is through communication and understanding. Restorative practices not only allow students to learn from their mistakes but also teach them how to better resolve conflict in the future.
Overall, my philosophy can be summarized as helping students develop into better versions of themselves. I aim to have students leave my classes feeling more confident, competent and aware of the world. By giving support, building trust, and establishing respect with my students, I believe I can contribute to building a generation of difference makers.