Ms. Leone is a beloved teacher who has been recently teaching at IMS for art class and art club.
Panther Press: Was your dream to become an art teacher when you were younger?
Ms. Leone: When I was younger, I had several different ambitions, and loved art and music. I wanted to become a famous artist, drummer in a punk band, or engineer when I was younger.
Press: That’s nice, but who inspired you to become an art teacher?
Ms. Leone: My dad inspired me to become a teacher in general because he has been teaching for over 20 years. When I was younger I got to go with him and I saw him teach the lesson with his students and he was a role model for me. I chose art because I knew I wanted to become a teacher and I liked art so I chose to become an art teacher.
Press: What is it like being an art teacher?
Ms. Leone: “It’s great honestly because I see my students express themselves by thinking outside the box, with creativity, and ideas. It has also allowed me to influence them in some ways, whether with their art or just creating a safe, inclusive environment for them to come to every day, Ms. Leone said
Press: What did you enjoy about being an art teacher?
Ms. Leone: I enjoy most that I get to inspire my students to be creative and have their voices heard. I also enjoy helping them enhance their drawing and painting skills and express their emotions through their art.
Press: That’s cool but, are there disadvantages or things you don’t like about being an art teacher?
Ms. Leone: Yes, I think that handling the materials, cleaning them up properly at the end of class, and making sure that every student is using the materials properly is a bit of a problem.
Press: Why did you become an art teacher?
Ms. Leone: I always enjoyed making art when I was young. I wanted to go to college and go to different art classes so first I went to community college for interior design. I enjoyed designing my room but my professor wasn’t the best so I started thinking of other careers to take that still involved art and I started working in a daycare. Then, I fell in love with working with kids and wanted to combine the two so I became an art teacher.
Press: I like that, but did you take art classes when you were younger?
Mrs. Leone: Yes, I was always involved with art and went to art classes. I took studio classes in college and APR classes in high school, and when I was young I would draw on my own.
Press: When did you first start teaching?
Ms. Leone: “My first year of teaching was here at IMS last year and toward the end of this year it will be my second year,” Ms. Leone said.
Press: Why do you like art?
Ms. Leone: For the same reason I like teaching art to my students. I like the aspects of art. I like that I can express myself and it is almost calming and relaxing. They love different materials and being able to have so much exploration within the mind and it depends on how they feel.
Press: What is your favorite art style?
Ms. Leone: My favorite art style is impressionism. This was an art movement where artists started painting outdoors and challenged different art styles.
Press: Thank you for letting us interview you!
Ms. Leone: It was my pleasure and have a nice day.
