My Story
In 1985 my family and I came to United States from behind the iron curtain, the former Communist country Romania. I was thirteen and went into 8th grade not knowing any English and not knowing what to expect from the new life I was starting here in America. It took me three months to learn enough English to be able to exit the ESL (English as a Second Language) program, and when I finished 8th grade my scores were high enough for me to be placed in all GATE classes in highschool. However, I never felt confident enough about anything I was doing and learning in school, at least not until I began taking art classes.
My story as an artist did not reveal itself to me until my sophmore year in highschool. It was only then that I realized that art was what I loved more than anything in the world. My students always ask me, when did I begin making art. My answer is always then same: When I was able to hold a pencil in my hand. According to my mom (and that is because my memory doesn't go all the way to those early years) ever since I discovered the magic that a pencil could create on a piece of paper, I never left home without a little pencil in one pocket and a piece of paper in the other. I never played with toys, or dolls, I only wanted to draw and look at picture books. To this day, this is still what I love to do more than anything else.
I finished highschool and went on to college. I did not have any support from my parents to go into Art School, that's because they wanted me to become a lawyer, but I made it clear from the beginning that art was something I could not live without and that I needed to pursue my passion. I was lucky enough to have an amazing art professor, Dr. Richard Serros, who took me under his wing and pushed me like an oxen carrying a heavy load through knee high mud. He helped me see my talent and helped me reveal my creativity even when I was doubting myself and changed my major two times. Although it took me a little longer than usual, I finally graduated from UC Davis with a BA in Art Studio and a Minor in Art History. During my college years I had the priviledge to study under some of the most distinguished artists of our time such as Squeak Carnwath, Wayne Thiebaud, Mike Henderson, David Hollowell, and others who have chiseled and polished the artist in me until I became confident enough to show my work to others.
Right after finishing college I was invited by the United Artists Union of Romania to participate in a two women artist show back in my hometown of Oradea. It was the first time in 11 years that we as a family went back to Romania. The experience was incredible, but what was even more amazing was the fact that only then, when television cameras, reporters, distinguished art critics and local celebrities were focused on my art, my parents finally realized that I was an artist. Up until that moment they were firmly convinced that I was going to continue to go on to law school and become a lawyer.
The trip to Romania was filled with one blessing after another, the greatest one being the fact that I also got engaged to my childhood sweetheart. We got married one year later, and thus another chapter in my life began anew.
Between the time I finished college and became an art teacher at Montezuma School in Stockton, CA my resume included working as an artist in residence for the San Joaquin County of Education and for Stanislaus County Art Commission, working in a gallery selling Thomas Kinkade art, and then finally working as the assistant for a financial investment office. During this time I continued making art and showing my art until I finally realized that one of the most rewarding times in my life was when I was teaching art to K-12 students. In 2005 I decided to get my teaching credentials. I finished the multiple subject credential program with a perfect record, and then applied for jobs anywhere there was an open position. I never expected to get a job doing what I loved more than anything in the world, but miracles still happen. Four years later I added on my Single Subject Credential in Art so I can teach high school students, and by the grace of God in 2011 I was offered a teaching position at Edison High, in Stockton, CA and a year later at Cesar Chavez High School, in the same city.
Being an art teacher is one of the greatest blessings in my life. I get to teach art, I get to make art, and I get to inspire people to make art. When I see the results coming out of my classroom I give thanks to God that I am blessed with doing what I am doing. More than that I am thankful that I get to teach alongside some of the most incredible artists and art teachers who inspire me every single day to be a better teacher and a better artist myself. I still have to pinch myself every now and then to remind myself that I am not in a dream and that it is a reality. Every day a come home and I tell my husband: "You have no idea how much I love my job."
In 2013, with the support and encouragement of the administration of my school (CCHS) I started the AP Studio Art program which is the only AP Studio Art program in the entire Stockton Unified School District. I was lucky enough to have an amazing group of students who saw their passion being nurtured by my own passion for art and decided to pursue a long year adventure into the realm of art. Out of the entire group of students only one did not receive a passing grade. The following year the group was larger and so was the number of students with the high scores. It's been an amazing journey and probably one of the toughest jobs I have ever had, but the rewards are more than words can ever describe.
However, the story does not end here. Since 2009 when I became a mother teaching art is my second favorite job next to being a mom. I enjoy every second of my baby boy's growing up, and I can't wait until he will be able to come to school with me and have him near me 24 hours a day. Until then I will enjoy his growing up while I will also enjoy seeing my students flourish and develop into the woderful young adults I know they will become.
My story as an artist did not reveal itself to me until my sophmore year in highschool. It was only then that I realized that art was what I loved more than anything in the world. My students always ask me, when did I begin making art. My answer is always then same: When I was able to hold a pencil in my hand. According to my mom (and that is because my memory doesn't go all the way to those early years) ever since I discovered the magic that a pencil could create on a piece of paper, I never left home without a little pencil in one pocket and a piece of paper in the other. I never played with toys, or dolls, I only wanted to draw and look at picture books. To this day, this is still what I love to do more than anything else.
I finished highschool and went on to college. I did not have any support from my parents to go into Art School, that's because they wanted me to become a lawyer, but I made it clear from the beginning that art was something I could not live without and that I needed to pursue my passion. I was lucky enough to have an amazing art professor, Dr. Richard Serros, who took me under his wing and pushed me like an oxen carrying a heavy load through knee high mud. He helped me see my talent and helped me reveal my creativity even when I was doubting myself and changed my major two times. Although it took me a little longer than usual, I finally graduated from UC Davis with a BA in Art Studio and a Minor in Art History. During my college years I had the priviledge to study under some of the most distinguished artists of our time such as Squeak Carnwath, Wayne Thiebaud, Mike Henderson, David Hollowell, and others who have chiseled and polished the artist in me until I became confident enough to show my work to others.
Right after finishing college I was invited by the United Artists Union of Romania to participate in a two women artist show back in my hometown of Oradea. It was the first time in 11 years that we as a family went back to Romania. The experience was incredible, but what was even more amazing was the fact that only then, when television cameras, reporters, distinguished art critics and local celebrities were focused on my art, my parents finally realized that I was an artist. Up until that moment they were firmly convinced that I was going to continue to go on to law school and become a lawyer.
The trip to Romania was filled with one blessing after another, the greatest one being the fact that I also got engaged to my childhood sweetheart. We got married one year later, and thus another chapter in my life began anew.
Between the time I finished college and became an art teacher at Montezuma School in Stockton, CA my resume included working as an artist in residence for the San Joaquin County of Education and for Stanislaus County Art Commission, working in a gallery selling Thomas Kinkade art, and then finally working as the assistant for a financial investment office. During this time I continued making art and showing my art until I finally realized that one of the most rewarding times in my life was when I was teaching art to K-12 students. In 2005 I decided to get my teaching credentials. I finished the multiple subject credential program with a perfect record, and then applied for jobs anywhere there was an open position. I never expected to get a job doing what I loved more than anything in the world, but miracles still happen. Four years later I added on my Single Subject Credential in Art so I can teach high school students, and by the grace of God in 2011 I was offered a teaching position at Edison High, in Stockton, CA and a year later at Cesar Chavez High School, in the same city.
Being an art teacher is one of the greatest blessings in my life. I get to teach art, I get to make art, and I get to inspire people to make art. When I see the results coming out of my classroom I give thanks to God that I am blessed with doing what I am doing. More than that I am thankful that I get to teach alongside some of the most incredible artists and art teachers who inspire me every single day to be a better teacher and a better artist myself. I still have to pinch myself every now and then to remind myself that I am not in a dream and that it is a reality. Every day a come home and I tell my husband: "You have no idea how much I love my job."
In 2013, with the support and encouragement of the administration of my school (CCHS) I started the AP Studio Art program which is the only AP Studio Art program in the entire Stockton Unified School District. I was lucky enough to have an amazing group of students who saw their passion being nurtured by my own passion for art and decided to pursue a long year adventure into the realm of art. Out of the entire group of students only one did not receive a passing grade. The following year the group was larger and so was the number of students with the high scores. It's been an amazing journey and probably one of the toughest jobs I have ever had, but the rewards are more than words can ever describe.
However, the story does not end here. Since 2009 when I became a mother teaching art is my second favorite job next to being a mom. I enjoy every second of my baby boy's growing up, and I can't wait until he will be able to come to school with me and have him near me 24 hours a day. Until then I will enjoy his growing up while I will also enjoy seeing my students flourish and develop into the woderful young adults I know they will become.