Congratulations to art history doctoral student Carlee Forbes and MFA painting and drawing studentEvie Richner who both won graduate student teaching awards for the 2013-2014 school year!
Carlee was nominated for teaching The Good Life. Evie Richner taught Drawing Movement and Motion in the fall and is currently teaching Perceptual Drawing.
"There are a lot of great perks to being a graduate student in the MFA program at UF—the professors, the rigorous program, and numerous opportunities—but one of my favorite parts has been the opportunity to teach," says Evie. "My ultimate career goal is to become a professor, so being a GTA has given me some experience in that arena."
As a graduate teacher, Evie says she has worked with many great students and has experimented with different teaching methods. Plus, she has gotten to know her peers through monthly GTA meetings used to talk through teaching dilemmas, as well as the numerous aspects of teaching, from grading to motivating students to giving presentations.
Evie sees teaching and art as very similar, and her approach to teaching is similar to her approach to art. “Teaching is an active, creative process requiring constant reflection, research and redesign,” she says. “II come up with an idea for how I might structure something differently, like a critique, try it in class, reflect on what went well and what could be improved, make tweaks, and then get to try it again.”
Evie also enjoys the students she works with. “Every day I get to share my love for drawing with a group of budding artists. Their energy, creativity and determination is very inspiring!”
Being chosen as one of 20 students from the hundreds of graduate student teachers at UF is an honor, Evie says. “I am very happy to be representing the School of Art and Art History.”
Evie and Carlee will be recognized at an awards reception on Thursday, April 24, 2014.
