Art Education majorHigh School Art Teacher, Rosslyn Academy, Nairobi, Kenya
Natasha Oduor-Owino ’18, an Art Education major, is a high school Art Teacher at the International, American-curriculum based, Christian school, Rosslyn Academy, in Nairobi, Kenya, where she grew up. Not only does she teach there, she also is the coach/trainer for the Swim Team.
Teaching pottery and 3D design provides Oduor-Owino an opportunity to share her love of and skill in art, while investing in the students in her classroom.
“I have always known I wanted to be in a school setting, because of how special it is to be a part of a children’s learning and growth,” she said. “It is interesting to learn about students at all age levels in relation to art. I find it refreshing. I love that art, as a subject, has more leeway and a very inclusive aspect, especially for those who may typically struggle in school academically. As a teacher, you have such influence on your students to encourage, support and help. I enjoy being that for my students. Creatively, I love to make my own artwork on the side, consisting mostly of paintings and ceramic pieces.”
Oduor-Owino finds the diversity beautiful as she teaches in an international school with more than 50 different nationalities. This diversity provides a great space for creativity.
“Art has this very intuitive aspect to it,” responded Oduor-Owino. “It is beautiful to watch my students slowly catch on to that and just have this natural understanding of what they need to do when it comes to the particular medium they are working with, whether it is clay, plaster, cardboard or even wood. I see students warm up to it and end up enjoying it more than they might have thought at the start.”
Providing a safe and serene environment for her students is part of her responsibility. Understanding that creativity can sometimes be frustrating, she does her best to create a space for students to feel supported.
“Making art has a mental aspect to it. Students can get in their own way, especially in high school,” said the young alum. “Some can talk themselves out of a great idea or be so fixated on having the “perfect” piece when there really is no perfect. There is also a vulnerability to making art. Students can’t hide what they are making, it is all out in the open for everyone to see. It is important as a teacher to make sure that students feel seen, heard and understood so they can be their most authentic selves while going through the creative process.”
“At Asbury, the professors I had always integrated their faith into their teaching in a very organic, natural way, helping me as a teacher to understand what it means to build a trusting relationship with students. Many professors have modeled for me the kind of teacher I strive to be for my students.”