What Drexel University students taught me
“What sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to the human soul.”
When I was in second grade, my family moved from a suburb of Philadelphia to Cinnaminson New Jersey, a small town just outside of the city across the Delaware River. Fun fact, Cinnaminson is derived from a native american word meaning, “sweet water”. I remember coming home from my new school in tears, mainly because I was embarrassed to be academically so far behind my peers. In fact, I had trouble reading anything at all! It became one of many blessings in my life that my teacher, Mrs. Pfau, took me under her wings. A few weeks later, I was reading and writing and coming home with a big smile on my face and a heavy stack of books that I eagerly opened up as soon as I stepped in the front door. Homework, dare I say it, was fun! I am so grateful my devoted teacher took the time to tutor me, to encourage me, and to not let me slip into the cracks.
Fast forward to high school and I was accepted by all 4 schools to which I applied, including the University of Pennsylvania, where I earned my degree in Communication. Later, I returned to the City of Brotherly Love to attend Drexel University, where I completed a three year post graduate degree in Interior Design. I never imagined that almost two decades after graduation, in the Spring of 2019 and like the lyrics to the REM song, “We all go back to where we belong,” I found myself co teaching a studio class in design back at Drexel’s new building, the architecturally impressive Westphal College of Art and Design. This time around, it was MY turn to influence young minds and to hopefully make a difference in their life and educational journeys.
It is my sincere belief that a teacher learns just as much, if not more, from their students as the teacher teaches. While I taught the principles of design, reviewed color theory, floor plans and drawings, and critiqued their boards and presentation skills, I in turn, learned from them that behind every face there is a story. Each person comes with a skill set that can only be enhanced if they feel safe enough to be accepted despite differences in backgrounds, mistakes and missteps, and to trust that their teacher truly has their best interest at heart. I learned that the milennial generation has hard workers and creative thinkers, and young adults who are earnest and want to make a difference in their chosen field and in the world at large. Being a steward of the environment is important to many of them, in a way that was not so urgent when I was their age. I learned that we have more in common with each other than not, despite the difference in generations. And finally, I learned that we uplift one another when there is a sense of camaraderie and a focus on excellence, along with supportive resources and structure.
Teaching this bright young cohort of sophomore design students was truly an enriching experience. I am a better designer and human being for having spent time both with my fellow esteemed design educators, Cherie Privor and Marcello Luzi, and with these talented young Drexel Dragon students. I can’t wait to see their careers unfold and look forward to the many ways in which their designs will uplift the world.
Cheers!
~Angela