Meet Christy Brose, our art teacher. Inspired by her dad at an early age to be the artist, she has found her passion in teaching and looks forward to a great school year.
Read more about her passion for Livingston Classical Academy. 
Who inspired you or why did you choose to become a teacher?
My father was an inner-city school teacher in North Carolina for over twenty years where he taught photography and woodworking. I remember visiting his classroom when I was younger and thinking how great it must be to come to work and have the opportunity to be creative. My father’s creativity did not end in his classroom. He installed a darkroom in our home where he taught me all the processes of photography. Little did I know at the time that my passions were being shaped by the very things my father loved.
Who were some of the most influential teachers you had growing up? What made them so impactful?
Growing up my most influential teachers were the ones that believed in my ability whether that be in art, chemistry or mathematics. Knowing they believed in me made me want to rise to the challenge because it was not solely my opinion that was encouraging me to persevere, but it was the voice of those who loved what they taught and believed I could love it too.
What are you most looking forward to this year at Livingston Academy?
This year at LCA I am most looking forward to developing relationships with my students as well as the parents and staff. I believe education is meant to be done in the community because it is in community that we can both love and encourage one another to keep striving for our goals. I know come the cold and dark days of February I would welcome a reminder as to why teaching is the best job in the world.
What is your favorite classical book and why?
This is an unfair question I could not possibly answer for there are simply too many.
Which virtue resonates most with you? How do you incorporate it into your classroom?
The virtue of courage resonates most with me. Henri Matisse says, “Creativity takes courage.” I believe art is the visual expression of all we think, feel and know, so to put those images on a canvas visible for all to see does take courage. I hope to help my students understand what is true, good and beautiful as it relates to art formation, and therefore worthy of their courageous efforts. Additionally, I plan to incorporate the virtues of LCA in our upper school’s daily art journal practice.
What is your favorite part of teaching?
My favorite part of teaching is the (entire) process. Starting with the imagining of a goal for the year, defining where I want to go with my students, then planning the lessons to drive that goal, and finally bringing the goal to life through hands-on studio lessons. I am overjoyed just thinking about it.
What techniques do you use that students really gravitate toward?
Students are very aware of a teacher that gives false praise or blanket encouragement. Therefore, I try to give an honest assessment or genuine positive reinforcement rather than a general statement. If I pull a student aside and speak to them about how to stretch beyond their personal limits in order to develop as an artist I find they are often surprised at their ability. Therefore knowing my students as individuals is key to developing our trust and respect for one another.
What do you do outside of the classroom?
What are your hobbies? Outside of the classroom, I love to be a student. I enjoy developing my skills as an artist by taking various art classes under my mentor Du Throung. I believe we never stop learning, and modeling a love of learning only helps my students seize their own personal pursuit of knowledge. I also enjoying anything pertaining to the outdoors and summertime.