Ms. Falkner

During sophomore year in Arrowhead, I found myself attending another art class. I remember the room smelt of drying paint and pencil shavings. The tops of the tables looked the same, but this time they were clustered into pods. I found familiar faces and sat down alongside them. This year was going to be different than freshman year. 

Little did I know, sophomore year took a toll on my motivation. It was hard to get around and finish school work. I found myself without creativity and motivation. This year, I felt it wasn’t me anymore.

When I walked into my 2D classroom and saw who taught it, I felt something lighten inside of me. I felt the energy of the classroom buzz like the lights on the ceiling. On the walls were pieces of artwork representing the upcoming units. The untouched drying rack sat waiting to be busy. From the back of the classroom, I saw Ms. Falkner greeting people from inside. She seemed to remember each student who crossed her path through her teaching years, including me. 

Out of all the lectures and demonstrations, I never minded Ms. Falkner’s. Somehow she made do with her chaotic classes of freshmen and sophomores each day. No matter how many repeated questions arose, she found a way to restate it with her own personal touch. How many times she danced and sang pieces of her demonstrations, I couldn’t tell you. Every time it never failed to make me smile.

She created connections with her students. When students needed help with art pieces, she would sit next to them and catch up with how life has been treating them. Her door was wide open to students who didn’t necessarily want to sit in the wild cafeteria, or who needed advice. This was important because I was never cornered not having a place to go. I always had a backup plan incase something went wrong. 

Her motherly personality shines through for her students and her lessons. Never once had I heard her call us simply a class or group, instead, we were her “beautiful people.” 

Her class managed to shred my rusty drawing skills off. It allowed me to be closer to the people at my table and create connections with them. It got me through a rough mental time with the connections I’ve made during that class. For that, I cannot express my gratitude enough. The gratitude for your inspiring, down-to-earth, welcoming personality. I appreciate all you have done for me, and others that have been fortunate enough to know you. Your class radiated the open energy I needed for this year to be different than freshman year.