Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/515703
be considered for acceptance to staff. Both Advanced and Beginning Journalism classes are UC-approved elective courses. Widely respected throughout the district, the program has won numerous awards from organizations such as the National Scholastic Press Association and Quill and Scroll International Honor Society. Braun started advising El Vaquero in 1991 and has wit- nessed its growth over the years. "If I remember correctly, I began with two or three Apple computers and around 10 students," she says, noting the staff now runs between 30 and 38 students. "We had to do pasteup boards and layout by hand and were often at school during deadline until 9 or 10 p.m. Now, we have access to a room full of computers, a tabloid printer, a scanner and multiple cameras, and do all our work electronically, which makes things much easier and gets us home a bit earlier." Siskind has been advising for 10 years. Braun describes being a journalism adviser as a labor of love. "You get to work with some of the most dedicated kids on campus, and through your role, you become knowledgeable about your campus. Journalism also teaches real-life, valuable skills to students." What advice does this adviser offer to advisers? "Go for it! Journalism is hard work. I won't pretend that it's not. Dive in and make the most of your journalism assignment, whether it be newspaper, yearbook, broadcast or online. Take advantage of and attend local journalism events like write-off contests, sign up for workshops and seminars, attend the national journalism conventions, and get yourself a mentor. There are many journalism folks just waiting to help with the transition to becoming a publications adviser." The winning entry and the entries receiving honorable mention are posted at cta.org/journalismcontest. Irvine High School's winning spread and the other entries are posted at cta.org/journalismcontest. CTA & You 53 V O L U M E 1 9 I S S U E 9 '' This is a special time in the students' lives, and their artwork reflects this special time." Visual Arts | Programs that unleash the power of creativity EL VAQUERO FEBRUARY 6, 2015 EL VAQUERO FEBRUARY 6, 2015 9 FOCUS 8 THE ART OF TEACHING TEACHERS ARE... BY CHANDY ALAYRA, MONA CHAHINE, SUN AH LEE AND MELANIE NGUYEN ERIKA PERALES Erika Perales always knew she wanted to spend her life creating art. Perales teaches photography, Beginning Painting and Drawing, Intro to Art and Yearbook. She has been teaching for eight years and has a wide variety of experience with visual arts. Students practice skills such as observational sketching, followed by step-by-step demonstrations. She conducts one-on-one time with students, pushing them to think critically and learn from their mistakes. Perales says the greatest challenge she faces is increasing class sizes that make individual attention difficult. '' I make my students say two positive things every time they say something negative." PHOTOS BY UMA SEN AND RENEE CHAN Erika Perales gives freshman Lina Kang tips on her outline technique during Painting and Drawing class on Jan. 23 in UA11. MIRIAM KHURGEL ROBIN LUX Miriam Khurgel teaches Introductory Art and Multicultural Art. She enjoyed being an art student herself, and wants to relay that passion to others. Khurgel enjoys the freedom students have to explore in their projects and seeing the students' perspective and inspiration. "I really enjoy the sense of community [that an art class provides]," Khurgel said. "My favorite thing is when I see [students] surprise themselves in their art...and then they create something and surprise themselves with how much they enjoyed making it." Whether she's drawing or building something, visual arts teacher Robin Lux has always loved creating. She teaches Ceramics, Advanced Ceramics, Computer Graphics, Advanced Drawing and Painting and AP Studio Art. She believes that teachers adapt to find better ways to instruct their students. She takes sculpting classes in order to complement improve upon her own craft and her teaching. She believes her job is not to make students pursue art in the future, but to facilitate their learning and nurture their growth. It's rewarding to see her students overcome challenges, make improvements and produce incredible art for the world to enjoy. '' I try to encourage students to think of things they like to inspire their art—I want them to be personal." PHOTOS BY RENEE CHAN Miriam Khurgel helps senior Kyle Tuyorada with his multicultural project in her class on Jan. 23 in UA11. REBECCAH PHILLIPS '' You don't truly learn until you get your hands on the equipment and learn for yourself." MANDY TUCKER '' You're only on this planet a certain [number] of years, and this is one way you can make your mark." Photography teacher Mandy Tucker smiles as she watches her students react to the gradual development of an image on photo paper. She has been doing this demonstration for 20 years and it never fails to impress. To further grab her students' interest, Tucker explains depth and complexity using some of her own photos as models. She trains her students to develop film the old-school way as well as to use Adobe Photoshop to enhance digital photos. Tucker chairs the visual arts department and also teaches AP Art History, a course on art styles throughout the ages. PHOTOS BY RENEE CHAN ORIGINAL "COLORED PENCILS" PHOTO COURTESY OF RYAN VIERNES, LICENSED UNDER CC BY 2.0 Mandy Tucker explains the importance of a historic artwork during her AP Art History class on Jan. 23 in SLG. Beginning Video Production teacher Rebeccah Phillips meets with her 22 student filmmakers every other day, after school and on weekends to create bi-weekly iTV broadcasts. Her dedication earned her recognition at the Orange County Film Festival in January when she was named Mentor of the Year. She commits herself to teaching self-expression through cinematography. Students learn how to use Final Cut Pro professional editing software, cameras and other film equipment. Phillips encourages her students to pursue the art of film. PHOTOS BY RENEE CHAN Rebeccah Phillips discusses plan for the upcoming iTV broadcast with senior Hannah Tran on Wednesday in SC11. Here's a look at Irvine's visual arts instructors and the methods they use to inspire their students. Clay medallions made by Robin Lux's Beginning Ceramics students are stacked by the kiln on Jan. 23 outside H10. PHOTO BY BRENDA NGUYEN