By: Alina Singh

Ms. Fallis has been an art teacher at Conard High School for the past eight years. She has a background in creativity and a passion for inspiring young artists. From an early age, Ms. Fallis was surrounded by the influence of the art world. This is due to having a family that always encouraged her artistic talent. Birthdays and holidays were filled with gifts of art supplies, which helped spark a lifelong connection for creativity that would follow her into adulthood.

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This encouragement not only helped her develop her artistic skills, but it also inspired her to share that passion with others.

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Before taking on her position as an art teacher at Conard, Ms. Fallis spent three summers teaching at a summer camp, where she enjoyed helping children. It was during these experiences that she realized the impact a teacher can have on a young person's life.

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At Conard, Ms. Fallis teaches a variety of classes, including two ceramics courses, one design class, one drawing class, and an Advanced Placement (AP) art class. For Ms. Fallis, the most rewarding part of being a teacher is when her students discover their ideas and the excitement that comes with it. "I love seeing their faces light up when they master a technique," she shares.

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Despite the joy that teaching brings, Ms. Fallis acknowledges that there are challenges as well. One significant challenge that she and many other teachers face is the exhaustion that occurs after a long day of teaching. However, Ms. Fallis believes that the positives of teaching outweigh the negatives.

Outside of the classroom, Ms. Fallis remains artistic and productive in her free time. She spends most of her time in her art studio, working with a pottery wheel and engaging in various hobbies such as painting. But, not all of her time is dedicated to art as she also enjoys outdoor activities like rock climbing and running.

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One of the more challenging parts of being an artist is coming up with new ideas and overcoming the feeling that everything you create has to be perfect. Ms. Fallis understands this struggle, and she helps students overcome similar feelings when they doubt the quality of their work. To motivate students who feel discouraged about their art standards, she expresses the importance of communication. "I talk with them and brainstorm options to spark their imagination," she states. She wants her students to see art as a process rather than a product.

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Ms. Fallis holds a degree in painting and English, and she has zero regrets about her decision to become an art teacher. She enjoys the hands-on part of being a teacher and working with clay, as well as engaging with students; this is what truly brings her joy. She recognizes that many young students interested in the arts may feel doubtful about pursuing any branch of art as a potential career. Ms. Fallis hopes to inspire these students, reassuring them that their passions can lead to futures. She says that “everyone is capable of creating, and everyone has the ability to fulfill their potential.”