Initially, for this Community Connection project, I was going to interview the Vancouver-based TikTok and YouTube famous singer, Jian Camille. Although through a delightful change of plans, after a couple of days that we were assigned the classes, the second term started and I met my 3D studio Arts Teacher, AJ Vittie, and I knew right away that I would have to interview them instead.

Although I have only been in their class for a little over a week, I am just so intrigued by what a passionate, creative, and overall great teacher they are, and so although I do not think I will ever be an Art teacher specifically, I do know that we share the passion for creativity and art. I truly aspire to be someone that is as passionate as AJ, moreover, to pursue my dreams and contribute to enhancing my capabilities to do the things I like as they have done.

Here are their answers to the six questions from our interview in their office ( an in-person meeting was possible as we meet on a daily basis anyway):

Can you explain your roles and responsibilities with your current position?

” There is so much to explain! As teachers, we continue to learn all the time, especially on Pro D-Days, and so our roles are ever-evolving. In the art studio, in particular, I am responsible for maintaining the tools that the supplies, and of course, teaching subject-specific skills/content based on the curricular expectations provided by the Ministry of BC. I also need to be aware of students’ specific needs; health, allergy, home issues, etc., as well as any Individuals Educational Plan needs; some students need to have a modified experience or an adapted experience. In my opinion, the biggest role in my job is to unlock my student’s greatest potential by supporting them to help reach their goals, in, of course, an age and school-appropriate manner. ”

What obstacles have you faced to get you where you are today?

“I’ve had a few obstacles such as financial and health problems, but my biggest obstacle was not believing that I could. I’ve wanted to be an art teacher since high school, but as my Art teacher told me, the mandate for that was to take art history. To finish that course was so intimidating and scary that I really thought I couldn’t do it, and it took me another 10 years after high school to overcome that obstacle.”

What advice would you pass on to someone interested in what you are doing?

“My biggest advice would be to volunteer; get in the classroom, get involved, try to teach, and just keep trying to get to know the job better!”

Why are you passionate about your job or role?

“I love art, it is a safe space for me, and to be in an environment full of artists is what I love most. I’ve always identified as an artist, and sometimes that meant that I did not fit in throughout different stages of my life; in school and in my family. I also had art teachers that really dedicated their time to my wellbeing, and that meant a lot for me. I felt seen, worthy, and as if I had a place because of them, and I want to recreate that for my own students.”

Is there another career that you wished you had chosen? If the opportunity comes, do you think you would take it?

“The only other job I’ve considered is being a professional artist, and the only reason why I don’t do that is that I love teaching. If I ever got tired of teaching, I would surely do that. I also have always felt similarly about music, so perhaps I would pursue a music career.”

Finally, how do you maintain a work-life balance?

“I don’t. It’s something that I’m working on. I admit it, I am a bit of a workaholic; even on the weekends, sometimes I bring my children in to help out. There are so many things to set up here, in the studio. and so little time.”

I am so grateful to have had the privilege to have such an amazing teacher to interview here at Riverside, and I cannot think of another person, even through the internet, that would have been better suited as an interviewee for this project. This was such an interesting experience that I’m really glad I went through as it was so eye-opening. Thank you, Mx. Vittie, from the bottom of my heart!

Here is a promo vid by Mix Vittie!

Here is Mix Vitties blog:

https://www.ajvittie.com/