How I Became an Art Teacher (Comic)

6/29/2014

It's been such a long time since I made any posts! My life has been incredibly busy finishing up my last master courses and getting through my second year teaching Art!

I made the following comic-book style biography as a pre-course assignment for one of my last courses. Our wonderful professor encouraged us to do something different that would surprise him, so I decided to go with drawings instead of the usual write up and/or keynote presentation with photos.

I think I am going to use this as I am introducing myself to my new students next year! It's important that they get to know me and my background. They also love knowing that their teacher loves drawing too. :)

14 Comments

The Heavenly Demon Can’t Live a Normal Life link

3/19/2025 06:15:41 am

What a brilliant way to model creativity for your students! Merging art with autobiography breaks the 'teacher-as-textbook' stereotype. This comic bio humanizes you while showcasing interdisciplinary thinking – exactly the kind of fearless experimentation we need in art education.

Erika Lancaster link

3/19/2025 01:09:09 pm

Thanks so much for checking out this post! Glad you enjoyed it. I had lots of fun with this project. I appreciate it.

66666 years advent of the dark mage link

3/19/2025 06:20:00 am

Congrats on juggling grad school + teaching Year 2! Turning your thesis grind into teachable art proves creativity thrives under pressure. The comic bio isn’t just an assignment – it’s a manifesto for merging personal growth with professional practice. Your students will feel that authenticity!

Erika Lancaster link

3/19/2025 01:09:46 pm

Thanks so much! I sure hope so!

Childhood Friend of the Zenith link

3/19/2025 06:23:26 am

From final master’s courses to lesson plans, you’ve weaponized deadlines as artistic fuel! The fact that you prioritized a drawn biography during this chaos? Next-level 'productive procrastination.' This comic screams 'I walk the talk' to students battling their own schedules.

Erika Lancaster link

3/19/2025 01:10:26 pm

I appreciate it! Thanks so much for checking out this post. I really enjoyed working on this project.

Absolute Sword Sense link

3/19/2025 06:48:11 am

This isn’t just a bio – it’s a time capsule of your 'master’s thesis era' struggles and triumphs. Years from now, students will remember the teacher who handed them a graphic novel intro. You’ve turned personal hustle into pedagogical heritage. Can’t wait to see their emulative projects!

Erika Lancaster link

3/19/2025 01:11:19 pm

Thanks so much for checking out my project! I had lots of fun with it. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Jimmy link

8/1/2025 11:09:50 am

This comic‑style bio is an imaginative and heartwarming way for Erika Lancaster to introduce herself to students. Her drawings chronicle the path from graduate student to passionate art teacher, blending autobiography with visual creativity. It's an inspiring, fresh model for educational storytelling demonstrating that even teacher intros can spark curiosity, connection, and artistic flair!

Jacqui link

8/14/2025 10:38:27 pm

This comic-style biography is an absolute delight—it’s like your professional story got a creative spotlight! I love how you turned a pre-course assignment into something vibrant and personal, sketching your journey instead of using a typical write-up or slideshow. It’s the kind of authentic storytelling that students can’t help but connect with, showing them not just who you are, but the creative heartbeat behind your teaching style. Brilliant and inspiring all at once!

William link

8/21/2025 03:49:51 pm

Absolutely loved this comic-style bio—it’s so creative and genuine! You turned your story into art, and it makes introductions feel warm, fun, and deeply relatable. Brilliant job!

Eleanor link

8/22/2025 06:26:49 pm

This comic-style intro is such a creative way to share your story! I love how it breaks the 'teacher-as-lecturer' mold and makes you feel so human—imagine students meeting a teacher who literally drew her journey. Brilliant and inspiring!

Penkraft diploma in fine arts link

9/28/2025 04:50:15 am

Hi Erika,

Really loved the comic you captured the ups and downs of becoming an art teacher with so much heart (and humor!). I’m also going through the Penkraft Diploma in Fine Arts teacher-training, which has been super helpful in building confidence + technique.
Seeing how others journey through this is always inspiring and reminds me that learning is never perfectly linear!

Faculty of letters and Languages link

1/15/2026 02:38:16 pm

Appreciate you sharing this! Really informative and helpful.

How I Became an Art Teacher (Comic)

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