INTERVIEW PREP

How would you keep children safe during a science experiment?

I will always follow the approved lesson plan, check materials beforehand, explain safety rules as many times as necessary, supervise closely, and of course follow all studio procedures to a T!

What if you don't know the answer to a child's question?

I'd simply be honest. I would definitely acknowledge their curiosity before finding the correct answer using an appropriate resource rather than just guessing.

What if a child makes a mess?

I'd treat it as a learning opportunity by reinforcing cleanup expectations & guiding them in handling materials responsibly.

What if two children argue over supplies?

Firstly, I'd remain calm & then establish fair turn-taking while helping them communicate respectfully with one another, all while following studio behavior policies.

What if a child finishes much earlier than everyone else?

I'd offer an optional creative extension! Things such as going back to add details, experimenting with colors, or creating a variation of the project. It's a quick and fun way to keep the child engaged while others finish the task at hand.

What if a child refuses to participate?

I've found offering encouragement to be the most helpful. I'd find out what's bothering them, give them a manageable choice & of course avoid embarrassing or pressuring them.

Are you comfortable teaching science activities, too?

Oh absolutely! I'm open to teaching both art and hands-on science activities! I enjoy experimenting with materials and exploring how things work! Not to mention, before I achieved my B.A. degree I was on a B.S. track with a sole focus on genetic biology, specifically so I actually believe science can be a great way to encourage children's curiosity and creative problem-solving! For the lessons, I'd make sure I understood the purpose & steps of each experiment beforehand, follow the provided instructions & safety procedures, and explain the activity in an age-appropriate way. I'd also encourage children to ask questions, make observations, and explore what happens! That's how you make learning fun!

How would you manage a classroom with children of different ages and abilities?

I'd start by clearly explaining the activity, demonstrating each step, & setting expectations for using materials & treating one another respectfully. I'd follow the lesson plan while recognizing that children learn at different paces & if a student needed extra help, I'd provide individual guidance without holding the rest of the group back. I'd also look for opportunities to encourage students who finish early or need an additional challenge. I understand that patience, clear communication, and consistency are very important for keeping a class engaged and organized.

How would you handle a child who is frustrated with their artwork?

If a child became frustrated with their artwork, I would first acknowledge their feelings & reassure them that it's completely okay to make mistakes & that learning a new skill takes practice. I would try to understand what they're struggling with & ultimately offer encouragement rather than immediately stepping in to fix it for them. For example, I might break the task down into smaller, more manageable steps, demonstrate a technique they could try, or even offer an alternative approach if something isn't working for them. I'd simply remind them that art is about exploring, experimenting, and expressing themselves, rather than making everything look perfect. I would want the child to feel comfortable asking for help, proud of their effort, & confident enough to keep creating. I think it's important to help children understand that mistakes can be opportunities to learn something new!

What are your strongest artistic skills?

My strongest areas are definitely painting, composition, color, and three-dimensional work. I do primarily work with oil and acrylic paints, watercolor every now and then, but I also really enjoy sculpting with clay. My education really gave me a great foundation in visual problem-solving, artistic techniques, & just understanding how different materials behave. I really enjoy experimenting with different mediums too, so I'd be just as comfortable learning & demonstrating techniques outside my usual studio practice. I think that versatility is especially valuable when teaching children, because it allows them to explore different ways of expressing themselves.

Do you have experience teaching children?

I haven't held a formal classroom teaching position yet, but I do have experience leading peers through study groups and academic projects. LionTutors was actually one of my first teaching-related experiences, where I was responsible for leading exam reviews, asynchronous support and teaching a large variety of subjects. I later earned my 160-hour TEFL certification, which strengthened my foundation in teaching English to non-native speakers. I also created a profile on Superprof, an international platform that connects students with independent tutors and instructors for personalized academic support, where I've been able to explore opportunities to work with students across all different age groups. So while working with primarily children in a structured classroom setting would be a new professional experience for me, I'm beyond eager to learn, comfortable taking direction, & very enthusiastic about developing my teaching and classroom management skills. I'm also just excited about the opportunity to combine my artistic background with helping children explore their creativity & truly build confidence in their abilities. Additionally, my background as a multidisciplinary artist and the creative business I started in 2020 have taught me how to approach projects step by step, adapt to different approaches, and encourage creative problem-solving.

Why do you want to work at Kidcreate Studio?

I'm interested in working here because it honestly combines both my passions for the arts and science with the opportunity to help children learn & express themselves creatively. I truly appreciate that the studio focuses not only on making art, but also on building confidence & developing real artistic skills over time. With my art degree & my experience working with different materials, I'd love to just help kids explore their creativity in an environment where they feel encouraged to experiment, make mistakes & just be proud of what they create. I also like that Kidcreate provides structured curriculum & training, because I want to become a strong, effective instructor.

Tell me about yourself.

Well, I'm an artist with a Bachelor of Arts in Art from Penn State University but my academic journey actually started in the sciences. I originally pursued a Bachelor of Science with an interest in genetic biology because of my fascination with how things work, how they're structured & how complex systems come together. Over time, I realized that I also wanted to explore those interests through a more creative lens, which ultimately led me to pursue art! My background in art has allowed me to explore painting, drawing, composition, sculpture, and mixed media with some of my favorite mediums being oil, acrylic, & watercolor painting, as well as clay sculpture. I really enjoy experimenting with materials, solving creative problems, and exploring different ways to communicate those ideas visually. Throughout college, I enjoyed collaborating with classmates, helping peers work through creative challenges, and sharing ideas so I'm very interested in finding ways to stay connected to the art community while helping others develop their own creative abilities. What attracted me to Kidcreate Studio is that it brings together creativity, learning, and experimentation. It'd give me the opportunity to combine my artistic background with a supportive, hands-on learning environment. I love the idea of helping children develop artistic skills while also encouraging their curiosity about the world around them. Since I have an interest in both art and science, I think this position would be a really exciting opportunity to bring those interests together while helping children build confidence in their own creativity. I'm very excited to bring my skills and enthusiasm into a teaching environment and continue growing as an instructor.

Why did you switch majors?

Art just offered another way to investigate, interpret, and communicate the world around me.