Sandia Prep - 532 Magazine - Summer/Fall 2018

WASEEM TOUMA
Prep Position Visual Arts Dept Chair • Years at Prep Six
Education Kansas City Art Institute - Ceramics;
University of Kentucky - Ceramics/Sculpture
Lion or Unicorn? Unicorn
ART & EDUCATION
What are some of the day-to-day challenges you face as
a teacher?
Teaching a subject that involves learning characteristics of
a new material, such as clay, can be very challenging for
students. I strive to help them when it gets frustrating, and
praise them when they are invested in what they do and
proud of what they make. Our students at Prep face some
challenging moments throughout the year, so even though
my projects can be difficult at times, I want to make sure
they are enjoying themselves in their creative exploration.
This is my day-to-day challenge. Keeping them confident,
positive, and engaged in what they are making, while they
work with a material than can be somewhat unpredictable,
but incredibly rewarding at the same time.
Was there a particular event that, or person who,
sparked your interest in your chosen career path?
I always enjoyed art in high school, but never really took
it seriously. It was what I was drawn to probably because I
didn’t really like any other subject. (Funny because now I’m
a teacher encouraging students to do their best at every
subject or challenge they encounter.) We did not have
ceramics at my high school, so when I went to college, one
of our first ceramic projects was to go to the local river and
dig out clay from the riverbed. It was hard and cumbersome,
and I remember thinking ‘what am I doing?’ Once we
dried it, cleaned it, and rehydrated it, I made a vessel on
the wheel using that clay I dug from the riverbed, and was
hooked ever since!
them, fix them, and move on to something better is a life
lesson they receive in the art room.
If you could enroll at Sandia Prep, what classes would
you take?
Well, besides all the art classes, like painting and drawing,
and photography, I would love to take one of Brian
Tregembo’s English classes because he likes Banksy which
means he has good taste, learn about American History
with Stacy Moses because she knows everything about it.
Biology with Polansky (call me crazy), and math with Pat
Kelly because I heard he is a good juggler. I would do a P.E./
baseball class with Paul Huitt because he is one of the best
coaches in the state, improve my soccer skills with Tommy
Smith as we both have a connection to the Queen, and learn
to dance with Louie and Courtney Giannini. Honestly, I have
so much respect and admiration for all my colleagues, and
know they are highly skilled, experienced, and passionate
about what they do. I could learn something from each and
every one of them. Another reason why I love being part of
Prep - the people I get to work with inspire me to be the
best person I can be.
What’s something you taught Sandia Prep students that
you would like them to hold onto when they move on
into upper school, college, and beyond?
Perseverance is the one thing I would like my students to
take with them on their future endeavors, and I think they do
that already at Prep. The experience of challenge, struggle,
and accomplishment, whether it be in the art room or any
other aspect of their lives, is a true life lesson.
Why is it important to have art in schools?
There are so many important factors to our growth as human
beings that can be found in the art room on a daily basis.
Obviously creativity and artistic expression is fundamental
to the way we comprehend and share our thoughts, ideas,
and feelings to the world. Art programs also teach fine
motor skills like playing an instrument, holding a paint brush,
sculpting clay (of course), building stage sets, and framing
and matting photographs to name just a few. We watch
students' self confidence grow, and help them persevere
through long, complicated projects. Of course critical
thinking and individual decision making is an integral part of
any art program. Students learn the importance of focusing
on the little details, and how those details can show you so
much more to the things we see all the time. It is wonderful
to see collaboration and the sharing of knowledge and ideas
in the art room, and finally, art in schools teaches students
about accountability. They are personally responsible for
the contribution and effort they put into whatever they do.
Mistakes and failures are a part of life, but learning to accept
LOVE WHAT YOU DO
Are you an Albuquerque native? If not, where are you
from originally?
I was born and raised in Sydney, Australia, and came over to
the U.S on a student exchange program in college. I loved
it so much that I decided to stay here and make the most of
the opportunities I was given.
Have we forgotten to ask you about anything? What else
would you like people to know?
I am grateful to have the opportunity to share my story with
you, and thankful to the Sandia Prep community for giving
me a chance to share what I love to do in this world. I know
from experience that life has an amazing way of sending us
on paths with obstacles and encounters we would have not
expected, so my mantra for the world and myself is - ‘Keep
making stuff, and work hard at what you love to do!’
• • • • •
Faculty INTERVIEW