As a student, art gave Jill Lagerstam confidence. As a teacher, she wants to make it as accessible to kids as possible.
That’s why she’s put effort into raising more than $40,000 to make that a reality, according to fellow Urbana High School art teacher Roberta Bennett. That includes money used to develop a digital art program.
Combined with her ability to connect with students, that money has helped Lagerstam share her love of art with generations of students over her 24 years in education.
“Students love her, and she loves them, too,” Bennett said. “She has had a huge impact on developing young people’s creative muscles in our community. However, throughout her career, she has rarely been acknowledged for the long hours and huge efforts she puts forth to give them good experiences.”
I find my work important because … my students deserve access to the arts. The arts shape and enrich our lives and are essential to the human experience. People don’t have to be traditionally talented in the arts in order to have art experiences.
I became a teacher because … making art gave me self-confidence when I was younger. My experiences making art made me realize the arts could be a catalyst for others to feel more confident and to help them achieve their highest potential. I want to help others, and I love art, so becoming an art teacher was a good fit for me.
My favorite or most unique lesson that I teach is … pinhole cameras! Beginning photo students learn how to build a camera that actually takes photos. Creating a camera out of a cardboard box and developing photos in the darkroom is simply a magical experience!
My most fulfilling moments on the job are when … students exceed their own expectations. I love seeing students make art they are truly proud of, develop a skill they didn’t think they were capable of, or win an unexpected art award from sharing their work in shows and competitions. I love when a student shifts from a place of uncertainty to feeling a sense of accomplishment because of their experiences with art.
I keep students engaged by … providing as many hands-on experiences as possible, providing the best possible tools and resources possible (shout out to all my DonorsChoose donors! Thank you!!!), listening attentively to their interests, goals, frustrations and adapting lessons to meet their needs.
Something else I’m passionate about is … being my daughter’s biggest fan! She’s an actor in New York, but most importantly, she’s a kind and wonderful human.
My favorite teacher and subject to study in school was … Doug Johnson, a manager I had when I worked at McDonald’s in Rockford. He pushed me and expected a lot, but he also believed in me. I became a manager when I was 18. I learned a lot about managing people, and that job got me through college.
If I weren’t a teacher, I would be … an artist, of course.
— ANTHONY ZILIS