As we begin our new academic year, we welcome many new staff members. The Woodstocker caught up with some of them to chronicle the first chapter of their adventures.
Where are you coming from?
I am from New Delhi.
What subject do you teach?
I teach MYP Arts for grades 9 and 10.
What’s different about Woodstock from the last place you worked at?
I worked with younger professional artists, so working with high schoolers is different for me.
Why did you choose to come to Woodstock?
For the last 15 years, I’ve been creating learning experiences for many young artists. During that time most of the teaching I did was informal, so when I started teaching formally I wanted to pursue it at universities or schools. I believe that we should take art seriously, so I wanted to help people make professional art and inspire them to take it more seriously. As when I was young, no one told me that I could take art seriously, and I wish I had someone to tell me that earlier. I also like the IB system, because it emphasizes making things relevant to the real world. Finally, I wanted to put down roots in Mussoorie. Because my family and I chose Mussoorie to settle down and live the rest of our lives here.
What are your goals for this academic year?
To make art more relevant to all my students.
Are there any fun facts about you that you’d like to share?
I’m an Indian citizen. And I attempted to break the world record for most sparklers lit simultaneously, which you can see on my website http://www.stefaneicher.com.
Photo by Knema Gardner
Raymond Chirwa is a staff reporter
Edited by Nupur Agrawal
thewoodstocker.com 