My name is Nastasha Mol, and I am a 27 year old student teacher working in the Maple Ridge/ Pitt Meadows School District (#42) who is in their long practicum at Samuel Robertson Technical Secondary School on behalf of the PDP, FPA Module, at Simon Fraser University. My passion of learning and teaching visual arts grows everyday and my goal is to spark that passion and interest in the arts to younger generations.

I began my post-secondary education in 2009 at University of the Fraser Valley in Visual Arts. I spent five years at UFV earning my Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. During this time, I was on the Dean’s Honour Roll twice in 2009 and 2014. I also received two Undergraduate Research Excellence awards as well as 2nd Place Assistant Vice President Award in Research.

I was hired at 4Cats Arts Studio upon graduation of my Bachelors of Fine arts. 4Cats Arts Studios is a professional arts studio for children ages 2 to 15. I taught a variety of mediums, incorporating skill development and art historical education. During the summer, 4Cats runs various themed camps. It was during this experience at 4Cats that I realized my passion for teaching. I applied and was accepted to the Professional Development Program at Simon Fraser University and began my journey September 2015. Throughout this time I have learnt a great deal about my own teaching practice, style and goals but also my own personal beliefs surriounding our educational sysytmem how I can facilitate my students creative and critical thinking.