Introducing Mrs. Villa, PYP and MYP Art Teacher 11 April 2017
Mrs. Marcela Villa is our Primary and Secondary School’s Art Teacher. She began her teaching career in Colombia in 1999 and since then, enjoys guiding students to find their own way to express themselves and reach their potential. As an international teacher, she loves the connection with new cultures and different ways to see and make art.
Where are you from and how long have you been living in Japan?
I am from Colombia and I have been living in Japan for 7 months.
What did you study, why, and what did you like the most?
I studied Fine arts in Colombia. Since I was very young I knew I wanted to be an artist. I love working with digital and mixed media. I use photography, drawing, photoshop and printmaking techniques in my work. When I was an art student I used to project my work on public spaces. I completed my teacher training in the UK at Goldsmith College: PGCE Teaching Visual Arts in Secondary.
How long have you been teaching or working in Education? What are the achievements you are most proud of?
I have been teaching in international schools since 2008, but I started my teaching career in Colombia in 1999. During these years I have been able to inspire students and develop their creativity and skills. Perhaps the best moments of my career as a teacher have been when students find their own way to express themselves and reach their potential. While teaching in Doha some of my MYP and DP students were selected to display their work at the Museum of Modern art and one DP student was selected by the Crossway Foundation to display her artwork in London. Empowering students to believe in their potential has been my biggest achievement and I hope to continue doing this at Aoba Japan International School.
What do you like most about teaching or working in Education?
I enjoy the interaction with students in the classroom. The discussions and exploration of ideas is very inspiring for me. I also enjoy inspiring them and seeing them grow as young artists. As an international teacher I enjoy the connection with new cultures and different ways to see and make art.
What are your roles here at A-JIS?
I am the PYP and MYP art teacher.
What do you do for fun?
I love to walk around the cities I visit and take photos of interesting places and people.
Is there something interesting about yourself you would like to share?
I have two children who left their home country when they were very young and I have seen them grow as individuals free of prejudice, openminded who celebrate diversity every day of their lives.
