Any student who has ever had Mandy Schmucker as an art teacher will never forget the experience. Ms. Schmucker has taught at West Creek for 10 years. Seniors know Ms. Schmucker well: she is the sponsor of the Senior class, a big job when the school has more than 300 seniors.

The Coyote Caller talked with Ms. Schmucker so that students could learn more about her.

Question: What specific subjects do you teach?

Answer: Art I, Drawing II, Drawing III

Q: What is your background in art? College and major?

A: BFA (bachelor of fine arts) at APSU and teaching certification. I specialized in oil painting and ceramics.

Q: What is your favorite medium to work in?

A: I used to say oil paining, but becoming a teacher makes you appreciate other mediums more. I teach a lot of different mediums hoping if I spark joy in this person, they might choose their own.

Q: What is something you like to do besides creating art?

A: I like to put together puzzles.

Q: Do you listen to music while creating art? What type? How does that help you?

A: Yes. The type depends on the mood. I’m eclectic, right now we have on reggae.

Q: Who is your favorite artist? Why is this person your favorite?

A: Chuck Close. I couldn’t fit [his paintings] in my house, but the size of the portraits he paints is part of the appeal.

Q: What do you hope your students will gain by taking your art classes?

A: I hope they will learn to appreciate creativity and gain that grit that things don’t just happen in one class period.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world to see art, where would you go and why?

A: I think I’d go back to Germany so I could see the other Dahli museum. I’ve seen the one in Florida.

Q: What would the students be surprised to find out about you?

A: A lot of people would be surprised to learn that I grew up on a farm and bred rabbits. I had a rabbit that won first place a the county fair.