Teacher of the Month⼁Introducing Maxx H.
At Pacific Preparatory, we are so lucky to work with the most thoughtful and inspiring instructors, all who bring lessons to life with engaging connections to student interests and their community. This month, we are pleased to celebrate Maxx, whose authenticity and genuine interest in their students facilitates their own personal growth.
Maxx (they/them/their) graduated summa cum laude from SUNY Oswego with a M.A.T. in Arts Education and a B.F.A. in Fine Art Illustration and minors in art history and creative writing. They bring empathy and an interdisciplinary mindset to teaching to help each student grow and succeed. Maxx has over a decade of teaching experience, beginning while they pursued their undergraduate degree. They have developed art programs as a full-time art teacher, working with the classroom teachers to integrate the art curricula with their core subjects. Maxx has enriched the lives of kindergarteners through graduate students in a variety of learning environments, centering the needs of each individual. Maxx has a background in design and production, including designing and marketing stickers as well as a number of other products. With Pacific Preparatory, Maxx teaches art. When they aren’t teaching, they can be found drumming with friends, training their cat, or creating their own drawings, paintings, and photographs.
When did you start teaching and why?
All three of my parents and two of my grandparents were teachers, and though I knew they all liked teaching for their own reasons, I didn't really get it because I heard them complain about what they didn't like about it. That changed when I was in eighth grade, and in social studies the teacher had us pair up and help each other study for an upcoming test. My teammate was really struggling to understand or remember the subject matter, and that moment when she finally understood and lit up really struck me, making me feel so good in how I had connected her to learning in a way she couldn't have gotten on her own. From then on, I started pursuing teaching in whatever ways I could, figuring out the subject area that I would want to focus on, and ways to develop my skills as an educator.
What do you enjoy most about teaching with Pacific Preparatory?
My favorite aspect of education is being able to connect with another person, understand how they see and think, and bring out what is already within them, supporting them to connect to what they want to achieve. The one-on-one customized style of teaching really allows me to do this to my fullest. I am trusted by the curriculum staff to be an expert in my field and allowed to teach to the best of my ability. I am able to really see each of my students for who they are and dedicate time and focus to being the kind of educator they need me to be on any given day.
What has surprised you about teaching with Pacific Preparatory?
This is the most supportive and welcoming working environment I've ever been in. The training experiences have been specific, informative, and very useful. Every step of the way I've been tangibly assisted and listened to when I've raised questions or concerns, even about aspects of the hiring/onboarding process that unintentionally excluded trans and nonbinary people. My perspectives and insight as an artist educator have been consistently valued and acted upon as needed by the administrative team. It's been so incredibly wonderful to be able to return to teaching where I can be safe, be myself and not only be tolerated but be seen and appreciated for who I am and what I bring to my students. As I've said many times, I didn't even know I could hope for or want as supportive an experience as I've had with Pac Prep.
What is your favorite activity to do outside of teaching?
Picking a single favorite is hard for me because it depends on what I need that day, but lately I've been really enjoying being outside and exploring spaces full of plants and animals while watching how the change of seasons changes how every living thing interacts with one another and the environment. It's also been a really great way to safely spend time with friends as the pandemic continues.
Maxx, we and your students are so lucky to have you on our team! Congratulations on being our Teacher of the Month!