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William Ortoleva
Art & Design, '06
Hamden School System
Teacher
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COLLEGE MAJOR
When entering SHU I wasn’t sure what major I wanted to choose. Everyone I talked to always said, “Don’t worry Will..you don’t need to know your major right off the bat. You’ve got plenty of time to decide.” So, I decided I’d try things out. After taking primarily business related courses my freshman year I realized that it wasn’t for me. That is not to say that the things I learned in those classes are useless. Growing up in a family of teachers (my mom, who has been a kindergarten teacher for 20+ years, my father, who was a high school English teacher for 30+ years, and my sister, who is currently an art teacher), I wanted to veer as far as possible from what they were doing and “do my own thing.” (Little did I know that eventually I would follow their footsteps), BUT, I had a passion for art, drawing, painting and design, so I decided that I was going to be a Graphic Design major my sophomore year. I don’t regret my decision what so ever. The staff and students within the SHU Art & Design program were some of the most dedicated, creative, and hard working people I have met to this day. The program allows students to express their artistic abilities through print, web design, drawing, painting, photography, etc. Exploring and critiquing art, and sharing personal artwork enabled me to become a more well rounded artist. I honestly believe I am a better person because of the program (and no, I’m not trying to sound cheesy..I mean it!)
JOB POSITIONS
SHU does a wonderful job with finding Graphic Design majors jobs when they are getting ready to graduate. My professor, John Walker, head chair of the SHU Art & Design program, made sure that all of us were “out on the prowl” interviewing and getting our portfolios out there for clients and companies to see. I went on several interviews and got several call backs, and as much as I loved art and wanted to go into the field, something didn’t feel right. I contemplated, “Do I want to work from 8:00 am until unknown hours, staying up late finishing a boss’ work for a company, logo, website, advertisement, etc.” Was it a waste? I just worked my butt off, spent hours and hours in the computer lab perfecting my art and graphic design work and now I don’t want to work in the field I am receiving a degree in?” It was not a waste. My background in art and design helps me tremendously with what I do today, teach!
CURRENT POSITION
I am currently a 6th grade elementary school teacher in Hamden, CT. After I graduated from SHU I had a long discussion with my parents and sister about what I was going to do with my life. I was in a rock and a hard place and I’m not lyin’!. Do I go into graphic design or do I look at my other options? I looked at my other options. Previous summers I taught summer school in New Haven, CT to inner city school children. I loved every minute of it. Between seeing kids improve day to do, socializing with them, laughing with them, and having them appreciate me, I realized that THIS is what I wanted to do and if I didn’t go back to graduate school to get my Masters in education, I would regret it the rest of my life. I went to the University of New Haven an obtained a Masters Degree in Elementary Education. Even though I said 4 years earlier that I didn’t want to follow in my parent’s and sister’s footsteps..I did. And, on a side note, I do freelance graphic design work during my spare time!
TYPICAL WORK DAY
Every day is unpredictable in the teacher’s world, but that’s what makes it worthwhile! Never will you have a day that you go home and say, “Yeah. Today was boring today. I didn’t do much. Just stayed behind a computer screen,” or “Nothing eventful happened today.” Every day I go home with a new story to tell or SOMETHING to talk about. My class is a mix of all different cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, and skill levels. Hard? Yes. But worth it. The students come in at 8:30 and leave at 3:40. I tend to get to school at 7:00 and leave around 5:00. Sometimes I will stay even later after school to get work done and plan, but it’s worth it to be prepared!
POSITIVES
There is never, ever, ever, ever a dull moment in the teaching world, and that’s a good thing! The staff at my school is like a family. When there is a death in the family, or a school related problem, or a family in need, we all come together and come up with a solution. I have never met a more tight-knit group of people who care so much about each other and the kids. I get complete satisfaction from seeing kids grow as individuals from that first day they come in (when they’re nervous and sweating), to that last day when they’re tearing up and giving you hugs (and it’s always the toughest kids who drove you NUTS who appreciated you the most.) Seeing them grow intellectually and improve upon their skills is very gratifying. I have seen some of my struggling students go from a D average all the way to a B average because we BOTH put the time in. It feels good. (And that’s just ONE example). If I were to talk about all of the aspects of this job that make me happy, I would need at least an hour more of your viewing time! That’s the truth! (Also, having a background in art truly helps within the class room!) Other things that makes me happy about the job: Seeing student’s improvement and progress and knowing that I contributed to it, events and school activities (Staff Vs. Staff basketball game, International Day, trips to Ellis Island, etc.), laughing students, reasoning students, inquisitive students, willing students….and the list goes on.
NEGATIVES
Frustration with kids? Neverrrrr (just kidding). In all honesty, all teachers get frustrated. Sometimes I plan a lesson for days, I get SO excited about it, and then it goes all wrong. It’s a learning process. You look at the negatives and rebound from them. I started teaching in 2007 and I never thought it was going to get easier. It did though. Correcting papers is a pain in the butt, but it comes with the job. Whenever I would get a paper back as a kid, in high school, and in college, there would always be 2 things: The grade and a boring comment like “Nice Job,” or “Excellent,” or unfortunately sometimes, “Did you study?” I veer away from those types of comments and as big of pain that it is, I read every single sentence that the students write and actually give them feedback and write what they can do better next time or what I enjoyed about their paper/assignment. It sometimes takes hours, but if students see feedback (not just a “Good Job”), they will appreciate it. Sometimes you do need to put in extra hours on the weekends and stay up until midnight to plan and get your lessons ready, but it is well worth it. Hard work pays off.
LIFESTYLE
I’m always on the go. Being able to have my weekends off is a definite perk. I am able to play in a men’s lacrosse league, hang out with my friends and family, and have some fun. Whenever I talk to people who work in the business world they always say, “Teachers have it sooooo easy. You get summers off.” I agree with the second part of that statement. Yes, we do have the summers off, but teaching isn’t easy. Teaching has allowed me to do what I love. It has made me a better person. Without teachers, many of today’s top politicians, doctors, lawyers, and surgeons wouldn’t be where they are. The teaching lifestyle also makes you a more well rounded person, a “people person.” I also tutor and provide respite care to children with autism when I have extra time.
COLLEGE PREPARATION
I wouldn’t change a thing. College is a stepping stone to your career path. Organization, hard work, determination and the right attitude will prepare you for your career not matter what field you chose to go into. Manage your priorities.
CAREER ADVICE
Do not go into the teaching profession to have the summers off! You would be in it for all the wrong reasons. Become a teacher because you love kids and want to improve their lives and help them further their education. Observe classrooms, get involved with after school programs, and get your name out there. Teaching is a tough position to come upon in CT, especially if you are an elementary education. Jobs are limited but if you work hard, make a name for yourself, and “show your stuff,” it’ll help you get your foot in the door.
SHU EXPERIENCE
My experience at SHU was great! Even though I had a really tight knit group of friends from home, I made wonderful friends at SHU, many of which I am still close with today. SHU is a great school for students who don’t want to attend a school where you’re just a number (basically, when you’re in a class with over 100 people and the teacher never takes attendance.) You are able to become close with teachers and you really get to know them. I honestly grew up at SHU and it helped me get where I am today!