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I started teaching young. My little brother's dyslexia was crushing his confidence, so I taught him what I was learning about drawing, and we spent a lot of time together making art. He became the class artist, and I became an artist/teacher, being a part of developing a child's interest and involvement in art.

This led to neighborhood kids, Hollygrove, private lessons, workshops, Parsons, Art Center, and part-time teaching before going full time here at Westridge in 2007. It was a big decision to start juggling my own art practice and this art of teaching the challenge high and terrifyingly irresistible. Just enough chaos and demands to get me to the brink of overwhelm or exhaustion before finding new skills and more courage. There is always a problem to solve, a person to get to know, projects to try. This is my 17th year and I still get excited for the new year, new kids, new ideas, new rapids to paddle through.

I have these moments in my studio and at Westridge I call "NOW". It is when I am in the flow, or my students are in the flow, engaged, creating, making, struggling,  pushing themselves, finding their solutions. One day we were painting water with one-inch paintbrushes, there was calm music playing and I watched them for moment as an observer, overcome with joy, listening to the pffft pffft pffft of the brushes as they covered their big papers with paint. It was messy, blue and green puddles and water cups, kids shoulder to shoulder pffft pffft pffft. This was a NOW. I was filled with joy, flow. I am not the most time-aware person, and when we are busy I am forgetful of time and space and the clock fills me with panic to wrap it all up, and move them onto their next class. You all have flows for them to find. What a joy to work with teachers who know what I'm talking about. Creative and engaging teachers who love what they do.

In the book FLOW by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, the author describes the flow state as happening when challenge and skill meet. If a challenge is too easy, boredom. If it is too hard, frustration. Flow happens when you lose yourself doing something hard but within your capabilities. Complexity builds, confidence grows, and of course, courage. I love that I work in a school that encourages taking risks, trying new things. I am going to teach gelli printing this year and have never done it—I am one step ahead… terrifying, but within reach. It's going to be a blast.

The Westridge community is not perfect, but our imperfections make this place very human. It can be scary—students can push us to the edge. But there are moments. The NOWS.

I love my students. I teach 4th, 5th, and 6th graders, a wide-eyed and enthusiastic bunch with all kinds of personalities. I've taught middle school and just had them the past 2 summers at Tiger Camp with their confused and hilarious mix of interests from Taylor Swift to teddy bears. In June I got to work with high schoolers who inspired freezing lake plunges, early morning bike rides, and late nights working at a big table together. Many NOW moments, in the flow, with all the ages. This place has people who are willing to put their feet in the water and let it carry them into the unknown project, discussion, performance, experiment. My reticent students conquering their fear of imperfection, my squirrelly kids finally finishing something and beam with pride, the fact that kids still climb trees! The vibe here is to go for it, jump in, the water's fine.

When you are in the flow and your lessons are working and your students are engaged, savor your NOW moments. Stop for a second and take it all in; the sounds, energy, and beauty that is our best work.

When the current gets stuck, find your people, the lily pond, walk around and enjoy a random chat, or some chocolate. Get the infusion of fresh water in your spirit. It is around you here, and it is why I stay.

May you all have many NOW moments, in the FLOW, in this lively current that is Westridge.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Valerie Trimarchi, who loves getting children excited about the creative process and seeing them learn how to express themselves, has been doing just that at Westridge since 2007. She has taught art at local independent schools, SPACE, and started and ran a private art program called Create/Express for kindergarten-adults out of her studio. Her work has been featured in children’s education journals, magazines, and editorial publications, including her book Breathe, and her 50+ murals can be seen at Cedars Sinai Ambulatory Care Center, Huntington Medical Foundation, St. Anastasia School, Hastings Ranch Animal Hospital, and homes and businesses throughout Los Angeles.