RISD REPORT
Career and Technical Education can impact students in many different ways, and can reach students who don’t always “fit the mold”.
This week Britina Pesak, RISD CTE Director, has a great example of just how important CTE classes are at Rockdale ISD, and how a passion can be developed into a career.
Rockdale ISD Graphic Design Teacher Gimel Peter-man has a lot of valuable experience to draw upon to prepare his students for the future.
Art was a part of his life from an early age and as a senior in high school, Peterman had his own art gallery.
During his service in the military, he did mural work (pro bono, of course!) and his other work included t-shirt designs and art classes.
At one point, he worked for the Killeen Daily Herald as a page-layout designer and owned his own caricature business called Artistic Sarcasm.
During his last year in college as a part of his internship where he designed children’s activity books, he wrote, designed, and published a children’s book on Amazon.
Teachers like Peterman, or “Mr. Mel,” as the students have come to know him, are critical for helping the district ensure that the CTE courses being offered are both rigorous and relevant.
The Graphics Design program of study prepares students to be proficient in industry-preferred software such as Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, After-Effects, and Premiere.
Students are also introduced to similar programs that can be used online and with comparable features to work on transferrable skills. The goal is for students interested in careers in graphic design like logo or character design, video game design, ad marketing, etc. to have the certifications and enduring knowledge to be ready for the next level.
All CTE programs focus on employability skills, and Graphic Design is no exception.
This year, Peterman is focusing on the need for artists to have the ability to listen, draw, collaborate and problem-solve.
Certainly, technical skills are always in demand, but Google and YouTube can solve that problem in a pinch.
The true skills are those that require students to build over time and the tenacity to do so.
Student testimonials, along with enrollment numbers, reflect students’ positive attitudes towards the district’s growing Graphic Design program.
Most of that can be attributed to Mr. Mel’s passion for the subject.
“I have always loved to draw,” said 16-year-old Emma Mirales, who is a Junior at Rockdale High School.
She’s taken Principles of Arts, Audio-Visual Technology and Communications, and Graphic Design I. She is currently enrolled in Graphic Design II.
“I just finished a describe and draw project and I am amazed at how far my skills have come. Mr. Mel has really pushed me to become a better artist and designer,” she said.
What does the future of the industry look like for the world of graphic designers? Peterman says: “The world will always need the graphic designer. The Graphic Designer is one of the jobs that support and bring to life ideas, businesses, communities, and laws. The core of Graphic Design is to create awareness and provoke action. In the city of Austin alone, the industry is thriving.”
Peterman is in his second year of teaching at Rockdale High School and has made a positive impact on the lives of students. He says: “I’m really grateful and honored for the opportunity to share my passion as a teacher at RHS.”
Please contact Britina Pesak, Director of CTE (Career and Technical Education) at bpesak@rockdaleisd.net or 512-430-6140, ext. 1021 if you would like to find out more about any of the CTE programs available at Rockdale ISD.
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.