Hi my name is JR Mitchell. I am currently attending Everett Community College. I am receiving my AA in Arts and Science in Spring of 2008 and will be transferring to Western Washington University in the Fall, majoring in Education. I grew up in Everett, Washington, where I attended public school for 12 years. Since 2006 I have been an intern with the Mukilteo Art Academy, which focuses on fine art education. I taught private art lessons between the ages 5-15 for the past two years. I learned that I took pleasure in the learning process, watching minds expand before my eyes by the understanding expressed through theirs. I am a assistant/student under the Master Teacher Oleksandra Pryveda (who is a rare professionally-trained artist). I help with the preparation of assignments and instruction. My experience with the art academy unveiled a talent to relate to kids. I always enjoyed working with people, but kids were always intriguing because they will be the next great thing in their time, and giving a hand in encouragement for the future leaves me with a sense of pride. My motivation to become a teacher is to help advance mankind. Life should be a pleasant experience, although the world is not full of pleasantness. My goal is to reach, enrich, and encourage a classroom of kids to become their full potential; I warmly accept the challenge.