Marika Whaley is a sophomore majoring in art education at UW. She is ready for when classes return to normal.
Whaley said, “Being an art teacher is the main goal. Art is my passion and my family has teachers on both sides so it was a perfect fit for me to major in art education.”
Whaley works with drawing in charcoal or stippling. At this time she said she’s interested in still-life drawings.
“I’m looking for COVID to clear up. I’m so done with the COVID classes and I’m looking towards events and the lectures you aren’t required to attend or aren’t even in your field of study,” Whaley said.
Even though there are no guest lectures, Whaley said she has adapted to changes brought on by COVID. She doesn’t see many people outside of classes in order to avoid spreading COVID to her grandmother.
“I’m living with my mother right now because of COVID. It’s less interaction and my grandmother is at high risk so it’s a way to prevent spreading,” Whaley said.
Another change Whaley said she has made is to start an assignment or a project as soon as possible to keep up in classes despite the complications with COVID.
“I’ve had moments where I thought I was going to get a bad grade but I always pull through at the last moment,” Whaley said.
Whaley has started using a planner to stay on top of assignments recently. She said being able to write down notes in the planner as she goes helps keep her on top of the changes in classes due to COVID.
In addition, Whaley said she gets to know students who are also in her classes in case questions come up.
“I feel dumber asking professors, so knowing students to share questions has helped me most,” said Whaley.
Whaley said once she becomes a teacher she aims to work with middle school to high school students, but is not permanently set in her goal.
