EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS I HAVE TAUGHT AT:

I have taught here at ccsf since 2007.

Before this, I have taught at various universities and art schools:
California State University of Moneterey Bay
San Francisco Art Institute
College of Arts and Crafts
San Jose Sate University
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

ABOUT ART HISTORY...
To me, artworks from the past are not items that gather dust in museums or static images in books. To me art history is alive!

Learning about art history is not about lenghty lists of dates, being locked up in a dark room and dozing off with a monotonous voice... It is about sound scholarship, perspicacious research and fun!  In my classes you wil see engaging powerpoint presentations, discuss class content with peers and sometimes try your hands at making art so you can understand better some complex concepts.

To me learning about art history is about acquiring the necessary tools to "see" art, understand it in its broader context and for you to ultimately "own" it.  I believe that art is part of our cultural birth right and we should use it in order to understsand who we are, where we have been and where we might go in the future.

Art is beautiful, heart wrenching and a complex reflection of our human endeavors. This is why as a teacher I strive to relate class material to both contemporary and timeless topics that affect us today: diversity, war, gender relationships and for instance women's representation and automomy...

As one of my returning student once said to a new student entering my class: "Careful! It's contagious..."  Yes! My passion for art history is contagious and my hope is to share with you.

ABOUT DIVERSITY...
I am fortunate to have lived in 3 different countries: France-Mexico and here in the US. Hence, I speak three languages everyday of my life. As a teacher I strive to be inclusive and my rich life experiences as women, an immigrant and working with students with learning disabilites has taught valuable human lessons. Diversity is the very fabric of who I am: I am French and have lived here in Califronia for 1/2 my life.  My husband is Mexican (from Michoacán) and my children have 3 passports and speak three French, Spanish and English everyday with us.

ABOUT MAKING ART...
I am a both an art history teacher and a practicing artist (sculptor). I have shown in the Bay area and abroad for 12 years. Moreover, because I am interested in the field of early childhood education, I decided to teach art to young children (3 to 5 years old in particular) a few years ago.

For this I also took ealry childhood education classes here at ccsf  in 2004 (so I remember what it's like to be a student too!) I have taught to young children at various organizations in San Francisco: "First 5" - "French Lycee" ...

Art, multiculturalism and good pedagogy are topics that interest me greatly and endeavors I pursue in various capacities in my daily life.

MY HOBBIES ?
I enjoy many things: reading  books related to my field of study, learning new sculptural techniques (I recently participated in a felt making workshop)... 

I also love traveling in Mexico and France in particular.

This summer, I went for a road trip of + 2000 miles in Southern Mexico taking back roads for a couple months with my 2 children and husband. We traveled from Mexico City to Oaxaca, to Chiapas, Cancun and all the way back to the other coast passing through Veracruz...