Photo taken by Noelle Miller
Vivian Pointer is a drawing and sculpture teacher at South Salem High School. She has been teaching at South for two years, and has previously taught in Longview, Washington and Guam. Pointer studied Apparel Design and Illustration for her Bachelors of Fine Arts (BFA) at Parsons School of Design in New York City and later on earned her MA in teaching at Marylhurst University.
The Journey of Becoming a Teacher
Before working as a teacher, Pointer worked in the apparel industry doing fashion illustrations and running a production studio for a knitwear company. As Pointer learned more about how the industry worked, she decided it was not what she wanted in life.
“I learned that in the world of business, people have two main goals: earning more money than they did the year before, and establishing a reputation for themselves. These goals felt very hollow to me, very self indulgent, and did not satisfy my soul. What was the point, I wondered? The people I worked with did not genuinely care about each other, and that was not the kind of environment I wanted to be in. I decided instead to become a teacher to recapture what I love about art: working with creative minds, who see the world a little differently and want to connect with other people. That’s what art is all about, and high school students are some of the most creative, deep-thinking, fun-loving human beings I have ever met. The artwork you create is a reflection of how you process the world around you. It is amazing,” Pointer said.
The Teaching Life
Pointer is extremely passionate about each and every student she has taught. Teaching such intricate art styles in such a short semester is extremely difficult. Following the school’s operations while also expanding the creativity of her classroom has been a challenge as a teacher. Although being a teacher is a very laborious job, she still finds such joy in her role.
“High school is a time of change, of growth and about discovering the kind of person you want to be in this world. I really enjoy seeing the world through the eyes of teenagers, because everything is new, and that means you ask the right questions! The world around us is always changing, and here in the art studio we can explore what that means, year after year, and through everyone’s individual and collective experience. It is really quite liberating that school gives us a place to do this together while we are evolving as people,” Pointer said.
Role Models
Throughout Pointer’s life, she has found many women role models. Even though many have been incredibly impactful, one sticks out the most in Pointer’s life.
“I am lucky enough to have been adopted by a woman who exudes love and compassion with everyone she meets. My mom, Vicky Klakken, showed me how to be strong, inquisitive, curious, open-minded, resilient, caring and how to have fun. We can not control other people, nor should that be our goal. But we can inspire other people through our own actions. We can be a person that others turn to for help. We can be there to remind others that they are not alone when the world makes them feel like they do not belong. My mom is the reason I have the strength to live every day with love in my heart, and for that gift I am forever grateful,” Pointer said.
Struggles of Womanhood
While significant strides have been made in overcoming challenges faced by women in society, there remains continual room for improvement. As Pointer has grown up in a generation of significant change in women’s culture and rights, she has a very unique perspective on how she feels about the barriers still in place for women, specifically taking place in the United States.
“I was born in a country where I have choices that many other women around the world do not have. But that does not mean that the systems affecting my life are unprejudiced and unbiased. I have found that many people have an opinion about what a woman should or should not be, and they will try to fit us into those boxes. It is important not to let that affect who you are, or who you want to be. I just try to keep learning more and more about the world around me so that when I have a goal, I can find a path to it. Even if that path is hard,” Pointer said.
As a female teacher at South, Pointer expresses how impactful her many career choices throughout the years have shaped her to be unique and quirky. As a teacher, she watches her students thrive in their individuality, and encourages them to be true to themselves even outside of highschool. As someone who later in life found her true passion of being an art teacher, she has advice for young women who want to venture into the teaching field.
“When you feel your spirit light up, listen to that feeling. We are our best selves when we find joy in what we do. Humans are very capable, and any skill can be learned. But you will only have strength to succeed if you genuinely find joy in the day-to-day experiences it provides. Teaching is a big responsibility, and that is what makes it so rewarding. I have had many different jobs. Teaching has been the hardest, but it has also brought me the most joy,” Pointer said.
