My first teaching job was as a senior at BYU, teaching Italian 102. To be honest, I only applied because it paid $3 more an hour than I was making washing dishes in the Cougareat. I had no idea that that job would change my life. I discovered a love for teaching, and decided I wanted to do this for the rest of my life. 

As a graduate student, I taught 2D Design and Drawing II, and accompanied Professor Chris Terry on a study abroad to Germany as a graduate teaching assistant.

As adjunct faculty at Westminster College in Salt Lake City, I taught painting and drawing classes from 2012–2017 including beginning drawing, beginning painting, and intermediate and advanced painting. I gained Core Adjunct Faculty status, and received a grant to create a training module for other adjuncts: Cultivating Creativity.

I’ve done workshops for students and teachers at middle and high schools, and at the Springville Museum of Art. I also taught a collage class through the Lifelong Learning program at the University of Utah.

I love working with students and helping them improve and succeed. I encourage my students to accept feedback as a means to growth, and I try to help them think critically and solve creative problems, rather than just handing them an answer. I try to find the right balance between challenging students to get beyond their comfort zone, and encouraging them when they feel overwhelmed.

One of my favorite teaching experiences was having a drawing student tell me on the first day of class that she couldn’t draw, and so I shouldn’t expect much from her. After working with her over the course of the semester, she came up with two great final drawings. This from a student who thought she couldn’t draw! 

I appreciate the input others have given about my teaching:

One of my students told me that I gave her the courage to move forward with her own artwork. Another student wrote in a course evaluation, “Namon is one of the best instructors I've had in my college career, at Westminster and elsewhere. He was able to deliver criticism very well, no student was ever upset after a collaborative criticism of their work. In my opinion, it would be an absolute shame to not hire Namon as a full time instructor. If the opportunity ever arises, seize it!”

My supervising professor at Westminster, Matt Kruback, wrote in a teaching evaluation, “Namon is an outstanding instructor with the natural inclination to reflect and improve upon his teaching. … We are fortunate to have Namon in Painting and Drawing. His efforts make our department stronger and his devotion to excellence is to be acknowledged.”