My illustration journey began in January or this year. Always wanting to draw but never feeling like I was good enough at it, I downloaded a $5 app on my phone that’s all abuzz on Instagram called Procreate Pocket and a cheap stylus on Amazon and began creating digital art. I found the digital medium easier to work with than paper (and more forgiving on mistakes!), I found my confidence in my work begin to grow, and soon I was hooked. Finding the small screen on the phone and the cheap and not-very-accurate stylus limiting, before I knew it, I had purchased an iPad and an Apple Pencil and began to dive in even deeper, and I’ve even had my first commissioned piece!

The goal with my artwork is primarily to have fun, but I have enjoyed incorporating some of my illustrations into my teaching. As I mentioned in my post about incorporating my photography into my teaching, I think it’s always more meaningful when a teacher incorporates their own personal creations into a lesson.

I previously shared this drawing in my post about how I wrapped up this past school year. I included each student’s name on it. I think this may become a yearly tradition! Maybe this year I will print out a copy for each student!
I also shared this drawing of the school I teach at as well. I made it as a retirement gift for some of the teachers in my building. I am thinking of displaying it in my classroom as well.
I kept meaning to design a Zoom avatar for myself last year and never got around to it. Now that I’ve done it, Zoom is not going to be as much of a presence in my teaching this year. I’m not exactly sure where I’m going to use this yet, but I’m sure I’ll find a use for it.
I designed this poster to hang outside my classroom. The background is a photo I took of the night sky. Last year I printed out a design I purchased on Etsy, but now I’ve got one that’s all my own. I wanted to continue with a message of unity and togetherness.
I originally designed this poster in English and then I decided it would be great for my classroom. It contains mostly cognates so it’s easy for my novice learners to interpret.
I based this off an illustration I did to introduce myself to my Instagram followers, then I realized I could do it in French and use it as a way to introduce myself to my students! Most of it was created with elements from previous illustrations.
I tried to think of what other visuals I present to my students that could be redone using my illustrations, and I had the idea to make this sketch note about why to learn French. You can use the slider to see the French and English versions. This covers a lot of the materials that show up in the video that I show to my students at the beginning of every school year.
At the beginning of the year I have my students make a “C’est moi” mind map to introduce themselves and I provide an example. For this year I will be sharing an example that I illustrated myself.
I have my students complete Independent Exploration assignments throughout the school year. I designed this graphic to help students understand why it’s so useful.
This one’s a redo of a doodle I did early on when I was just experimenting. These suggestions are akin to what I offer students as Independent Exploration.
I made this illustration of myself wearing a mask for Mardi Gras.
This phrase was one of my “phrases secrètes” in 2020 right before we shut down.
This map of Paris is one of my favorite illustrations I’ve done to date. I most likely will display this in my classroom at some point.
I used to have a poster in my classroom that said this on it. I am planning on making a French version of this illustration as well.
This illustration was based on a photo I took on a field trip with 8th graders.

While not everyone is inclined to make their own illustrations, there are lots of ways you can bring your own personal touch into your classroom. As I wrote in my previous post, you can incorporate your own photos. You can also use a program like Canva to create your own graphics. And remember that nine months ago I wasn’t an illustrator either, so if the idea interests you and you’ve never tried it before, it’s never to late to start!

To see more of my doodles, including those that aren’t related to teaching, you can follow me on Instagram.

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