Mrs. Mary DeClerq strives for a “fulfilling” teaching experience

Mrs. Mary DeClerq strives for a fulfilling teaching experience

Nicole Askar, Staff Writer

This year, because of the expansion in the arts department at CCHS, several new art teachers joined the Dons family, including Mrs. Mary DeClercq. Mrs. DeClercq is a native of Wyandotte, Michigan, a small town with a strong Polish-Italian community in the south of Detroit. From growing up in the Midwest, Mrs. DeClercq most vividly remembers the cold Michigan weather, her days as a cheerleader, and, perhaps most importantly, her interest in art.

Mrs. DeClercq did “a lot of art in high school” and had family and friends who supported her interest. However, she thought that she would never pursue it professionally. After some soul-searching, Mrs. DeClercq decided to become an art teacher, majoring in Art Education at San Diego State University.

After graduation, Mrs. DeClercq moved around the country a lot with her late husband, who was in the Navy, and her two sons. Later in this school year, one of Mrs. DeClercq’s sons will be working at Cathedral in the Options Program.

Although Mrs. DeClercq did not spend very much time in one place, she used it as an opportunity to learn more about art. Traveling around the United States, she was able to see more art and meet other artists. Mrs. DeClercq constantly strives to improve her skills by taking workshops to improve her drawing, painting, and sculpting. She has held art classes out of her house and has had work featured in art shows.

Earlier this year, Mrs. DeClercq decided to move back to San Diego because “she likes it here.” Mrs. DeClercq joined the Dons family since she thought the Catholic school environment would be “more fulfilling than public schools.” She thinks that the school’s administration is very family-oriented and supportive. So far, Mrs. DeClercq’s experience with her students has been pleasant. “Students are very respectful here, more so than at other schools,” she said.

This school year, Mrs. DeClercq said that she plans to “get familiar with all of [her] classes and improve them.” Mrs. DeClercq hopes to build relationships with and “create more meaningful projects for her students.”