Malia Tschantz, an art teacher at Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts, is a tsunami of enthusiasm with a wicked sense of humor. High energy, full of non-stop motion. Quirky, wearing her personality like a cape. Dressed in varied and artful patterns.
And a finalist in the America’s Favorite Teacher contest.
On a recent Wednesday morning, she skated about her classroom, engaging her 8th grade Mixed Media students with a mixture of critiques and encouragement. At each station, she left behind a contagious vibe of zany energy and magnetic mania.
“Do your best and be yourself.”
Before diving into a project, students began with a five-minute sketch of a little red wagon. (Happy National Little Red Wagon Day is celebrated annually on the last Wednesday of March.) Students then gathered materials for a self-portrait project. Beads, bangles, glue guns and glitter flew across the room.
Tschantz, a teacher and a coach, has mentored students for 18 years in Akron Public Schools, their work receiving accolades at local and national competitions.
One of her former students, Audrey Hartman, now a full-time substitute teacher, describes her as eccentric, humorous, headstrong, compassionate, fun-loving, inspirational, engaging and compelling. Hartman said Tschantz understands how to build lifelong relationships with students.
She would know.
Hartman remembers Tschantz making a dress out of candy wrappers. To this day, Hartman can’t wrinkle, tear or throw it away.
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Jim and Kirsten Emanuele, members of the Miller South Art Booster Club, describe Tschantz as “Ice Cream McCrazypants.” The organization is sponsoring a voting marathon.
Tschantz could win $25,000, a trip to Hawaii and appear in Reader’s Digest. Tschantz told contest organizers she wants to start a scholarship fund for arts-related experiences. For she believes every grade level should enjoy specific experiences — from a musical, professional dance or orchestra performance to a play and museum. Tschantz hopes to win to “…inspire students to become confident, creative problem solvers, resourceful and kind.”
Finals voting runs April 25-May 1.
