Colorful life, colorful teacher

Florencio Maldonado Vaca, Zephyr Staff Reporter

In this issue of The Zephyr, we would like to recognize the magnificent work of art teacher Ms. Joy Cornish-Bowden.

Cornish-Bowden was born in Oakland, California to an American mother and a British father. She then moved to England at age two. At age 13, her parents divorced; her father moved to Chile, her mother to California. Cornish-Bowden stayed in England where she would pursue her greatest passion: art. She studied art in Bourneville College of Art in Birmingham where she received her Foundation in Art and went on to Bath College of Art where she earned her BA HONS in Art degree. Her studies were vibrant with excitement, “I traveled throughout Western Europe during my college years, the focus always on art, architecture and dancing” Cornish-Bowden said.

Once done with her studies, Cornish-Bowden moved back to California to be closer to family. She began living in San Francisco where she worked as a substitute teacher by day and a cocktail waitress by night. After some time, a job opportunity opened for her.

“I was euphoric when I when I was offered a teaching assignment at West and [I] have lived and worked in Tracy ever since.” This is her twentieth year as an art teacher in our school and has been a prominent member of our school’s activities. Over the years at West, Cornish-Bowden has been advisor for multiple clubs including Art Club, Swing Dance Club, and Badminton Club and has taken her students to numerous fieldtrips to San Francisco, New York and France, among others.

Pursuing a career as an art teacher had been Cornish-Bowden’s goal since an early age. When she was 16, she volunteered a whole summer at a children’s camp for underprivileged kids in northern England and she made up her mind about her professional future. “I loved being around kids of all ages, so I knew that I wanted a career that involved working with [them].”

She further explains that what she loves about teaching “…is that I can make a positive difference in my students’ lives as I help them discover value in their creativity…” She also says that she is delighted by the progressive artistic growth she is able to witness in her students throughout the year and the creative interpretation that each student gives to the projects she assigns.

For senior Ana Tapia, Cornish-Bowden’s Advanced Art is one of the most enjoyable courses she has taken so far because, apart from the improvement she has seen in her artwork, Cornish-Bowden allows her to express herself through the various art projects she assigns. “I love Ms. Cornish-Bowden because she always gives her honest opinions about your work and helps you improve…she is also very kind.”

Aside from being a great teacher, Cornish-Bowden says she strives to be an excellent mother, wife, teacher and friend. “I enjoy being involved in my daughters’ education and afterschool activities, gardening, travelling, reading, and being with my families and friends.”

As for her professional goals, Cornish-Bowden exclaims that “I want to make more of my own art!”

In this issue of The Zephyr, we would like to recognize the magnificent work of art teacher Ms. Joy Cornish-Bowden.

Cornish-Bowden was born in Oakland, California to an American mother and a British father. She then moved to England at age two. At age 13, her parents divorced; her father moved to Chile, her mother to California. Cornish-Bowden stayed in England where she would pursue her greatest passion: art. She studied art in Bourneville College of Art in Birmingham where she received her Foundation in Art and went on to Bath College of Art where she earned her BA HONS in Art degree. Her studies were vibrant with excitement, “I travelled throughout Western Europe during my college years, the focus always on art, architecture and dancing” Cornish-Bowden said.

Once done with her studies, Cornish-Bowden moved back to California to be closer to family. She began living in San Francisco where she worked as a substitute teacher by day and a cocktail waitress by night. After some time, a job opportunity opened for her.

“I was euphoric when I when I was offered a teaching assignment at West and [I] have lived and worked in Tracy ever since.” This is her twentieth year as an art teacher in our school and has been a prominent member of our school’s activities. Over the years at West, Cornish-Bowden has been advisor for multiple clubs including Art Club, Swing Dance Club, and Badminton Club and has taken her students to numerous fieldtrips to San Francisco, New York and France, among others.

Pursuing a career as an art teacher had been Cornish-Bowden’s goal since an early age. When she was 16, she volunteered a whole summer at a children’s camp for underprivileged kids in northern England and she made up her mind about her professional future. “I loved being around kids of all ages, so I knew that I wanted a career that involved working with [them].”

She further explains that what she loves about teaching “…is that I can make a positive difference in my students’ lives as I help them discover value in their creativity…” She also says that she is delighted by the progressive artistic growth she is able to witness in her students throughout the year and the creative interpretation that each student gives to the projects she assigns.

For senior Ana Tapia, Cornish-Bowden’s Advanced Art is one of the most enjoyable courses she has taken so far because, apart from the improvement she has seen in her artwork, Cornish-Bowden allows her to express herself through the various art projects she assigns. “I love Ms. Cornish-Bowden because she always gives her honest opinions about your work and helps you improve…she is also very kind.”

Aside from being a great teacher, Cornish-Bowden says she strives to be an excellent mother, wife, teacher and friend. “I enjoy being involved in my daughters’ education and afterschool activities, gardening, travelling, reading, and being with my families and friends.”

As for her professional goals, Cornish-Bowden exclaims that “I want to make more of my own art!”