By Elise Mackanych
The demand for credentialed art teachers has increased since the passing of Prop. 28 in 2022, and Academy of Art University serves as a major pipeline for qualified educators to be hired in public schools, thanks to two graduate-level teacher training programs that now offer an internship track.
“We have been approached by a number of elementary teachers and teachers of other subjects about adding an art credential because they always wanted to be an art teacher, but it was a far more competitive job market and provided less job security than other subjects, and now they feel secure in following this dream,” said School of Art Education (ARE) Director Matthew Sweeney.
The Academy’s new Internship Credential—available to students in ARE’s credential and MAT programs—allows students to work at a public school as a full-time teacher in as little as one semester. Compared to the traditional unpaid student-teacher route, this opportunity allows students to get paid while teaching and continuing their credential courses.
Students may enter this program through different pathways, whether they work in the school district and want to become teachers or have already received a job offer while at the Academy. When the Burlingame School District inquired about a middle school art teacher, ARE recommended current Academy student Austin Ozaraga, who’s currently enrolled in the MAT program.
“We immediately thought of Austin, who had made a strong positive impact on our faculty in his first semester,” said Sweeney. “Austin has a strong technical skill set, a creative zeal that would endear him to middle schoolers, and he not only produced excellent work in his art education classes but also emerged quickly as a leader among his peers.”
Ozaraga is one of ARE’s first Internship Credential students, who discovered the program through ARE Associate Director Catie Rice. Ozaraga knew he wanted to work for public schools but didn’t think it was possible to do so while still a full-time graduate student. However, with the support of instructors and mentors at the Academy and Burlingame Intermediate School (BIS), he is able to balance both opportunities.
“I’ve been deeply supported by my mentors at ArtU, including my teachers, administrators, and colleagues at BIS. Everyone has been incredibly helpful, and it’s clear they genuinely want to see me succeed. I feel so fortunate to have so many people rooting for me—it’s actually making me a bit emotional as I reflect on it,” said Ozaraga. “Their unwavering support has reinforced how much children need access to quality education, and it’s inspiring to see how passionate educators understand the importance of this mission. It feels amazing to be part of a community united by the shared goal of uplifting and shaping the future.”
Ozaraga hasn’t always been in the art education sector. With a B.F.A. in visual development also from the Academy, he interned at a game studio, but he didn’t feel fulfilled by the work. In combination with industry layoffs, he began to explore teaching at a local art studio, where he found his passion.
“After a few months of teaching at private art schools, I realized I wanted to deepen my skills and grow as an educator, which inspired me to enroll in the MAT program,” said Ozaraga.
After submitting his application at BIS, Ozaraga received a request to interview two days later. After being hired and his onboarding completed, he was assigned a mentor at BIS who helped him navigate the public school environment.
After participating in the internship credential program and working at BIS, finding stability working as a full-time teacher and a full-time graduate student is not always an easy one, but it’s one that’s worth it.
“Middle school often gets a bad reputation because students are in a stage of discovering their identities and understanding their relationships with others, which can bring about behavioral challenges due to hormonal changes,” shared Ozaraga. “Despite this, I see it as a privilege to witness their emotional and social growth, especially when art serves as a catalyst for their learning and self-expression. Knowing that I am contributing positively to their development gives me an immense sense of fulfillment—it truly feels like the best job in the world.”
For Academy students interested in pursuing ARE’s Internship Credential, Ozaraga advises taking advantage of the resources available, including the robust resume support available via Career Services, organizational guidance from Peer Mentors, and instructors’ encouragement.
For additional information about the School of Art Education’s Internship Credential, please visit https://www.academyart.edu/degree/teaching-credential-art-education/