Why one Crafton Hills College professor takes a holistic approach to teaching
Snezana Petrovic looks at her students as her “future colleagues.”
So, when it comes to establishing a lesson plan for an upcoming semester, the longtime Crafton Hills College arts professor takes on a holistic approach.
“My students don’t just come to class to learn,” she said. “You really need to nurture students and help them grow organically by helping them find their calling.”
Petrovic’s approach to teaching caught the eye of her colleagues who threw her name into consideration as one of CHC’s Professor of the Year for the 2017-18 school year, an honor made official last month.
Along with Petrovic, a total of three professors were selected for the designation this year. Margaret Yau, a professor of computer science and computer information system, and Scott Simonson, a CHC adjunct professor of music, were also recognized.
Petrovic called the recent news “an honor” considering teaching wasn’t the original plan.
Hailing originally from Yugoslavia, Petrovic is the first in her family to pursue a career in the field. And when she first came to America, the then-young artist had a lot to prove to loved ones back home, starting with showing she could live off her passion.
It was while attending grad school at the University of California, Irvine Petrovic found a calling to teach.
“Pretty much after a decade or so you get to the place where you can teach others and share that knowledge and experience,” Petrovic explained. “And while I wanted to teach, it was my mentors at (UC Irvine) who insisted I do so.”
Eighteen years later, Petrovic has held teaching positions at both Crafton and California State University, Los Angeles. Today, she teaches full-time at Crafton and holds the title of chair of the fine arts department and is a professional development and organization coordinator.
A full-time position at Crafton not only gives Petrovic a chance to reach a large demographic of students, it also cut down on her commute and time away from her family in Redlands.
For many, teaching is more than just reading words from a textbook – it’s about helping shape one’s discipline and dedication to their desired craft, Petrovic said, adding it’s the fun and the constant learning she finds “immensely rewarding.”
“There is this feeling when you lose yourself in this sense of time of excitement for a project, and a sense of fulfillment when they’re actually accomplished,” she said. “And a big part of the arts is actually sharing your work. That’s what art is all about – sharing the beauty.
“In preparing my classes, I’m constantly thinking about the projects and I’m always trying to find something new,” she continued. “If something is going to work, I am going to try it to be 100 percent sure and go through the same journey as the students. It’s a very give and take kind of experience.”
