MY WHY - Lauren Hirsch, Art Teacher At Cooper

Ms.Hirsch inspires creativity and confidence in young artists at Cooper by helping them explore new techniques, materials, and ways to express themselves.

How do you grade art? That’s a question Cooper Middle School’s art teacher, Lauren Hirsch, hears often — and the answer might surprise you. In her classroom, the emphasis is on the process and creation, not just the final product. Students work at their own pace, exploring techniques and developing their abilities in ways that suit their individual styles. Every piece, whether finished or in progress, finds a place on the walls as a celebration of creativity. Grading is based on effort, growth, and technique—because in art, the journey matters just as much as the result.

Hirsch had a love of art and drama at an early age and always felt strongly about sharing her talents. But it was when one of her high school teachers asked her an important question: “What kind of lifestyle do you want?” that opened her eyes to a more practical profession, leaning towards art education. She earned her bachelor’s of fine arts from Millikin University, earned an endorsement in drama and then earned her master’s degree in curriculum instruction with an emphasis in English Language Learners (ELL) from Concordia University. 

Her first position out of college was with District 21, where she taught art part-time and drama part-time. “I chose District 21 because the district gives me autonomy to teach a variety of disciplines –  six units, including painting, drawing and clay, among others.”  With each unit, she emphasizes not just the technique, but the artist, the movement, and the history. She is working on introducing her students to more contemporary, diverse artists… and students are responding. At parent-teacher conferences, she has at least two to three parents tell her that their children “don’t like art,” but then come home and exclaim, “I really like this class!” 

She enjoys teaching at the middle school level because of the range of abilities and maturity. She can be playful with some students, helping them navigate social situations. In between classes, she assists with stage crew for the musical by painting sets (this year is Legally Blonde Jr.). She also leads the art club, yearbook and the variety show. Her husband (also a middle school teacher in the district) and her two young children keep her busy on the weekends. 

Hirsch’s ultimate goal is to give students a space where they feel safe to take creative risks, where their ideas are valued, and where they can take pride in what they create. In her classroom, every brushstroke and sketch is an opportunity for growth — and every student leaves knowing that their voice and vision matter.