Age
19
Gender
Female
Religion
Christian
Church
Lutheran
Hobbies and interests
Taekwondo
Theater
Drums
Art
Drawing And Illustration
Painting and Studio Art
Teaching
Mental Health
Martial Arts
Advocacy And Activism
Music
Social Justice
Collaging
Babysitting And Childcare
Reading
Fantasy
I read books multiple times per month
Caelyn Stahl
1,025
Bold Points1x
Finalist1x
WinnerCaelyn Stahl
1,025
Bold Points1x
Finalist1x
WinnerBio
I am an artist and educator with a passion for mental health advocacy and creative learning. I aspire to be the cool, quirky, colorfully dressed elementary art teacher that students love and trust. My goal is to one day have a classroom of my own that I can make into a safe space for all types of students and all types of learners. Using the healing power of art, I will encourage students to express themselves and their emotions in a productive and positive way.
Education
The College of New Jersey
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Fine and Studio Arts
- Education, Other
GPA:
3.8
Montclair High School
High SchoolGPA:
4
Miscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Fine and Studio Arts
Career
Dream career field:
Education
Dream career goals:
Dayside DJ
The College of New Jersey Student Radio (WTSR)2023 – Present1 yearIntern in Bradford Elementary School's Art Classroom
Senior Internship through Montclair High School2023 – 20233rd Degree Blackbelt Instructor and Tournament Coach
Glen Ridge Taekwon-do2022 – Present2 yearsStudent of Montclair High School's Center for Social Justice
Montclair High School's Center for Social Justice2020 – 20233 yearsCo-head of Stage Crew and SVPA Board Member
School of Visual and Performing Arts (SVPA)2022 – 20231 yearTaekwondo Student
Glen Ridge Taekwon-do2010 – Present14 yearsCompetition Judge
Taekwon-do International2017 – Present7 yearsVolunteer Instructor and Tournament Coach
Glen Ridge Taekwon-do2017 – 20225 years
Sports
Taekwondo
Club2010 – Present14 years
Awards
- Third Dan Blackbelt
- UTA National Sparring Champion
- Forms Champion CMA Inaugural Virtual Tournament
- Medalist at various Local and Regional Tournaments
Arts
Drummer - Willie Mae Rock Camp
Music"Bang a drum! Raise your voice!", "Star Wolves", "Unichordz", "The Phoenix 5", "Off the Grid"2015 – 2018Drummer - School of Rock Lessons and Performance Program
Music"Guardians of the Galaxy", "Women in Rock", "Clash vs Police", "Unplugged", "Pink Floyd: The Wall", "Skate Punk: Tony Hawk's Soundtrack", ""Shoegaze"2018 – PresentBoard Member - Montclair High School, School of Visual and Performing Arts
Theatre2022 – PresentStage Crew - Montclair High School, School of Visual and Performing Arts
Theatre"The Party's Just Starting Musical Showcase", "She Kills Monsters", "A Night on the Red Carpet Musical Showcase", "Witches!?"2019 – 2022Set Designer - Montclair High School, School of Visual and Performing Arts
Theatre"A Night on the Red Carpet Musical Showcase", "Witches?!", "Urinetown", "A Blockbuster Showcase", "Almost, Maine", "Footloose"2021 – PresentHead of Run Crew - Montclair High School, School of Visual and Performing Arts
Theatre"Urinetown"2022 – 2022Head of Tech - Montclair High School, School of Visual and Performing Arts
Theatre"A Blockbuster Showcase", "Almost, Maine", "Footloose"2022 – Present
Public services
Volunteering
Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church — Acolyte2013 – PresentVolunteering
Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church — Lay Assistant2018 – Present
Future Interests
Advocacy
Volunteering
Philanthropy
Entrepreneurship
Keri Sohlman Memorial Scholarship
WinnerI am interested in art education because I thrive in chaos and mess, especially the kind that comes from a room full of children.
I am an instructor at Glen Ridge Taekwon-do, where most of my time is spent teaching children aged four to six. I have been formally employed as an instructor for a bit over a year, but have been volunteering since I was nine. Further, I have run private lessons and built relationships with young girls, including the daughter of a black belt mom and master instructor dad. I volunteer as a coach at every tournament and encourage students at every promotion test. From a young age, I have been acting in the role of teacher and cheerleader and have learned just how wonderful children are. I am in awe of the joy and curiosity of children. I am inspired by the way they always want to know “why?” I am motivated by the excitement they have over the little things, things I often brush past. They remind me just how beautiful life is.
However, I also understand how difficult teaching can be. Children aren’t happy all the time; sometimes, they need extra support and care. They don’t always behave and don’t always listen. Sometimes, there will be rough days. Even on those difficult days at the Taekwondo school, when students aren’t listening, when I am frustrated and tired, I still feel joyful. It is an honor to be the one to help kids learn and grow, especially on hard days. It is exciting to problem solve, coming up with new ways to teach that are more engaging. When students aren’t listening, it is often simply because they are under-stimulated and can't focus, so I create new ways to reach them. It’s exhilarating when I find a method that works, a method that turns those rough days into ones of learning and growth. I am interested in pursuing education because I love kids, on the good days and the bad. I am interested in art education because art turns the bad days to good. I know this from experience.
Art is a form of education and activism. As someone with mental health struggles and ADHD, I want to be an advocate for people with similar conditions. Because of what I call my “funky” brain, my outlook on the world is often different than that of my peers. Where others walk, I run. Where others go slow, I go fast. My brain works at rapid speeds, coming up with millions of thoughts and ideas all at once, only to forget them seconds later. The worst part, though, is not these tendencies themselves, rather, it is the loneliness and isolation I have felt because of them. I thought that no one else had a “funky” brain like mine. However, in recent years I’ve discovered dozens of social media accounts run by people with ADHD who share their experiences with the public. In reading their posts, I feel less alone. As a future art teacher, my goal is to show students that they aren’t alone either. In order to make that dream a reality, I intend to get my degree in art education from The College of New Jersey. I will take full advantage of the school’s focus on hands-on learning and field experience because I cannot wait to be with the students.
So, why do I want to be an art teacher?
Because art education is the intersection of all my passions: art, working with children, and advocacy for people with “funky” brains like me.