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Caelyn Stahl

1,025

Bold Points

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

Bio

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 program
2023 - 2027
  • Majors:
    • Fine and Studio Arts
    • Education, Other
  • GPA:
    3.8

Montclair High School

High School
2019 - 2023
  • GPA:
    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
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Education

    • Dream career goals:

    • Dayside DJ

      The College of New Jersey Student Radio (WTSR)
      2023 – Present1 year
    • Intern in Bradford Elementary School's Art Classroom

      Senior Internship through Montclair High School
      2023 – 2023
    • 3rd Degree Blackbelt Instructor and Tournament Coach

      Glen Ridge Taekwon-do
      2022 – Present2 years
    • Student of Montclair High School's Center for Social Justice

      Montclair High School's Center for Social Justice
      2020 – 20233 years
    • Co-head of Stage Crew and SVPA Board Member

      School of Visual and Performing Arts (SVPA)
      2022 – 20231 year
    • Taekwondo Student

      Glen Ridge Taekwon-do
      2010 – Present14 years
    • Competition Judge

      Taekwon-do International
      2017 – Present7 years
    • Volunteer Instructor and Tournament Coach

      Glen Ridge Taekwon-do
      2017 – 20225 years

    Sports

    Taekwondo

    Club
    2010 – 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 – 2018
    • Drummer - 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 – Present
    • Board Member - Montclair High School, School of Visual and Performing Arts

      Theatre
      2022 – Present
    • Stage 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 – 2022
    • Set 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 – Present
    • Head of Run Crew - Montclair High School, School of Visual and Performing Arts

      Theatre
      "Urinetown"
      2022 – 2022
    • Head 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 — Acolyte
      2013 – Present
    • Volunteering

      Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church — Lay Assistant
      2018 – Present

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Entrepreneurship

    Keri Sohlman Memorial Scholarship
    Winner
    I 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.