“It’s Like I’m Tricking Them Into Learning”
Reprinted from Traditions, Summer 2022
August 31, 2022
Art teacher Nick Giles ’03 works hard to make his classroom a fun and welcoming place to be. He has also coached Ultimate Frisbee and Volleyball, and is the advisor for the Yearbook and Vogue Club.
What do you enjoy about teaching at the school you attended?
I felt so comfortable coming back into the hallways that I walked years ago. I feel even more invested now in trying to make this a place that students enjoy and appreciate, or at least to give them a sense of appreciation once they leave. I also feel great knowing the care that teachers show to students daily, the legacy that students can create on their own while they are here, and the feeling of community that students will get after they leave. I didn’t appreciate CDH as much as I should’ve when I was a student, but I sure do now knowing what type of education I received and the social community I gained.
What led you to become an Art teacher?
I have a passion for design and creating with my mind and hands, and being able to give that knowledge to students who have that drive to do the same is so fulfilling. Being with students and just talking is a lot of fun, and we don’t necessarily have to be talking about assignments. Interactions, conversations, designing, and making is what it is all about.
How do Art classes benefit our students?
I think the main benefit is that students learn to mock-up, visualize, and better themselves in the process of trial and error, learning from their mistakes. That happens in most classes, but in Art students have that visual reference that they can see and feel and be proud of. Students need to experience failure and learn to improve from it. Seeing how proud they are after making improvements and seeing that final product makes me so proud of them. Q How would you describe your teaching philosophy? Part of my philosophy is teaching students the content in a way they will understand. I like to have fun with it, show images, do demos that relate to what their interests are, and keep the classroom relaxed. I feel like that type of atmosphere leads to a welcoming room where students want to be. If they are with me and want to be there, it is like I am tricking them into learning because it doesn’t feel like they are forced to be there, sitting down in their seats, listening, and learning. They are just having a good time while also retaining information in a fun way. I think it also helps that if something doesn’t work, I have no problem changing it. I also have no problem admitting when I am wrong and I think students appreciate that.
What do you do with your time outside of school?
Most of my spare time is operating an artistic small business with my wife, called Northern Lights Design. We do a lot of commission work for people and companies where I design and create functional and artistic pieces. I work with a couple of breweries to create signage, special projects and products for them to sell. When I am not at school all I want to do is design, problem solve, and build with my hands out in my wood shop. It is very much my happy place and that is what the majority of my summer is spent doing. I also like to to play Basketball, Volleyball, and Ultimate Frisbee in local rec leagues.
Check out Giles’ work and market schedule on Instagram @northernlightsdesignmn, YouTube @northernlights_designmn, or at northernlightsdesignmn.com.