Most people want to get out of high school as soon as they can, but some find themselves back at their home high school, teaching rather than attending. Art teacher Errin Corstange fell in love with Loy Norrix 27 years ago and now finds herself entering the glass tower again, every day of the week.

Corstange has taught art at Kalamazoo Public Schools for 23 years, spending most of her time at Milwood Middle School. After that, she transferred to teach at Norrix three years ago. When Corstange was a high school student, she loved her art classes even though her schedule didn’t allow her to take many. She enjoyed one teacher in particular, especially because of the freedom she would give Corstange on her projects. 

“When I was at Norrix and I took my basic design class, I had Karen Kendall as my art teacher, and she was phenomenal,” Corstange said with a big smile on her face. 

Corstange often found herself finishing projects quicker than most students and working ahead. Her teacher would allow her to write out lesson plans because of this. The plans explained what Corstange wanted to do and how she wanted to do it, and allowed her to be creative and make her own guidelines for her projects. She got to expand her art skills because of the freedom her teacher gave her.

“She kind of let me explore and really fostered my love for doing more,” Corstange said. 

Corstange has always loved art, and learning lesson planning helped her prepare to become an art teacher. When she graduated, she knew teaching art would be in her future.

“I knew when I left here, like when I graduated, that I was going to do art and art teaching because I love kids,” said Corstange. 

After high school, Corstange attended Hope College and earned her bachelor’s degree in art. She then continued her education at Western Michigan University and earned her master’s degree in art education. When Corstange returned to Norrix, she had the chance to teach some of the same art classes she had once taken. 

Corstange applied to teach at Norrix when she heard one of the art teachers was retiring. She was intrigued by the idea of teaching at the school she used to attend, and now she finds it to be a lot of fun. 

“I thought it was kind of cool. It’s fun and I enjoy it,” Corstange said. 

Corstange’s classroom was originally A-21 which is directly next to the room she had as a teenager while taking basic design. For her second year, she requested to move classrooms and is now teaching in room A-20, where she used to create her own art. 

Corstange feels sentimental about moving into her old classroom. Her basic design teacher from high school inspired her to teach art, so it means a lot to Corstange to be teaching in the same classroom where she had been artistically inspired. 

“It feels like my life has come full circle,” Corstange said.

Corstange doesn’t have one particular class she likes to teach more than the others, but if she had to choose one, ceramics would be near the top of her list. 

“I don’t know that I have a favorite. I really enjoy doing ceramics and jewelry. If I had to pick, those would be the ones I’d want to teach first,” Corstange said. 

In Corstange’s ceramics class, students experience hand-building techniques such as pinching, coiling and slab construction. Students also get the opportunity to throw clay on a wheel, a way of making symmetrical and round pottery. Corstange has her students do five projects throughout the trimester, including a choice project at the end, which allows students to create anything they want. 

“I just really love being able to see kids be creative,” said Corstange. “I don’t give too many requirements for the assignments, and I love to just see what kids do with the clay.”

Corstange gives lots of creative freedom on her assignments, and many of her students appreciate it. 

“I think it’s good that she lets us do whatever we want,” senior Nahir Ortega said. 

Junior Ariah Leake is a student in Corstange’s ceramics class but has also been in many of her other classes. Leake views Corstange as one of her favorite teachers due to her patient and supportive nature. On one of the ceramic projects, Leake struggled, but Corstange encouraged her to keep trying, which Leake valued and appreciated. 

“She’s the nicest and most supportive teacher,” Leake said.

Senior Elizabeth Bierlein had Corstange at Milwood Middle School when Corstange used to work there and has now had her again in high school. Bierlein was excited about this because she always loved how helpful she was, and now, when Bierlein has new ideas, Corstange has continued to show her support as a high school student.  

“She makes art really fun and is always down to make my ideas come to life,” Bierlein said.