Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable fall 2024 graduates.
Christian Lubarsky-Ford has known he wanted to be an art teacher since he was in sixth grade.
"I loved making art and drawing my entire life, but I cannot quite remember what pushed me to education," Lubarsky-Ford said. "My ambitions for art and education really solidified in high school with my art teacher, Mrs. Julie Huag. She inspired me and challenged me as an artist to take on challenges and be who I am."
He said he is lucky to have had countless teachers throughout his life who supported him and his dream, but it has not always been an easy journey.
"There have been times I have felt I might be making the wrong decision to be a teacher or an artist," he said. "I remember working at the Boys and Girls Club Homes branch — my first time working with children K–8 — I was exhausted. It tested my patience, my disciplinary skills and myself as a role model.
"I would sometimes look in the mirror coming home and ask, 'Is what I want my life to be, working with children, teaching them?' The answer was always 'Yes.'"
This fall, he is graduating with a BFA in art education from the School of Art at the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.
As Lubarsky-Ford prepares to graduate, we asked him to look back at his time at ASU and give us some insight into his path to graduation.
Question: Why did you choose ASU?
Answer: I chose ASU for a couple of reasons: I had an aunt and uncle come here, it was the major university near me, and I knew friends and teachers who had received their education from here. I have to admit I did not do much research on the schools in Arizona; I knew of the major ones: ASU, NAU and GCU. I assumed I was going to ASU. Thinking about it now, I could have gone to any other in-state school or even out-of-state, but it did not occur to me to think about them. When I did get accepted and started my journey here, I knew I was where I was supposed to be. I could not have imagined myself anywhere else. I enjoyed my time at ASU.
Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?
A: Part of me would feel regretful if I did not mention all my teachers at ASU, especially the professors in the art ed program: Dr. Amber Coleman, Dr. Cala Coats, Dr. Bernard Young and Professor Carolyn Drake. They each hold so much respect for education and the arts; I have to thank all of them for everything they have given me. Education is a profession that is not often appreciated for how much they give, even in higher education. I want to emphasize that each one of my professors is intelligent, kind and passionate about the arts and their students. They deserve so much praise for their role here. I always knew I would be a teacher, but their support and teachings were more impactful to me than they may already know.
Q: What's the best piece of advice you'd give to those still in school?
A: Explore. Explore new hobbies, new ideas and new people. The best way to experience college is to embrace the unknown and learn from everything and everyone. I came to college with a foundational idea of who I was, but I wanted to challenge that idea. I connected with so many people, but I regret not opening myself up more.
Q: What was your favorite spot on campus, whether for studying, meeting friends or just thinking about life?
A: Entering ASU I wanted to find a culture I felt I belonged to. Coincidentally, I started ASU when I had just started my journey to Judaism. I found myself at ASU Hillel, the Jewish student organization on campus. I felt nervous initially, but Hillel has been a place of belonging and connection to me. Thinking about who I am, thinking about life choices, thinking of school and studying. I really enjoyed being at Hillel.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: Graduating with a degree in education has proven there are so many paths and journeys I can go after graduating. It is a bit limited mid-year, but I expect to substitute for a couple of months while looking for a full-time position. In my final semester here, I was in a full-time internship that allowed me to connect with so many teachers and educators in the field; those connections have given me a bit of an edge when hiring begins for the next school year. I am optimistic I will find a full-time teaching position where I will finally begin my journey of being a teacher, something I have dreamed about for years.
Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?
A: Forty million may sound like a lot of money, but when tackling a global problem, you are looking at billions, if not trillions of dollars, depending on the issue. However, I am aware that some organizations are building libraries in parts of the world with no electricity or education systems, so I would most likely partner with one of them.
Q: Anything else you think contributed to your success or that people might be interested to know about you and your journey?
For more School of Art stories, visit art.asu.edu/news.
A: Therapy. Mental health is so important, especially in a high-stress environment like college. It can also be a commodity that not many people have access to, but if you are able to receive it in any way, please take advantage of it. No one is perfect; we all struggle, and it may even seem like talking to a random stranger while you both sit on a couch seems pointless, but it's not. It's the reason I came back to college, the reason I had the strength to finish, and the reason I feel so much personal growth to become a better person.
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