Leslie Schulz

My philosophy is that everyone needs to learn everything—no one should be left out. Leslie Schulz , Web Design Instructor , The Art Institute of Dallas, a branch of Miami International University of Art & Design

Was there a defining moment when you knew you were destined to become a creative professional?

When I uploaded my first website, I knew I’d forever be fascinated by the world of web. The ability to communicate in both text and images gave me a feeling of great accomplishment.

How do you weave your professional background into the classroom experience?

When appropriate, I talk about my experiences working with a range of clients. I offer tips on finding jobs and creating strong portfolios. As a web designer, I stress the power of keywords and the importance of both web accessibility and search engine optimization.

What class assignment exemplifies your approach to teaching and mentoring—and how do you inspire students to push themselves beyond their own perceived limits?

In my JavaScript programming class, I teach the fundamentals of programming—but I also teach problem solving. I give students problems to solve, lead them to a certain point with examples and discussion, but there’s a point at which they have to figure out how to create the web application, solve the equation, or develop the interaction. It’s like a parent watching a child learn, then letting go.

How does collaboration contribute to students’ success—particularly when students from various programs work together?

We have a great design team course that combines both graphic and web skills. Students work together and have the opportunity to learn from each other. My philosophy is that everyone needs to learn everything—no one should be left out. So graphic designers learn to build WordPress pages, and web designers work on colors, graphics, and images.