As the school prepares for the final month of the 2024-25 school year, one SMUS staff member prepares to turn a new page in her book. Angelina Agathoklis, Junior School Art Teacher, finished her last day at SMUS on June 5. Celebrations and moments to honour Angelina's tenure have been taking place this term. She took the time to sit down and reflect on her time at SMUS.
When Angelina Agathoklis first stepped into the SMUS art classroom more than two decades ago, she was a painter. But something unexpected happened when she started teaching. She began to see all art forms from the perspective of how children responded to them and allowed their joy to guide her teaching. This became particularly strong for her when she saw the how the children responded to working with clay.
“It was because of the kids that I fell in love with clay,” she said, standing in the colourful space still brimming with student work. “The more they loved it, the more I loved teaching it — and it became a vital part of my teaching practice.
That mutual joy — between student and teacher, exploration and expression — became the hallmark of Agathoklis’ career. Her classroom was never just a place to learn technique; it was a space where students discovered that by engaging in the creative process they became part of the world of art.
"Angelina’s impact on our school community has been immeasurable as she has inspired so many children and set the foundation for students to see themselves as artists and has fostered a love of creativity that will stay with them for years to come," said Becky Anderson, Director of Junior School, who spoke at a staff acknowledgement dinner to highlight Angelina's career at SMUS. "At the Junior School, we have all appreciated the vibrant artwork that fills our hallways, the stunning clay work displayed on the shelves in the front foyer and the love our students have for their time in the art room. As parents, we have all benefited from receiving beautiful and creative art from our children which exceed our expectations, and see that they are so proud of their pieces."
Angelina's path to SMUS wasn’t linear. After earning a Visual Arts degree, having a studio of her own and raising her children, she volunteered at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria in the Gallery in the Schools program and taught community art classes for young children. Through these experiences she realized that teaching was something she loved and enrolled in the Middle School teaching program at the University of Victoria. Her first teaching job came through a serendipitous chain of events and a two-week substitute position at the Senior School turned into a 22 year long career.
A classroom built on trust and joy
“I have always endeavoured to inspire, challenge, and most of all keep the students engaged in an environment that allows them to feel good while making art. As students evolved over the years, teaching had to evolve with them, but what never changed was my commitment to creating a space where creativity could flourish without judgment.”
Her approach was shaped by a deep trust in her students. If a project didn’t resonate, she let it go.
“I did a project this year I thought would be amazing and really fun, and the children hated it,” she said, laughing. “So we moved on. I’m more committed to them than to any one project.”
That trust became especially important during the COVID-19 years. Amid uncertainty and disconnection, her classroom became a vital creative refuge. It was a space where students could express themselves and feel like they were doing something productive, something joyful, creating something beautiful that belonged to them.
That same spirit extended to her colleagues and the broader school community, which she describes with one word: generous.
“The parents, the staff — people are generous with their time and their support,” she said. “It’s not just about resources, but about having the support you need to become a better teacher. There are people always willing to lend a hand, and above all else, everyone is working together to make sure the students have what they need so they can have the best possible experience.”
A legacy that stays with us
With retirement now in the books at the end of June, Agathoklis looks forward to becoming “a super involved grandmother” and reconnecting more fully with her personal art practise. But she’s also embracing the unknown.
“There are parts on the next part of my journey that I can see, and other parts that are completely unknown to me," she added. "Both of those things are exciting. The last few years have been really great years. I’m so happy that as I am leaving, I feel fulfilled and grateful for the time I have spent teaching art and being at SMUS.”
To new art teachers just starting out, she offers a piece of advice earned through experience: give yourself time to discover what kind of teacher you are. The beginning can be stressful and there is a lot of exploration, trial and error, but always be genuine. The students will appreciate you being your authentic self with them.
Agathoklis may be packing up her classroom, but her impact will linger in the students she inspired and the joy she brought to the creative process. Her legacy is one of trust, exploration and the quiet confidence that while in her classroom, all of her students belonged to the world of art.
