By: Nelson Kramer and Annabelle Pan

Humor Editor and Graphics Editor

Completing his 30th year as a teacher, Mark Yanowsky instructs six different courses and inspires his students in both their artistic and life journeys.

Yanowsky began his career as a social studies teacher and taught a variety of history classes but switched to instructing art after eight years. He now teaches Art 2, 3, and 4, along with Studio Art, Portfolio Development, and Multimedia Journalism. Yanowsky’s art skills are “totally self-taught,” but, as he explained, “I got more serious about it once I started teaching it.” In his spare time, he makes oil paintings on repurposed wood, creating seascapes and occasionally dinosaurs. He focuses his art on the concept of time passing and reclaiming memories. 

Yanowsky majored in Modern Society and Social Thought at UCSC, and he focuses on using social theory to make change in the world, “so it [made] sense to become a teacher,” he remarked. He values the idea of “teaching history in a multicultural society,” which he says is still his mission even though he now teaches art classes. 

When it comes to his overall style of teaching, Yanowsky focuses on the philosophical and creative aspects of learning. His favorite aspect of being an educator is “working closely with kids to maximize their creativity and really getting into real life stuff.” As a long-time teacher, he has a lot to say about the value of education. When questioned about his own learning experience, he remarked, “Education is all about keeping people motivated to learn, how you look at it differently. Whatever it is to stay motivated, stay interested because that’s when you get the most learning and the most optimism in the student.” 

Outside of teaching, Yanowsky enjoys creating his own art, mountain biking, and surfing. His favorite component of surfing culture is that “you’re sharing intense moments that can’t be described, really…It’s an aesthetic, physical, athletic experience…It’s intergenerational, too.” He also emphasized the remarkable sense of responsibility and camaraderie within the surfing community. Yanowsky described surfers as people who often feel a deep obligation to give back to both their local communities and the environment that sustains their passion, and that is why he is proud to be part of such a community.

Yanowsky’s dedication to teaching, creativity, and personal growth has left a lasting impact on his students. Whether he’s inspiring young artists in the classroom, riding waves in the ocean, or working on his craft, he embodies the values of lifelong learning and meaningful connection. Yanowsky’s journey acts as a reminder of education’s power to shape lives and the importance of staying curious, motivated, and engaged in all aspects of how we live.