We are thrilled to (re)introduce you to Amy Diamond, who has been an integral part of Lane Tech’s art department for an impressive 12 years! With a total of 15 years of experience within the Chicago Public Schools system, Amy brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the classroom.

Currently teaching Honors Digital Imaging I, Honors Digital Imaging II, and Photography classes, Ms.Diamond creates a dynamic learning environment where students thrive creatively and technically. From graphic design to stop motion to real-world photography, Ms.Diamond challenges students to unleash their creativity, and explore the endless possibilities of digital art and design.

What makes Ms.Diamond’s classes truly special is the array of technology students get to use. From Adobe software like Photoshop and Illustrator to DSLR cameras, not to mention iPads and iMacs, students have access to a toolkit that sparks their creativity and enables them to bring their artistic visions to life. Ms.Diamond is also exploring incorporating AI into her instruction.

When asked about her vision for education, Ms.Diamond emphasizes personalized learning experiences tailored to each student’s unique needs and interests. This approach fosters deeper understanding, heightened engagement, and better preparation for the diverse challenges of our ever-changing world.

Getting a chance to observe Amy’s class brings up both feelings of amazement and jealousy. Our students receive college-level instruction and produce some truly captivating digital art. Thinking back to my high school experience, this sort of multimedia experience was something we were only able to look forward to in college. We are so happy to have Amy at Lane and look forward to more digital art from her classes for years to come!

Q: What inspired you to become a teacher?

“I had an amazing photography teacher in high school that had an incredible impact on my life. She taught me how to harness creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. I wanted to become a teacher to help students share their passion for creativity and self-expression, and foster a supportive environment where students can explore their artistic talents. I loved the idea of being able to help students develop not only their technical skills but also their confidence and artistic voice.”

Q: What is the best part of your job?

“The best part of my job is seeing the transformative power of art in students’ lives. One of the reasons why I love teaching photography is that I am able to literally see how students view the world through the lens of their camera. They all view the world in such different ways and to be able to witness it, is absolutely incredible!”

Q: What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

“Cherry Garcia from Ben and Jerry’s”

Q: What is your favorite book or movie?

“My favorite book is The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and my favorite movie is A League of Their Own.”

Q: Can you share a memorable teaching moment or experience that had a significant impact on you or your students?

“My favorite experiences have been taking students outside of the classroom and giving them hands-on photography and design experiences on field trips. Every year, I bring my classes to the Botanic Gardens to photograph and create designs based on what they’ve seen. I’ve also taken two groups of photography students abroad. In the first group, we went to Ireland and England. My second group went to Iceland. Taking students out of the traditional school environment and having them apply the knowledge they’ve been learning throughout the year is always amazing to see!”