BDS English teacher, Erik Schleicher sits down for a talk with student Amir Ralph about life at BDS. (This pic was not altered in any way!)

What made you transfer from Digital Harbor to Baltimore Design School?

Well, I feel that my own educational philosophy lines up well with the philosophy of BDS, and I love the fact that this is a smaller school, so I’m able to make more personal connections and relationships with more students, rather than just a few.

What do you like most about teaching at BDS?

I think what I love most about it is being surrounded by so many creative and talented people. Every day, it amazes me with the level of ingenuity and creativity that people have, which I didn’t get to see a lot of before I came here.

If you were a student at BDS, what design track would you choose?

Definitely architecture, without a doubt. My lack of actual drawing talent, paired with my need for everything to be precise would probably land me smack dab into architecture.

What personal insight into teaching or learning would you give someone?

I think that learning should be fun, because if someone loves learning, student or teacher, teen or adult, they’ll never stop. I also believe that it’s good and sometimes necessary to put fun first.

What do you hope to achieve by the time you leave BDS?

I hope to have enough money to retire (we hope this means he’ll be here for a while).

What is one thing you wish that your students knew about you?

I think that I speak for all teachers when I say that when students think they’re getting away with stuff, they’re actually not. We see and know all. If we don’t say anything, it’s because we’re allowing it to happen that one time.

Teacher Spotlight by: Amir Ralph ’20