Robert Anderson
Bio
I am a Dad to a lil 4 month old, Ezra Rose. I graduated from Hinsdale South High School in 2005. In my free time I volunteer my time as a member of the 501st Midwest Garrison, a Star Wars based volunteer group where we build movie quality replicas of the costumes and characters of Star Wars and help a variety of charity organizations like Make a Wish and Lurie's Childrens Hospital.
I have been a teacher at Back of the Yards College Prep since 2013. I strongly believe in the power of community building. Specifically in the Girls' Volleyball Program and in the CP Digital Media Program, I have worked very intentionally to create spaces that foster positivity and belonging to a larger collective. This passion for "team" and belonging has lead me to pursuing my master's degree in Sports & Exercise Psychology and becoming a Certified Mental Performance Coach.
My path to art education was inspired by first career, coaching volleyball. Immediately after graduating high school, I was hired by my high school coach and mentor as the Freshmen Volleyball coach in the fall of 2005. That opportunity gave a purpose and destination my education at UIC. In 2013 I was lucky to be granted the opportunity to build the BOYCP Girls Volleyball Program from the ground up. With the hard work and dedication of our athletes and coaching staff, we have created a sincerely special program with a legacy of athletes and alumni who feel truly connected to something larger than themselves. In the last two years we have had two athletes, Kiley Shew - Class of 2021 and Alondra Arredondo - Class of 2022, continuing their athletic careers playing Division 3 NCAA volleyball.
Follow Fine Arts on Instagram @boycp-finearts!
Follow Girls Volleyball on Instagram @boycpgvball!
Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my page and each class that your student is in for email updates!
Expertise
I teach Digital Photography and Graphic Design. While working through undergrad at UIC I worked for 10 years at a Photography Studio working events and portraits throughout the city. Much of the content and skills I embed into my classroom are from my years working in a professional setting.
I started my teaching career at Infinity Math, Science & Technology High School in Little Village where I student taught under, Fine Arts Dept. Chair, Madilyn Strentz. I was then hired at IMSTHS by Dr. Brekke and was part of the staff that opened BOYCP in 2013.
My teaching philosophy revolves around problem solving, new experiences and risk taking. The classroom environment is modeled after collaborative creative spaces more than a traditional classroom. Our goal in room 325 is to use our skills collectively in photography and graphic design to create exploratory designers willing to take on any challenge presented to them.
IB Digital Media Career Program-
At Back of the Yards College Prep we have a robust lineup of IB Career Programs, CP Broadcast, CP Digital Media, and CP Engineering. Our Digital Media Program aims to bring the technical and soft skills needed for students interested in future career paths in graphic design, photography, advertising and marketing. Students learn while working as an in-house creative agency for the school. Our CP Digital Media students photograph our school functions and sporting events, use our lighting studio to take professional portraits for students and stuff, create tshirt and flyer designs for sports teams and clubs, and work with administration to create student made advertisements for school enrollment and open houses. Over the two years of the program students get certified in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator and leave their high school experience with a printed portfolio and a website they create for job applications, scholarships and art school acceptance interviews.
Education
BFA, 2011, Art Education with concentration in Digital Media, UIC, Chicago;
Currently pursuing a M.Kinesiology, Sports & Exercise Psychology and Certified Mental Performance Coach, expected graduation 2025
CURRENTLY TEACHING
- CP/CTE Digital Media
- Photography 1
EXTRA-CURRICULAR
- Girls Volleyball Varsity Head Coach
- Campus photographer
