“I’ve always known I was an artist,” Ms. Crystal Tursich said.

As the new Upper School photography teacher, Ms. Tursich enjoys sharing her passion for photography with her students, especially when the excitement about the artwork is mutual.

 Tursich teaches several classes of various skill levels. Having taught at CCAD after getting her Masters degree there,  Tursich has plenty of experience teaching photography to all ages.

Outside of the classroom, Tursich is more than just a photography teacher. She’s worked in portrait studios, photographed weddings for friends, and created original artwork. But she won’t shoot commercially.

“I would rather just shoot for me,” she said.

This out-of-classroom experience helps her to better connect with her students within their classes.

During the first week of classes, Tursich showed her own photographs to her classes- without telling them whose pieces they were. After discussing the composition and technical aspects, she told them that it was her work.

Being able to use her artwork as an example during class helps to keep her knowledge of photography sharp as well as providing personal examples for her students.

What  she loves about teaching at Academy is that her students are willing to engage in class and entertain her ideas.

“I get excited,”  Tursich said, “And then they get excited about it. It’s contagious.”