Students in the newspaper after-school activity interviewed Ms. Aimee Orkin ahead of her retirement for The Academy Chronicle. Read the Q&A here!

How long have you been working at our school?

I have worked at the Minneapolis Jewish Day School, Heilicher Minneapolis Jewish Day School, and now Smith Jewish Academy for 32 years. It is half my life! Do the math!

What was it like to teach your own kids?

For the most part it was fantastic. I was worried I may intimidate them so I had to be very kind and positive. The first day of my oldest daughter's art class in kindergarten I had to give her a time-out for drawing on another boy's face with marker. It was Rabbi Carrier's son! She burst into tears and asked me after school if I could be her mommy again!

What is your favorite kind of art?

I love mural art and painting. I also love sculpture and set design for theater.

What are you most proud of from your time here?

I'm proud to have inspired a lot of students, parents, and staff to make art. They have also come to appreciate, understand, and talk about art without being intimidated by it.

How long have you been an art teacher?

Only since I started at the Jewish Day School in 1994-95.

What are you going to miss the most?

The joy of getting to know and sharing art making with these beautiful kids!

What are you going to do with your time after Smith?

I have many things I want to do. I want to make more art, exhibit, and sell some. I want to do workshops in small groups, birthday parties, and art parties. I might make some more murals. I want to do some spiritual healing art with kids and adults going through illness and hard times. I also want to dejunk and remodel my home and travel and play with friends and have fun!

Thank you for caring to ask me about my memories and plans! I hope to see as many of you as possible. I will be a substitute teacher and support the next art teacher as much as she needs or wants it. I'll be around ...