Cindy Borgmann reflects on 40-plus years of teaching at Herron

After over four decades of teaching, Dr. Cindy Bixler Borgmann retired this spring.

This year marks Borgmann's 41st year at Herron School of Art and Design. She has been constant throughout the history of our art education program and trained generations of students to teach visual arts in every kind of school – in the urban, rural, suburban, private, and public spheres.

"In her passionate work in the field, she has developed one of the most dynamic programs in the state, creating a vast network of arts educators across our community," said Jeanne Nemeth, her colleague of 11 years. "She has been a tireless and visionary leader, encouraging and guiding students, instilling them with the confidence and conviction that art can make a difference in the lives of young people."

We asked Borgmann to reflect on her many years of service — and share how she plans to spend her time after teaching.

HERRON: What would you like to share about your teaching career?

BORGMANN: Herron has always been a mecca for creative activity. This career of 40 years has been a terrific one. I loved coming to work every day. In what kind of world do you get paid for creative play and working with your hands? I had the privilege of sharing my time with students and such talented peers in my program and at Herron and the IU School of Education at IUPUI. And I've had the opportunity to work with incredible teachers in this field.

HERRON: What changes have you seen within the program?

BORGMANN: When I started teaching at Herron, it was unheard of to send students into the field until their final semester. Early on, I was fortunate to find a kindred spirit, Carol Wessel, the Washington Township art supervisor, and a crew of incredible art teachers who opened their art classrooms to my students for their practicum experience.

Today, thanks to my colleague, Jeanne Nemeth, all of the K-12 schools in Washington Township are participating in the reciprocal programming with Herron throughout the year. It has been a rich learning environment for all involved.

HERRON: What makes teaching so rewarding?

BORGMANN: It's the students. It's always the students. Teaching is a career of service. And nothing is more challenging or worthy than service to youth. I can't think of a better way to spend a life.

Teachers are heroes, I think. Out in the trenches, constantly working in the service of our youth. Public school teaching has changed. Teacher demands have become more complex and time consuming – yet our teachers continue to create ways to embrace complexity.

HERRON: What changes have you witnessed at Herron?

BORGMANN: It has been so interesting to see the changes that have taken place over the years and to work with the talented youth who come through Herron's doors. And Herron's doors have changed. I moved from teaching in a dilapidated house, to a plate-glass storefront, to a state-of-the-art facility that is the envy of colleagues at IUPUI.

HERRON: You have investigated the need to include "play" and experimentation in public school curricula. What are the positive benefits?

BORGMANN: Play is undervalued. It is not just the work of children; it is a necessary function of the creative spirit. It's the backbone of the work of art educators. The art classroom is a place where children have the freedom to take risks and figure things out on their own. I wish all schools could recognize what a rich commodity they have in the arts.

HERRON: Who has been your greatest influence?

BORGMANN: My mother was incredible and so talented. In high school, she received a scholarship to attend Herron's Saturday School, but could not afford the transportation costs. Years later, I attended. Growing up, I was blessed with a family that was all about building loving, creative environments. My siblings and I all ended up in the arts. We took play seriously. And the arts always factored into it.

HERRON: What makes you happiest?

BORGMANN: The accomplishments of my students. So many talented young teachers have done amazing work, and are still doing so every day. Their impact is statewide.

HERRON: What are you most looking forward to in retirement?

BORGMANN: I hope to find ways to support our alumni teachers and their work. I also look forward to creating, writing, and enjoying life with loved ones in blocks of time.

HERRON: Do you have any words of wisdom that you want to share with students of art education?

BORGMANN: Love what you do. A love of youth and the arts is a win-win mix.