MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Karla Gabriela De La Fuente
Ida Diaz Junior High
How did you get into teaching?  
I began teaching about 10 years ago in the 
English Language Arts department, where 
I prioritized culturally relevant literature that 
allowed students to see themselves and 
make meaningful personal connections. That 
experience shaped my belief in the power of 
storytelling and representation in education. 
As an artist, I naturally extend this approach 
into my classroom by integrating culture and 
history into creative expression. Over the years 
my work as an art educator has become both 
my profession and a platform to advocate for 
inclusive meaningful learning through the arts.
What do you love most about teaching art? 
What I love most about teaching art is witnessing 
students’ skills develop over the course of the 
school year and providing a space where they can 
express themselves freely. I have seen countless 
students grow in confidence and technique, and 
I find it equally rewarding to refine my own skills 
alongside theirs. There is nothing more fulfilling 
than watching a student’s rendering and creative 
abilities improve while sharing their artistic 
journey.
What is your favorite medium to work with?
My primary materials are paper, wood, and 
found objects- mediums that allow me to 
explore both structure and transformation. In my 
studio practice I experiment with papermaking 
techniques and the integration of organic and 
inorganic elements embedding a sense of time 
and space into each piece. I am especially drawn 
to the malleability of paper and wood, as well as 
the endless potential of found objects to carry 
history, memory and meaning.   My work began 
primarily as two dimensional paper collage, 
but over the past decade it has evolved to 
incorporate wooden sculptural elements through 
frame and fully three dimensional forms. By 
integrating found objects I engage with concepts 
of Rasquachismo defined by Thomas Ybarra 
Frausto, embracing resourcefulness, cultural 
identity, and the transformation of everyday 
materials into art.
Something others may not know about you?
Something others may not know about me is 
my passion for different languages- particularly 
exploring the origins of words, their meanings 
and how those meanings change, or remain the 
same over time.
What does it mean to be a TAEA member?
Being a member of TAEA means being part 
of an incredible network brought together by 
a shared mission: to serve future generations 
through expression, creativity, safe learning 
environments, and a sense of belonging. I 
have contributed to this mission by advocating 
for stronger support and representation for art 
education within my community. 
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