Through her lens: Photo teacher inspires students
By ALAYAH DUENES
The Tower
Inside the photography class at Manteca High teacher Carol Creighton, a camera is never far. But best of all, you will find a kind, loving, sweet and inspiring teacher nearby.
Someone who will never judge you and always be willing to help you in not just photography but any situation possible.
Her classroom is filled with pictures, Buffalo pride, and her love for photography. What is more, her classroom is a place where students will always feel safe and loved.
Creighton is more than teacher – she is a mom to most students on campus. Someone who never gives up. Even with the amount of stress she has, you will always see a beautiful bright smile on her face.
“Ms. Creighton has the hugest heart of anybody that I know on this campus,” said colleague and longtime friend Linda Sumrall. “She will bend over backwards to help her students and other staff members. At the personal sacrifice to herself. She gives a hundred percent all the time and she's always here for everybody.”
Creighton’s journey to Manteca was marked by dedication and perseverance, as she invested over one thousand hours to make the move possible. A friend suggested she apply, and she had to provide proof of her photography skills. While balancing her teaching career, she also attended San Joaquin College.
Throughout her teaching career, Creighton found immense joy in seeing her students proudly display their work both in and out of the classroom.
She appreciated it when they took the class seriously and was deeply fulfilled by witnessing their personal growth and self-improvement.
“I love it when a student gets excited about showing me something that they have taken a picture of --- whether it's been during class or outside of class,” says Creighton. “Times outside of class ones are even better because that shows me that they’re trying things outside of class --- whether they are with their phone or their own camera.” “They have a picture that they really want to share with me, and that just makes me light up.”
The Tower caught up with photography teacher Carol Creighton to chat about her passion and career as a photography teacher at Manteca High School.
The Tower: How did you find the passion to become a photography teacher here on campus?
Carol Creighton: I have always wanted to teach. I decided in sixth grade that teaching was what I wanted to do, but it was put on hold when I got married, had kids, and worked to support my family. I did not go back to school to get my bachelor’s degree until I was 40. At first, I thought I was going to go into business, as I have a business degree. But my passion for photography started in sixth grade when I got my first camera for Christmas. Over the years, it grew from taking pictures of my kids to being asked to photograph my best friend's second wedding. From there, I started doing weddings, family portraits, and senior photos for friends and kids I knew. Before I became a teacher, I applied for a health careers position at Lathrop High, helping Mrs. Behler, who teaches here. I interviewed, but they chose someone else. I thought that was the end of it. Then, a photography position opened unexpectedly when the teacher hired weeks before school resigned. A friend suggested I apply, even though I did not have formal teaching experience. I had over 1,000 hours (about 1 and a half months) of photography experience, though, so I showed my credentials. I was hired and had to continue school while teaching, so I interned for the first two years while attending night classes at San Joaquin Teacher’s College. It has been great teaching at Manteca High, especially since all three of my kids graduated from here.
TT: What is the one thing that made you realize your love for photography?
CC: Oh, that is hard to say. I have always loved taking pictures. I got my first camera at 11 or 12, and I just went crazy with it. I still have photo albums from back then, even ones from high school where I used that Kodak Electro 35. I was always taking pictures—at swim meets, sleepovers, field trips, and school events. Everyone has a camera on their phone now, but I always had my own camera with me. My parents saw how much I loved it and even had me reorganize all their old photo albums. When I graduated high school, they bought me a nicer camera. I have had my own camera since I was 12.
TT: Can you share a memorable experience you have had while shooting?
CC: There have been so many weddings, but one that stands out was photographing my best friend's daughter’s wedding. She is like a niece to me, and it was such a perfect day. My daughter was my assistant, and I just remember having trouble keeping the camera still because I was crying during the father-daughter dance. When he handed her off to her stepdad, who has a great relationship with her, it was such an emotional moment. That was one of my most memorable experiences.
TT: Do you enjoy the moments you have when teaching photography?
CC: Most of the time, yes! I love it when a student shows me a picture they have taken, whether it is in class or outside of class. I especially love it when they go out of their way to take pictures on their own time, with their phones or their own cameras, and then share them with me. That excitement is what makes me love teaching.
TT If you could give a word of wisdom to a beginner photographer, what would it be?
CC: Learn everything your camera can do.
TT: What is the hardest part of being a photography teacher?
CC: The hardest part is when students are not taking the class because they are interested in learning photography—they are just filling a seat. It is frustrating when students think it is about taking pictures with a camera and do not take the work seriously. My favorite part is when students really want to learn and take the class seriously.