The Farmer's Daughter Who Chose Art History

Sasha grew up in a family with deep farming roots. She discovered a love of art history, chose museum studies as her field, and built a future around the work that inspired her. That decision impressed me from the beginning. It reflected confidence, conviction, and a willingness to trust her own interests. Sasha brought that same spirit into the classroom. She spoke up, told stories, asked thoughtful questions, and enriched our conversations with her curiosity and insight. Her enthusiasm for art history made our class a livelier and more rewarding place to learn. Students like Sasha remind me that education helps people discover the work that gives them purpose. Every student deserves the opportunity to develop talents, pursue genuine interests, and contribute something distinctive to the world. Thank you, Sasha, for showing me what quiet confidence and intellectual courage look like. I hope your love of art continues to enrich museums, visitors, and everyone fortunate enough to learn from you. This video is part of my year-long project to tell one story about a former student every day during my final year before retiring from UC Davis after more than three decades of teaching. Through these stories, I hope to celebrate the remarkable people I’ve had the privilege to teach and the many lessons they have taught me. #TeachersOfYouTube #Education #HigherEducation #CollegeTeaching #UCDavis #ArtHistory #MuseumStudies #StudentStories #FollowYourPassion #LifelongLearning #Mentorship #Curiosity #365Stories #RetirementProject #DrAndyJones