At Hoover High School, there’s a very talented art teacher named Taiz Carnewal, whose passion for art began at an early age.

“From as far back as I can remember—around age five—I’ve been interested in creating and drawing,” she said.

Carnewal attended Cal State University, Los Angeles, where she earned her B.A. in Design with a focus in Illustration. She later received her M.A. in Education from the University of Phoenix. Before becoming a teacher, she worked at several well-known art institutions, including MOCA, The Geffen, and The Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles. Her time there deepened her appreciation for sharing creativity with others.

“I really liked working with different artists,” she said. “Everyone has unique ideas, and it’s fascinating to see those ideas come to life through art. Some of my favorite projects have been working with Self-Help Graphics, a print studio in East L.A.; the electrical box project on Sunset Junction—which later inspired similar box paintings throughout Glendale and nearby areas; and creating art for Glendale Adventist Medical Center.”

After years in the art world, Carnewal decided to pursue teaching so she could share her creativity and passion with students. She has been teaching for more than 15 years at various schools, including Anderson W. Clark Magnet High School and Glendale High School, but says Hoover High has been her favorite so far.

“I really enjoy the students here,” she said. “They’re receptive to new ideas, super positive, and very creative.”