For Greg Scranton, teaching photography and digital arts at KO is much more than a job—it’s a collaborative journey of discovery. His classroom is a vibrant intersection of technology, creativity, and problem-solving, where every student is encouraged to find their own artistic voice.

Scranton describes his teaching philosophy as “hands-on, one-on-one engagement with students to really personalize their learning.” His approach blends the Socratic method—asking thoughtful, guiding questions—with practical application. Whether students are working with a paintbrush or a camera, he believes learning happens most meaningfully through doing, not simply watching.“I try not to do it for them,” he explains. “I might demonstrate and then have them do it. That’s where real understanding happens.”

In Scranton’s classes, no two learners are alike—and that’s exactly how he likes it. He personalizes instruction for each student, recognizing that every young artist brings unique strengths and challenges. For those who advance quickly, he offers deeper learning opportunities: advanced techniques, tutorials, and independent projects that stretch their creativity. When students struggle, Scranton provides patient, individualized support. His goal is always to help them find confidence.

Scranton knows that enthusiasm is contagious. “Student engagement is paramount,” he emphasizes. “If I show enthusiasm for the subject matter, it gives them intrigue—‘Why is he so excited about this?’” For students who take his class to fulfill a requirement rather than a passion, he finds ways to connect the art to their interests, often through digital media. “Some students don’t want to deal with paint or charcoal,” he laughs, “so I show them what they can do with digital technologies that they couldn’t do otherwise.”

Scranton believes that everyone has creative potential. “Anybody can be an artist, and everyone is an artist in their own way,” he says. His own journey reflects that idea. Although he didn’t initially love art in high school, discovering digital media in college unlocked his creativity and set him on the path to teaching. He still remembers his first teaching experience as a graduate assistant: “I pretty much immediately fell in love with it. Seeing students create amazing images and videos—it was really rewarding.”

Creativity, for Scranton, is inseparable from problem-solving. Whether students are figuring out how to represent a 3D object on a 2D surface or balancing light in a photo, they’re constantly practicing critical thinking. “Problem-solving is key,” he says. “We ask questions like, ‘What makes something look three-dimensional?’ and then experiment until we find the answer.”

Scranton credits his students for making him a lifelong learner. “Working with students is incredibly valuable – their energy and curiosity,” he said. “I’m a lifelong learner because students ask questions that I don’t always have the answers to, and we figure it out together.” Additionally, given the nature of digital arts, teaching it means constantly evolving. “In my field, if you’re not evolving, you’re obsolete,” Scranton says with a smile. From traditional video editing to AI-assisted design, he keeps up with the latest tools through sources like Wired and Adobe’s educational channels. “Some teachers might find that exhausting,” he admits, “but I love that I’m always learning new things.”

Ultimately, Scranton wants students to leave his class with both technical skills and a lifelong appreciation for creativity. “Maybe they go out into the world and see a great design or a painting and think, ‘I wonder how they made that,’” he says. “That’s when I know I’ve done my job.” He recalls one former student who used video editing skills from class while working at a law firm. “He told me he was making videos for a case because nobody else could,” Scranton shares proudly. “That’s what’s so exciting—these tools apply everywhere.”

One of Scranton’s favorite assignments is inspired by photographer Cindy Sherman, where students create “cinematic moments” through photography. “The results are incredible,” he says. “They range from horror-inspired shots to beautiful, quiet scenes like snow under a streetlight. It’s amazing to see how students interpret the same idea so differently.”

Above all, Scranton credits his colleagues at KO—Katie Burnett, Scott McDonald, and Katherine Nicholson for creating a supportive, collaborative environment. “Between the four of us, we cover all the bases,” he says. “Working with them makes coming to work so much easier—and a lot more fun.”

Greg Scranton’s classroom is more than a place to learn photography or digital art; it’s a workshop for creativity, curiosity, and lifelong learning. Through his enthusiasm, adaptability, and student-centered approach, he helps every learner discover that art isn’t just a subject—it’s a way of seeing the world.

Greg Scranton

Oberlin College, B.A.

University of Minnesota, M.F.A.