Soto's path from army specialist to art teacher

Working as a substitute art teacher four years ago, Dorian Soto realized during a moment of inspiration at 2 a.m. she loved it so much that it might be time to apply to Purdue University Fort Wayne to get an education degree.

“I just fell in love with teaching and getting to know the kids,” Soto said. “On a whim, I was like, `What if I just applied to PFW? What if I just did it?’”

Except, because of her own doubts, Soto never expected to hear anything back. Her life had never been that easy.

A couple of months later, she received an acceptance email and started crying in joy, becoming so emotional that a couple of teachers near the classroom felt compelled to check on her well-being.

That whim changed Soto’s life, but there’s so much more to her story. As one of four children raised by a single mom, the family frequently moved across the state before settling in Muncie. Brilliant academically though rebellious, Soto enlisted at age 17 in the U.S. Army National Guard in 2010, serving six years as a chemical, biological, and radiological nuclear specialist.

After rocking a mohawk for two years in high school, Soto bought the first of her 25-plus tattoos at 18, followed by numerous piercings.

“I always say that your body shows the bulk of your life, like illustrating the pages,” Soto said.

The pages of her story are everywhere, including her face, showing what has happened in the past, though not who she is now. Soto’s body art has a unique, positive influence.

Now a junior, in addition to continually helping younger PFW classmates, Soto also teaches art to individuals, and for the last three years, to elementary and middle school students in the College of Visual and Performing Arts’ Community Arts Academy. Molly Papier, CAA director, said Soto’s enthusiasm draws everyone into what she teaches, engages the students’ families, and promotes further outreach.

“As a student, she has always had very creative ideas and is beginning to develop the advanced skill sets needed to fully execute some of those ideas,” said John Motz, senior lecturer in the Department of Art and Design. “I have found her very enjoyable to have in class and to teach because she is always eager to learn. She always has displayed a positive attitude to each and every challenge she is presented. Dorian seems to be a natural-born teacher.”

With a 3.89 grade point average and Honors Program membership, Soto’s ultimate goal is to become a college professor, though it may be difficult to leave her younger artists behind. 

“My favorite part of teaching is that moment when kids’ faces light up when they get it,” Soto said, “like when they get the concept or they look at a piece of their artwork and just love it. You can just see that unadulterated joy of children.”

That joy helps Soto overcome some of her past, including permanent injuries suffered during her military service, abusive relationships, and learning to deal with PTSD and ADHD. The body art helped save her life, Soto said, leaning into it to complement therapy. It’s part of who she is, but not all.

Adept at painting, drawing, and photography, Soto’s art is beautiful and graceful and continually improving. She’s always challenging herself to find new ways of expression.