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Design. Imagine. Illustrate. Create.
FROM STUDIO to CLASSROOM
Artist • Educator • Mentor
Maria Cook
Interactive Media Instructor
While students develop technical proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud, they are also encouraged to think like artists, designers, and storytellers. Many projects include written narratives, character development, or publication design because meaningful work begins with meaningful ideas. By combining visual communication with creative writing and design thinking, students create projects that are both technically strong and personally authentic.
Meet the Instructor
Maria Cook is the Interactive Media instructor for Wicomico County Public Schools' Career and Technology Education (CTE) program, where she teaches six levels of interactive media and prepares students for college, careers, and creative industries. Her courses introduce students to industry-standard software and a wide range of disciplines, including graphic design, digital illustration, animation, video editing, multimedia production, and voiceover.
Mrs. Cook holds an Associate of Arts degree in Commercial Art from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Art from Salisbury University, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
Before entering education, she worked as a freelance commercial artist and illustrator and as a magazine layout artist, experiences that continue to shape her practical, real-world approach to teaching. She began teaching art at James M. Bennett High School in 2001 and has served Wicomico County students for more than 25 years.
From 2004 to 2011, Mrs. Cook founded, published, and designed Delmarva Youth & Family, a regional magazine dedicated to celebrating the achievements of local youth while connecting families with educational resources, community events, and parenting information. As publisher, she managed every aspect of the publication, including graphic design, layout, marketing, advertising, and production.
Today, she is passionate about helping students discover their creativity while developing the technical and professional skills needed for success. Interactive Media students build portfolios, participate in community art shows, complete real-world design projects, and gain experience marketing and presenting their work. Whether they continue into college, vocational training, or the workforce, students leave the program with confidence, creativity, and a strong foundation for future success.Throughout the program, students complete authentic design projects that mirror professional creative work while building portfolios that showcase their growth and accomplishments. She believes that every student has creative potential and enjoys helping young artists build the confidence to explore, create, and solve problems through design.
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