Interview with Kelly Williams
March marks the celebration of both Youth Arts Month and Women's History Month. In this feature, Nash County Public Schools (NCPS) interviews Mrs. Kelly Williams, a high school art teacher at Southern Nash High School, to delve into her educational contributions and insights on teaching. Learn more about her and her contributions to education.
What made you want to become a teacher?
"I enjoyed my school experience throughout my childhood. I have always appreciated the value of education and found inspiration in many teachers during my academic journey; this was my driving force. Art captured my interest from a very young age, and I consistently nurtured and developed that passion as I continued to grow.
Mrs. Williams says, "My high school band director was probably most influential in my becoming a teacher. Through the marching band program, I could practice in a leadership role. I enjoyed learning and teaching others skills for our performances. The director's passion for music and the energy he put into creating meaningful experiences for his students was also inspiring. My passion for visual arts developed as a small child and grew through my involvement in public school art classes. I decided to combine the enjoyment I experienced in my high school leadership roles with my passion for visual arts by becoming a visual arts teacher."
How do you encourage young artists to express themselves creatively in the classroom?
"I generally give some specific guidelines for each project that I do. I allow students some room for their freedom of choice and ideas, whether with the medium they use or the subject matter. Students seem to work harder and be more engaged when they are interested in what they are doing and if they can connect in some way. I usually just encourage them to make the work more personal so they can be more involved in the creative process. I get them to think of things they are interested in or of interest to family and friends. Sometimes, they will want to make things for other people."
How do you promote a sense of empowerment and confidence among young female artists in your classroom?
"I have tried to encourage many young female artists to apply their talents in everyday life, often encouraging them to enter the workforce and advertise or sell their work as a job. Recently, I have been working with a student who is exceptionally skilled at creating jewelry. I am encouraging her to build advertisements for the jewelry she creates. I share stories about local jewelers who have achieved success."
Mrs. Williams then says, "Through our club, many art students have had the opportunity to teach their skills to others. Sometimes, we organize a vendor fair where they can sell their creations. Some have also had the chance to practice their skills and leadership. We collaborated with the teacher at Bailey Elementary, and I've had many girls who participated in an informal internship there. Some of them have become art teachers due to that experience."
How do you stay inspired and continue to grow as an artist and educator?
"My students primarily keep me inspired. So many ideas float through the room all day long, and I enjoy their willingness to try new things and their creativity as young people. Witnessing their growth is something I truly relish. Additionally, I spend time exploring and researching topics I can share with them, which keeps me engaged in introducing new ideas. Recently, I have been focusing on teaching my students more about digital drawing, as many show interest. Otherwise, I get most of my practice through helping the students. I engage in pottery, painting, and drawing while assisting students throughout the day."
Are there any community outreach or collaborative art projects you've been involved in that you're particularly proud of?
"The most recent community outreach project we undertook was the hay bale painting at Dean's Farm this past fall. It was a contest for our arts honor society group, and we painted a hay bale that won the People's Choice Award. Over the years, we have worked on many projects for the school and the community. The projects vary depending on the community's needs."