Sitting in classrooms are students who have learned from and formed connections with teachers. Textbook knowledge is a valuable resource for students to gain the information that they need to help them in the classroom and in the future. However, this knowledge is simply words on paper for some individuals. They need a human connection to help them grasp new content and thrive. Teachers are more than a resource to guide students; they are role models and friends that students rely on. This became evident after high school art teacher, Ms. Kaylee Haggerty, announced her resignation from Freedom.
In high school, Haggerty exhibited a passion for art. She later went on to study graphic design, where she found her interest in teaching art as a career. Fourteen years ago, she joined the district and has been teaching art since. She has taught a wide variety of art classes, including the ninth grade rotation of High School Exploration, Fundamentals of Art, Advanced Art and Ceramics. In addition to these various classes, Haggerty also sponsored and ran the school’s Art Club. Within all of these educational instances, she provided students with lessons of different art techniques and provided them with projects to allow them to express themselves. Her teaching touched the minds and hearts of many students, and left a lasting impression on their lives and education.
“Mrs. Haggerty’s calmness, comprehensible teaching, and fun demeanor has always made her a favorite teacher of mine throughout high school,” Harmony Martin (12) said. “She also made her class a great decompression from the school day. I will miss her deeply as my teacher in ceramics and Art Club.”
Haggerty’s career will take a new path as she begins her career within Commonwealth Charter Academy. This school is a virtual option for students, and it poses new challenges and opportunities for her. There, she will teach art classes and art history online. Through teaching virtually, she will be able to explore a new way of teaching art and have several opportunities to teach remotely.
As Haggerty transitions into this new chapter of her life, she hopes her students realize that art can be something that you may not have a born talent in, but it is something that you can do to help with mental health or relaxation, and it is something creative and fun that you can do. Her teachings and classes affected students in grades nine through 12, and will continue to even after her departure from the district.
“I had a really good time at Freedom. It was a really hard decision for me to leave because I really really do enjoy it here,” Haggerty said. “I am going to miss the in-person setting and I’ll miss a lot of the students here.”
In the coming days and months, her students and club members will continue to adjust to a new teacher and teaching style. As of Nov. 7, the school board approved the transfer of middle school art teacher, Mr. Jim Gregg, to the high school art position. Gregg will continue to teach Haggerty’s classes and provide students with the art education they wish for.