Upper School art teacher Ms. Kelly Wood is this week’s Teacher of the Week, having just returned this year to the art department after a hiatus from teaching. 

Ms. Kelly Wood started at Saint Stephen’s in 2013 in the art department, and she taught for nine years before heading to Michigan to pursue a career with her library science degree. 

This year, Wood is stationed in the Upper School, and she now teaches a variety of classes, from Art 1 to AP in Ceramics and 2D art. 

In college, Wood had never really imagined herself pursuing a career path in art. She originally went to grad school to study library science; it wasn’t until she practiced glass art at her home in Vermont when she realized how much she loved the subject.  

“I love doing art,” Wood said. “I love teaching art and I think I learn a lot from the kids, even as much as they probably learn from me.”

Her teaching style consists of introducing techniques and demonstrations.

“I think my main teaching style is just to make sure kids have the tools they need,” Wood said. “I sort of meet them where they are and then help them move forward.” 

Senior Karli McMahan noted that Wood’s class has the right dose of both interactive and independent work. Every Friday her class does a Class Critique where the students go around the room to examine each other’s art and offers suggestions. 

MacMahan also explained how Wood gives the students time to work independently and figure things out themselves, with Wood as a helpful guide for when they get stuck. 

“She gives full autonomy to the students, but you still have her as a resource,” McMahan added.