Name:
Mrs. Kristine Kelly
SCHOOL:
J. Everett Light Career Center
CLASS:
Visual Design & Advertising
SCHOOL PHONE:
(317) 259-5265 x4045
This is my eighth year as the Visual Design and Advertising Instructor. I have
been with the Washington Township for over 16 years - 13 of those at J.
Everett Light as the township graphic Designer. I enrolled at J. Everett Light
when I was a student at North Central High School back in 1987-88
and took two years of Commercial Art (now know as Visual Design and
Advertising), in the same program I now teach. From there I started
working in the art field until I realized how important college was to the
changing industry. While attending college I continued to work as a designer.
After having two children I wanted a job that allowed me to be home with my
boys so I began freelancing. Once my children started school I was fortunate
to land a position in the school system that they attended. Once I started
working at J. Everett Light I became interested in teaching; as a career-
technical school a typical teaching license is not required. You can not
become an instructor unless you have worked in the field you plan on teaching
in order to serve the students better learning what the industry expects. Once
hired I then began Occupational Specialist licensing - this is a year long
program to teach instructors teaching skills. My first year as a instructor I
received the Outstanding First Year Teacher Award from J. Everett Light Career
Center.
As a career-tech instructor it is very important to me to have my students not
only learn the skills need for this field, but also but these skills to
practice. I do this many ways including working with real clients,
participating in contests, and entering in regional, state and national
competitions. The competitions are through the youth organization SkillsUSA
(formally known as VICA). This organization host many skills and leadership
events. As a student I competed myself and went all the way to nationals so I
understand the benefits as both a competitor and advisor. Because I am so
involved with this group I sit on the state board and also volunteer as a
national judge. My class competes in many events as a part of the curriculum
so all students are required to be members. I have had many regional and state
winners in the past years. I have also had two students run for
state officer and have been elected. In the summer of 2009 I took three first
place state winners to Nationals in Kansas City where one of them won Gold
(First Place). This summer (2011) I had one student go to nationals and she won
the Silver Medal (Second Place). My students really are winners!!!! (See the SkillsUSA page.)
I want my students to see that they can achieve success
through hard work - but also allow them to realize that when you are doing
something you enjoy it really does not seem like all that much work!
