The Dallastown art department is going to look a little different next year. In a rare but not so strange occurrence, three art teachers across the district are retiring.
Mr. Tom Myers (high school), Mrs. Jennifer Bell (intermediate school) and Mrs. Angela Markey (York Township) are saying goodbye to DASD after spending nearly 30 years in the classroom each.
Myers has been a teacher for 31 years, spending 27 of those years here at Dallastown. For nearly three decades, he has taught a variety of different art classes. He has taught art major, graphic design, drawing I, painting I, ceramics, sculpture, Graphic Design I and II, and art fundamentals.
He and Bell have a long history.
“Mr. Myers and I taught together for many years, first at Central York High School and then at Dallastown Area High School,” Bell said. “We all share a passion for art and a love of turning kids into artists!”
Myers said that his favorite part of his job is the creative freedom he has in his classroom.
“The flexibility of teaching and changing projects to give the students the best art experience. I enjoyed working with the National Art Honor Society members to help the school and community with mural paintings, face painting, etc.” Myers said.
However, due to a recent decline in student enrollment, Dallastown has decided that Myers will not need to be replaced next year.
According to high school principal Dr. Misty Wilson, the high school will have approximately 200 fewer students next year with smaller incoming classes. As a result, fewer students will be registering for electives such as art.
This change may not be permanent as future class sizes may increase again, but for now, no new art teacher will directly replace Myers at DHS.
As for Myers’ future plans, he wants to relax while staying active in the local art community.
“I am very excited to move onto the next phase of my life,” Myers said. “I want to travel, teach my paint nights at Creative York and spend time with family.”
Many Dallastown high school students may remember Bell. She held many roles at Dallastown including student, alumni, teacher, department chair, coach, parent, and community member.
She started in the high school before moving to the intermediate school.
“My entire teaching career has been a “work of art”. I love creating art side by side with my students, encouraging students who didn’t think they were artistic, inspiring others to find their artistic voices, providing a warm, safe environment to imagine, to dream, to make messes, and to create,” Bell said.
Bell is also looking forward to a change of pace next year.
“I am moving from a high energy classroom to run my small business, Closever Bell Farm, at a more peaceful pace,” Bell said.
“On our farm we raise dairy goats, chickens, and honeybees and I create artisanal goat milk soaps and botanical candles which satisfy both my artistic and practical sides. Instead of smelling markers and tempera paint, my studio space will be filled with the calming scents of lavender and beeswax,” Bell said.
Her departure from teaching art doesn’t mean an end to her artistry, it just means a change in environment and supplies.
As an elementary teacher for the last 33 years, Markey was the one that introduced most students to art for the first time. Like Bell, Markey has been a Wildcat most of her life.
“I graduated from Dallastown and was an artist on the Beacon staff my senior year. I started at Dallastown immediately after graduating from Millersville University.”
Markey claims that her favorite part of her career is watching her students grow.
“I love that I have my students for a few years and get to see them grow in skills, personality, confidence and creativity,” Markey said.
While she has enjoyed her career, she is looking forward to a more relaxed schedule.
“I plan to travel, spend time with my family, do all the things I never had time for and see what happens next. I am ready for a new adventure,” Markey said.
While it will be sad to see them go, students are grateful for everything they have taught us throughout the years. And the teachers are grateful for their time here as well.
“My teaching career at Dallastown may be a “drawing” to a close but I will always remember my time as a Wildcat with pride,” Bell said.
