17 AUGUST 2023

It is a very exciting year at Saint Joseph Catholic School as we will have a real artist come and teach art to our students.  This is a first for us!  Welcome Hillary King, who is volunteering her time with our students.  We asked her to tell us a little about herself.

1. Can you tell us about yourself? Where did you grow up? Where did you go to school? 

 I grew up here in Ellinwood, went to school at St. Joseph’s, EGS, and EHS. I graduated from Kansas State University, then settled in Great Bend.

2. Can you tell us about your family?

My husband Ted and I married in 2003 at St. Joseph’s. We have 4 children; Reese 16, Teah 14, Troy 11, and Sean 9. My daughters attend GBHS and my sons are at Holy Family School. My mother attended Saint Joseph’s and my father was the girls basketball coach back in the 90s.

3. How did you discover your love of art, your talent for it?

It all started at home at a young age. I would draw at the kitchen table while my mom would be decorating cakes. I would constantly ask my mom to draw (something) for me, and after a while, she would say, you need to do it yourself, you can do it. (She more than likely needed to get a cake finished.) Now, when I would ask my dad to help me draw, he would show me the more technical side of drawing with rulers and measurements. Having my parents’ creativity instilled in me at such a young age grew my love for art. I owe them everything.

4. How long have you been teaching art? Where?

I started teaching elementary art for Great Bend USD 428 in 2005. I did this for 4 years and became a stay at home mom when my 2nd child was born. When my oldest began Pre-K at Holy Family in Great Bend, I was invited to teach art while my daughter began preschool. I loved being able to teach at the same school my children attended. This year I will be teaching art at Central Kansas Christian Academy in Great Bend and at St. Joseph’s in Ellinwood.

5. What do you enjoy most about teaching art and working with young people?

 I teach art as a foundational subject. It’s not just teaching students to make artwork, but holding a pencil correctly, using measurements on a ruler, and taking care of tools. One of my favorite lessons covers perspective in landscapes. Once students understand the technicalities of perspective, they rarely fall back on their preconceived notions of landscapes in art. I can almost see it in their eyes the moment they understand. That makes all the work I put into teaching worth it.

6. Why have you chosen to teach art at Saint Joseph’s Catholic School?

One aspect of the Catholic faith is stewardship. I wanted to help Saint Joseph’s in an area of need that I can contribute.

7. Any hopes or plans as you begin this new adventure with us?

 I want students to know that I am excited to help them along their art journey. The students will be shocked at how much improvement they will see in their artwork.

 Emily and her family outside San José Mission, San Antonio, TX