Granby Living June 2020

GL
TEACHER APPRECIATION
Art teacher enjoys
problem-solving with students
HOLLIE HECHT
Art Educator, Grades 9-12
Fine Arts CAS (Content Area Specialist)
Granby Memorial High School
By Bruce Deckert
Photos by Meg Pascucci
Grades and subjects that you teach — Grades 9-12 Art • Primarily 3D
classes, but also Contemporary Crafts/Makers and Materials • I also coteach
the Chemistry of Art with my science colleague, Jacky Paton.
Began teaching — 1994 in Farmington, CT
Began teaching in Granby — 1995
Career history — I graduated from Kenyon College in Ohio with a B.A.
in Studio Art. Came to Connecticut to work a summer job at YMCA
Camp Jewell. Moved to Germany for a year and then returned to CT in
1985. Managed an art gallery and custom frame shop in Southington, CT
for five years while working on my teaching certification at CCSU. I got
my first teaching job in 1994. In 2000 I earned my M.S. in education with
a concentration in ceramics from CCSU.
Born and raised in — Ohio
What motivated you to pursue a teaching career?
I was getting bored at work and wanted to take some classes.
The most rewarding aspect of your work as a teacher?
Getting to know students and helping them develop individual abilities.
Also, I really enjoy how my students force me to think on my feet when I
need to help them solve problems.
What do you enjoy most about working with young people?
They are young — and they can be really funny.
What is the biggest impediment to student success today?
Social distraction.
How can teachers help students overcome this obstacle and succeed?
Help students to discover their capabilities, to value themselves and to
balance their reliance on technology with practical skills and common
sense, and to recognize the potential and creativity that they most likely
possess.
A brief anecdote that gives a glimpse of your work in education:
Teachers often develop relationships with students based on the love of
their content area and wanting to share that with others. I like the fact
that former students will often reflect on what a safe haven the art room
was and how much they miss “that class” — and the efforts they take to
keep their creative outlet going after GMHS.
Family — My husband is a middle school science teacher in
Wethersfield.
8 | JUNE MARCH 2020 2020