New Art Teacher Ms. Casie Baker teaches Digital Photography, Painting, and Intro to Art at Milton High School as well as art for sixth graders.

She said that what she most looked forward to as an art teacher is providing a good experience for students.

“Being an art teacher is really fun because you get to see everyone’s creative side,” she said. “I know not every student is really into art, and that’s ok, but I see it as a time that they’re able to be creative and kind of tap into that side of them.”

Ms. Baker said that before taking the job at Milton in August, she had been an art teacher at Southern Columbia High School for 15 years. She said that she graduated from Milton High School in 2001, and then went to Shippensburg University where she earned her bachelor’s. She later earned her master’s at Mansfield University, she added.

When she was a high schooler, art and science were her favorite subjects, she said. She added that if she hadn’t become an art teacher, she would most likely have pursued a science related career.

According to Ms. Baker, she applied at Milton because it is her hometown, and she wanted to be closer to her daughters, who attend school here. She said that one of the challenges that she faced was not knowing who all of her students were this year.

Ms. Baker said that she enjoys working in all mediums when it comes to art, but likes painting the most. Her favorite artists are Vincent van Gogh, a Dutch post-impressionist painter, and Keith Haring, who is mostly known for his pop art, she added.

Some of her favorite things about being an art teacher is that she is able to see students’ work improve over time and getting to know them individually, said Ms. Baker. She added that one of her least favorite things about being an art teacher is that she is not able to spend more time with her students.

Ms. Baker said that her experience at Milton has been a positive one so far. “I’m having a lot of fun getting to know all of the students because they’re all new to me,” she added. “I didn’t really know any of the students, so it’s been fun getting to know them and kind of see what their talents are and what they’re interested in.”

Art Teacher Ms. Lauren Richie said she has known Ms. Baker for 15 years. “The best thing is working with my best friend,” said Ms. Richie. “She’s very passionate.”