Jane Stewart Award of Excellence - Kaylee Bond

Picasso famously said that “every child is an artist.” As art teacher at the Westview School, Kaylee Bond has the privilege of nurturing and fostering that inner artist in her students.

Friend and co-worker, Chaz Corder said of Kaylee, “She has an inherent ability to know her students; to know that not every student’s success point looks the same. She is really good at identifying this and meeting our kids where they are.”

Kaylee has been a member of the Westview community since Fall of 2016. She began as an assistant in our Early Childhood Development classes and began working towards her teaching certificate. Kaylee became head of The Westview School art department in Fall of 2019. This fulfilled a dream Kaylee had since college at Wichita State University where she graduated with a degree in Studio Art with emphasis on Painting and Drawing.

“Being an art teacher was always a dream of mine,” said Kaylee, “Art therapy had its appeal, but a class setting with big groups of kids, that was my goal.”

A typical day for Mrs. Kaylee includes up to 5 art classes. In non-COVID years, the art studio on the Westview campus is a revolving door of little and big kids throughout the day getting messy and exploring creativity under Mrs. Kaylee’s watchful tutelage. This year started with some challenges, but flexibility and the creativity she is fostering in her students led the way for Kaylee to connect and meet the needs of her students. Kaylee zooms into classrooms and often moves her groups outside, carting her supplies as needed. Oncampus restrictions have lifted enough so our youngest Wildcats have started having time in the art studio located in our 1830 building.

“I love what I do at The Westview School,” said Kaylee. “I teach all the students throughout their entire career here. I get to see not only their artistic talent develop but how our students grow emotionally through art as well.”

When Kaylee Bond took over the role of art teacher for the 2019-2020 school year, her first order of business was to execute a backdrop for the school’s yearly theme. With the help of Hillery Jones, art therapist, Mrs. Kaylee created a visually stunning, life-sized masterpiece of inspiration for Westview students.

“Art can be hard for our kids,” said Kaylee, “So, it makes it even more rewarding when a student completes a project or piece of art they are proud of.”

“I see myself retiring doing this job. There is a real peace to feel set and know you are where you’re supposed to be.”