Leah Hackett, Upper School Visual Arts

Teacher: In Her Words

I grew up in Central New York near Ithaca, surrounded by inspiring art teachers and an exceptional high school art program. With supportive parents, including a creative mother and a father who carried my art portfolio, I pursued my passion. After obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY, and an MFA in Visual Arts from Vermont College of Fine Arts, I embarked on my teaching career.

I started in Fairfax County Public Schools outside Washington, DC, teaching over 800 K-6 students. This experience taught me invaluable skills in lesson planning and organization. From there, I moved to Crittenden Middle School in Newport News, Virginia, where I gained expertise in classroom management, especially in handling challenging situations. Following that, I joined York County Public Schools in Yorktown, VA, where I focused on fostering artistic growth and creativity in my students. It was during this time that I also learned the value of teamwork among art teachers, orchestrating large art events, and forming deep connections with my students.

I finally arrived at USJ in a whirlwind of change in August 2021. My sons Andrew and Asher have attended USJ since we moved to Jackson in January 2016. When the Upper School art position suddenly became available, I jumped at the chance. I followed an amazing art teacher. That always comes with apprehension, the need to win over students and parents, and a desire to dazzle them with my enthusiasm. I just want to do my best and give it my all each day.

I love my job. I wake up each day ready to head to my classroom and create magic with my students. I always have the attitude that I “get to” teach them and be a part of their awe-inspiring artistic journey. The students I work with give me hope for the future as they are thoughtful, imaginative, and articulate individuals with creative-thinking and problemsolving minds. It is just fun be there, and I am very lucky.

Fine Arts may not always be viewed as imperative to a student’s learning, but here at USJ, we recognize that the arts are necessary for the development and growth of the humans that come through our doors. You do not have to be the most talented artist ever to be in my class—although I have many who are extremely talented—and to participate and benefit from art experiences. Art is often the place that allows students to think differently, process the world and information in a unique way, and create works of art that are personal and profound. Art class is the place that empowers students to be themselves; their ideas are valid and worth communicating. We are having fun and experimenting with styles and mediums as well as with successes and failures. I have great plans to expand the arts at USJ and envelop even more students in the art experience to feed their souls and help them experience life to the fullest.

USJ Artists Showcase Their Work Across the Region

A number of Upper School art students had the opportunity to highlight their talents in local shows. Students of Leah Hackett displayed work at:

Briarcrest Regional Art Contest & Exhibition:

Eady Davenport –Best Overall Use of Mixed Media

Mattie King –Honorable Mention

Cassidy Bruno –Honorable Mention

Lacie Atkinson

Anna Badgett

Lidiah Mahalati

Abigail Preston

Olivia Welch

West Tennessee Regional Student Art Exhibition Juried Show:

Lacie Atkinson –Honorable Mention - Drawing

Cassidy Bruno

Ella Catherine Donnell

Mia Powell

Vaidehi Prasad

Caitlin Roemen

Mid-South Scholastic Art Awards:

Jenna Schultz –Honorable MentionCeramics

Lacie Atkinson –Honorable Mention - Drawing

Cassidy Bruno –Honorable MentionSculpture

Cassidy Bruno –

2 Honorable MentionsPainting

Cassidy Bruno –Honorable MentionArt Portfolio

Cassidy Bruno –Silver Key - Sculpture

Cassidy Bruno –Silver Key - Painting

Cassidy Bruno –Gold Key - Painting

Cassidy Bruno –Gold Key - Art Portfolio