Growing up surrounded by art, Kelly Casassa gravitated toward following an artistic career path almost naturally. Casassas’ artistic pursuits continue as she teaches her first year of digital art and design, digital photography and ceramics at the school this fall.
Prior to this school year, Casassa taught digital art, advanced art and ASB at Diegueño Middle School for 10 years. The opportunity to teach digital art and explore high school was what brought Casassa to the position.
“It’s amazing,” Casassa said. “The spirit here is wonderful. The students are incredible, and everyone’s been very welcoming, so I’m very happy to be part of the family.”
With her grandfather as a professional photographer and her father as a graphic designer, Casassa has been in touch with art her entire life.
“I’ve loved art as long as I’ve known, ” Casassa said. “My whole family has been artists … I loved painting as a kid, and it was my outlet in school, so I just kind of pursued it throughout my whole life.”
Casassa earned her undergraduate degree in art history from the University of San Diego, taking many digital art and painting classes in between. In addition to her master’s degree in education through University of California, Irvine, she earned a PhD in visual literacies and art education from Claremont Graduate University/San Diego State University.
Casassa described herself as a “lifelong learner” and places emphasis on fostering this attitude among students as well.
“Inspiring students to be lifelong learners and [to pursue] what they’re interested in, and to be able to help them with whatever avenue they want to go through, especially [in] our CTE courses, is really inspiring and helpful,” Casassa said.
Outside of teaching, Casassa enjoys drawing, painting and spending time outdoors with her kids.
“I have three kids, so I’m very busy,” Casassa said. “We love to bike and run … we do a lot of outdoor activities [like] camping and surfing,” Casassa said.
Over three weeks into the new school year, Casassa has found joy in teaching her various art classes.
“I’ve really enjoyed every class,” Casassa said. “I was just talking to a friend, and I said that time flies — I look at the clock, I’m like, ‘oh my goodness, it’s already been an hour,’ … so it’s really nice to feel that, because obviously I love being in here, and the students have really helped that.”
While she aims to inspire students to become “lifelong learners,” she finds herself being inspired as well.
“I appreciate how all of the students are very dedicated to really pursuing their elective courses, and all the skills that they already have are really inspiring,” Casassa said.
