2 Enka Art Teachers Get State Awards

Ms. Dorothy Hambright (left), of Enka High School, won the NCAEA Secondary Art Educator of the Year, and Ms. Sarah Booze, of Enka Intermediate School, won the NCAEA Rookie Art Educator of the Year.

By Tim Reaves
BCS Communications Department

BCS art teachers show students how to harness the power of imagination and creatively solve problems, all while delivering a rigorous curriculum that reveals connections to language, mathematics, science, and society.

This year, the North Carolina Art Educators Association (NCAEA) honored two BCS arts educators, both from the Enka District! Ms. Dorothy Hambright, of Enka High School, won the NCAEA Secondary Art Educator of the Year, and Ms. Sarah Booze, of Enka Intermediate School, won the NCAEA Rookie Art Educator of the Year.

"Visual Art is the catapult to innovation," said BCS arts education specialist Laura Mitchell. "Our jobs of the future are tied more than ever to strong designers and collaborators. We're teaching students how to be visually literate individuals who can imagine new ideas and then create those ideas for the world to see.

Congratulations to both of these superb art teachers!

DOROTHY HAMBRIGHT

On Wednesday afternoon, Ms. Hambright walked around the tables as her Art II students drew asymmetrical patterns on paper to better understand balance, focal points, and color theory. They had plenty of questions, and she helped them work through problem areas. She calls herself a “facilitator” who helps her students find success in a multitude of mediums.

“Art is a completely different way of learning, and it’s meaningful for everyone whether or not they realize it,” she said. “I don’t teach ‘art.’ I teach patience and perseverance. My students learn so much about starting a project from an idea and turning that vision into a finished product.”

Jacob Whitten, a junior in Ms. Hambright’s Art III class, said Ms. Hambright is interactive, energetic, and positive. She encourages students to collaborate and critique each other constructively and to work with other classes like theater.

“She’s open, helpful, and she lets you know she really cares,” he said.

“I like the freedom of art and the idea that there’s no one right answer,” added junior Ashley Parker. “You’re working hard, but you really enjoy it.”

SARAH BOOZE

Ms. Booze led her sixth-graders through a lesson about ancient Egyptian art on Thursday. They warmed up by drawing their own “Egyptian deities” in the ancient style but with each child’s own flare – like the “god of ducks” or the “goddess of soccer.” Afterwards, Ms. Booze used her signature golden microphone to call students to the front to share their work.

This is her second year at Enka Intermediate after an earlier career in graphic design.

“I always wanted to get into the education side of art,” she said. “I have high expectations. I tell my students ‘we’re professionals in training,’ because creativity is one of the most important skills they can learn for any career they want to pursue.”

Ms. Booze’s art lessons often serve as a deeper dive into the social studies curriculum, letting students imagine ancient cultures through the art those people produced.

“She’s exciting, and it’s colorful,” said sixth-grader Kylie Tweed. “We work on sketchbooks, and we made Stonehenge paintings. It’s fun.”

“She pushes you to do stuff you didn’t know you could do,” added Ayiana Hays. “She won’t let you give up.”

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More coverage of these awards is available on the BCS Arts Facebook page.

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Buncombe County Schools