BIC has many teachers who have worked in the district for decades, teaching generations of Buffalo Island families. One notable educator, Carol Hamrick, stands out from the pack in terms of the years of service she has dedicated to the district. Mrs.Hamrick has taught art at the high school for 31 years, beginning her career in 1995.  Hamrick has seen many changes come and go including the fashion that students have now versus when she first started working at the school. She has also noticed a much greater use of technology. “Instead of carrying heavy books around, students now have laptops. The grading system has also improved tremendously. Teachers used to have to fill in circles on grade sheets for 9 weeks and semester grades, and now it can all be done online,“ said Hamrick.

I wanted to teach Art because I’ve always enjoyed creating it,” said Hamrick. She grew up with a big family and loved spending time with people, so teaching has given her the best of both worlds. While she was in college to become an art teacher, she also took commercial art, and during her time in that class, her favorite project was perspective drawings of towns. “It’s more of a technical drawing using rulers and other straight lines, and it’s one project that most people are very successful with,” said Hamrick.

 While art has been her assigned role, it was not her preferred subject area. “It wasn’t my first choice, but it was what worked out,” she said. When asked if she could teach any other subject, she chose Drama. Her reason? She loves acting and directing other actors to make the characters come to life in the best way possible. 

 On the subject of favorite class projects, her favorite assignment that her students have completed so far has been the healing journal, in which students created art based on past stressful experiences. She says that she loves it because it’s mostly student-led and because it’s unique to each student. She’s also had some students come tell her that the journal has helped them in different ways.

“The best part about teaching is getting to spend time with all the students. It’s so fulfilling to see them go from young impressionable kids to knowledgeable men and ladies,” said Hamrick. 

Senior art student  Kaden Healey has a passion for drawing, and he said that he appreciates Mrs. Hamrick’s dedication to her subject. “Mrs. Hamrick definitely helps me with my drawings, particularly anatomy. She shows me different ways that could help me in the future with my art, different techniques and styles. She helps me be more creative in the things I draw, giving me more ideas,” said Healey. “She’s a good teacher, she gives us enough time to finish our work, and finds fun projects for us to do in class,” Healey continued. 

Whether Mrs.Hamrick likes it or not, some students aren’t really interested in learning about art. However, one way she gets students interested in the subject is by being kind to the student and helping them create something according to their interests and what they want their art to look like. 

“As long as they have a good attitude and put their best effort into their work, they’ll learn a lot and have a great time doing it,” Hamrick said.