It’s that time again where we get to celebrate one of our wonderful Dan Mills faculty members who have added so much goodness and love to our community!
This month, we got to chat with DMES’ favorite creative cool cat, Mrs. Holt! She’s graced the hallways and brought the sunshine to Dan Mills students for 24 years, and she’s only just getting started! While she is one of two stellar art teachers at our school, she was originally hired to teach sixth grade. Here’s what she has to say about her life as a DMES Dragon:
“I started my career at Dan Mills Elementary in the original building that stood in front of the existing school. I was originally hired as a 6th grade teacher. YES, DMES used to be 3rd thru 6th grade plus kindergarten. Go figure. The following seven years, I taught two years of fourth grade and five years of 3rd grade. I have ALWAYS loved and incorporated ART in my classrooms. In 2006, I became certified to teach ART and have never been happier. I am currently in my 24th year at Dan Mills and 16th year as the ART teacher. When you love what you do and do what you love, you couldn't be more blessed!”
We think she’s amazing at pretty much everything, but read on to learn what she says about her cooking skills!
Describe your class/position/job in three words:
Oodles of FUN!
When you were in 3rd grade, what was your dream job?
I wanted to work at LIBERTY LAND in Memphis, Tennessee so I could ride roller coasters all day every day!
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
"God made you who you are to use you as He planned."
What is your favorite thing about DMES?
My favorite thing about Dan Mills is our close knit community of students, faculty and parents. How blessed to have started my teaching career here at DMES 24 years ago and retirement isn't anywhere in the near future!
What does a typical Saturday night look like for you?
A LOT different than a Saturday night in college looked like! Lol Now, I'm sound asleep by 9PM.
Fill in the blank: People would be surprised to learn that I ________.
have two adopted girls from China.
Where do you go when you need some inspiration?
PINTEREST ......I love me some PINTEREST!
What is one of your hidden talents?
Hmmmmm.....well it's sure not cooking! I only have a kitchen because it came with the house.
What's your favorite song to sing karaoke to?
DELTA DAWN by Tanya Tucker
Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school, and what was it about them that you loved?
I grew up in Mississippi and moved to Alabama right before I started High School. My freshman Biology teacher's name was Coach Jim Caneer. I wasn't interested in Biology at all, but he was an AMAZING teacher who made me feel valued and important at a time where I was in a brand new city, state, and school. Coach Caneer was so great that I signed up to take his A.P. Biology class my senior year. That was 33 years ago and I'm happy to say that we are still very much in touch with each other on Facebook. Teachers can continue to inspire their students for a lifetime!
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Especially during these extenuating circumstances, Mrs. Holt notef that it's heartbreaking not to be able to share ART supplies with students.
Please note that parents can make donations for the following art supplies, so every student can participate in a COVID-safe art experience:
CRAYOLA watercolor sets 8 pack or 16 pack
Markers
Colored Pencils
CRAYOLA Crayons
Black Sharpies (FINE tip as well as EXTRA FINE tip)
Colored Sharpies
*Students are bringing these supplies with them each week they go to ART.