Educator of the Week: Kelli Hytinen

It’s time now to recognize our Educator of the Week, brought to you by the Tennessee Education Lottery.

Kelli Hytinen is a high school art teacher at Madison Academic in Jackson.

She shares how her love of art ultimately made her decide to pursue education.

“When I was in high school, I just really enjoyed being in my art class. I loved that everybody was friends of all grade levels in there. We all connected over a mutual love of art. And I really wanted to share that as I got older,” she said.

Hytinen has been teaching for 13 years, and has been at Madison Academic for five years.

She tells us why it’s important to give aspiring artists constructive criticism.

“Constructive criticism is a huge thing in art,” she said. “I think that giving constructive criticism really helps them to make their artwork better. It helps them in real life situations to be able to take constructive criticism from people.”

Hytinen also shares her thought on the Hope Scholarship program.

“It’s just a great way for kids to get a couple years of education under their belt and then maybe go off somewhere else afterward.”

She ends by telling us how once she took that first step towards teaching art, she’s never looked back.

“Once I made that decision and I got in the classroom and I was able to share my passion for the arts and how it affects our everyday lives and see my students also feel that way, it just — it really clicked for me that I was in the right position.”

Hytinen is now eligible for the Tennessee Education Lottery Educator of the Month award.

To vote for her or any other nominees, go to the Tennessee Education Lottery website.

To nominate an educator for our Educator of the Week award, email us at educator@wbbjtv.com.