After spending her life in New York, where she grew up in Syracuse, art teacher Danielle Kennedy decided it was time for a change. Moving from the art scenes of New York to the community of Virginia has been a shift for Kennedy. Drawn to the area’s public art and atmosphere, she’s excited to bring her energy into the classroom and connect with her new students.
Photo courtesy of Danielle Kennedy
“I moved from New York to Virginia because I needed a change,” Kennedy said. “My best friend went to college in D.C. and every time I’d visit, I just loved it.”
Kennedy’s move to Virginia introduced her to a different pace of life and surroundings. Previously working from New York, where she did art projects and camps, she now observes the public murals and local art scene scattered throughout Virginia.
“There’s art all over the place here,” Kennedy said. “It’s different in that sense [compared to New York].”
During Kennedy’s move to Virginia, she initially found it difficult to get an art teaching position due to the increased competition for jobs. Later, when she did land her current job in CHS as an art teacher, she slowly started getting used to different systems, such as the block schedule, which was new to her.
“In school, I like that especially with block scheduling here, you have large chunks of time,” Kennedy said. “It is nice so you can take a break from your work and come back and see it with a whole set of eyes.”
Outside of her love for art, Kennedy’s move has allowed her to pursue another passion, exploring new places, which often fuels her inspiration for her art projects. She enjoys immersing herself in different environments and cultures for her artistic works.
“I love exploring and traveling. It is a big part of my life,” Kennedy said. “Italy and Switzerland are my favorite places I’ve visited.”
Kennedy is excited about the sense of community she’s found at CHS and the welcoming aspect from her students and colleagues. She aims to cultivate meaningful connections and ignite a passion for art in her students, encouraging them to explore and take risks with their creativity.
“Getting to know my students has been my favorite part so far and I want to build relationships with them,” Kennedy said. “Who doesn’t love having art every day?”
