Nancy Keisman named LA Art Teacher of the Year

Courtesy photo

Nancy Keisman poses with Lakewood Elementary principal, Kevin Barney, and three of her 4th grade Talented Art students.

Nancy Keisman, a Talented Art teacher for St. Charles Parish Public Schools, has been named the Louisiana Art Educators Association's Art Teacher of the Year for the state.

"I cannot remember when I was not involved in art; as a kid at the art museum, in high school, and then college," Keisman said.

She earned her degree in art education at the University of New Hampshire and has been teaching for 36 years, mostly in St. Charles Parish. She currently teaches Talented Art at Lakewood Elementary, Mimosa Park Elementary and R.K. Smith Middle schools.

"At the time I did not know how much I would enjoy teaching others what I, myself, love to do," she said. "I especially like teaching the elementary level because experiencing art is at its beginnings. I love seeing how each child interprets and expresses himself or herself when given an opportunity to create art."

Keisman plans to retire in May but to continue to find ways to incorporate art and teaching into her life. 

"I have been very pleased with my time teaching in the St. Charles Parish Schools," she said. "I will continue…to advocate the necessity of providing the arts to each child in our schools."