Each year, the #SpanningtheNeed will present an “Inspirational Person of the Week, Education Edition’ during Teacher Appreciation Week and have a “Q & A” with one of its many gifted teachers who are willing to go out of their own way to help others. This week’s featured as apart of our Teacher Appreciation Week is Melissa Hackett from Mahoning County Career and Technical Center.
Nominate someone now
Name: Melissa Hackett
Position: Creative Arts and Design Instructor
School District: Mahoning County Career and Technical Center
Bio:
Melissa Hackett is the Creative Arts and Design Instructor at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center in Canfield, Ohio where she has served in this position for the past 32 years. Melissa loves watching her students find their passion within the art field and then soar both academically and artistically once they find this passion. It’s important to her to encourage her students to use their talent to give back to the community and make a difference.
Besides being an instructor, she practices what she preaches and is very involved with The Ryan Giambattista HELMS Foundation, which provides art therapy to the tri-county area. She serves as the non-profits Marketing and Fundraising Manager. Melissa is inspired daily by her family, colleagues and students. In her free time, she loves to travel, create art, workout and read. She has had her paintings in the YWCA Women’s Show and the Butler Institute of Art 85th Annual Show.
What made you want to go into the education field?
I actually fell into the position at the Career and Technical Center when one of their former graphic design instructor’s went on maternity leave and I took over for them…I instantly knew it was where and what I was meant to do. I love sharing my passion for art/design and luckily, have had the opportunity to do what I love within the best educational system for the past 32 years.
What’s the biggest factor that has helped you be successful in education?
Being flexible…things change in our industry (both career/tech and education) constantly and you have to adapt and change/learn along with it or you are doing your student’s a disservice.
What is the biggest professional mistake you made along the way?
Not following my dreams by accepting the Master’s Degree program at NYU, which would have afforded me the opportunity to study both in New York and Florence, Italy.
What is the best advice you can give future educators or the public?
Connect with your students…if you invest in them, they will invest in you and what you’re teaching. Know you are making a difference even in the hardest of days.
If you could start all over again, what would you do differently regarding your profession?
I honestly have had a wonderful career…even in some of the hardest times (and there where plenty), I’ve trusted the process, learned and become stronger both personally and professionally.
What song best describes you or is the soundtrack to your life?
Gypsy by Lady Gaga…I definitely have a gypsy spirit and soul
What is your best accomplishment/experience in life?
Being a mother is my best accomplishment in life. My son, Nikolas is my pride and joy. He will be graduating from DePaul University this Spring with a BFA in Film Directing.
Who is your role model and Why?
I have had the opportunity to have been surrounded by a strong Italian/Greek family with an abundance of amazing role models. They have given me my strength, love of my heritage and value of giving back.
If there was one person that you would like to meet, past or present, who would it be and why?
Michelangelo…I would love to learn from a master of the High Renaissance.
A favorite quote that you live by?
“To travel is to evolve.” – Pierre Bernardo
