Jenny Brown pictured within Southwestern Central School District. Submitted photo

The Southwestern Central School District will be losing a teacher who has been with the district since the start of her career 30 years ago.

Jenny Brown will be retiring from the district after this academic year. Brown is the art teacher, and former chair of the department, for the district. Brown began her career in the district after completing both her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Buffalo State University. Brown initially completed a degree in business, and went on to work in business for five years after doing so. It was around this time that Brown embraced her life-long love of art and returned to school to become an art teacher. After completing the necessary degree work, Brown began working with the district, where she has been ever since.

Brown will leave a lasting impression on the district through the class she created. The class is titled Creative Art and is a largely craft-based class, said Brown. Brown has also taught art for grades 9 to 12, studio art, and AP art classes as well.

Brown noted that one of the most impactful situations for her is seeing a former student out in the world. Brown noted how meaningful it is to hear past students who remember her and fondly reminisce on her classes.

“That’s really something very meaningful to me,” stated Brown. Brown went on to say “and the ones, obviously, who went onto art because they had my class, that’s extra special.”

Brown noted that former teacher Mark Kirsch had a huge impact when first beginning her career. Kirsch was the art teacher for the district at the time Brown was hired. During this time Kirsch had a large role in ensuring Brown had all of the resources needed and aiding her when struggles would arise, according to Brown. Kirsch showed Brown important ways to run a classroom and connect with students, Brown claimed. Brown noted that many of these lessons learned from Kirsch were ones that were carried and used up until now.

Brown noted the growth that she has seen within the art program in her time at the district. The district has a very strong art program with a large number of students, said Brown. Brown hopes to continue to see this program grow. Brown noted a host of amazing teachers within the art program currently, who she believes will continue to grow and expand the program for the district.