Fayette County High art teacher Jeff Angelo is a conduit for creativity.
Angelo spent many years creating professionally as a graphic designer, including designing packaging you might have seen on store shelves. He also owned businesses doing what he called “chasing money.” His wife Erinn, now the principal at Braelinn Elementary, suggested he find something more fulfilling.
“My wife taught me two things: Money runs faster than you do so stop running after it so hard. And, if you don’t like what you’re doing, change it, but don’t complain about it,” he remembered. “A month later, my businesses were sold, and I was enrolled at West Georgia to get my art education degree.”
He worked at Spring Hill Elementary for 5 years before he was ready for a new challenge. Angelo is now in his 10th year at Fayette County High where he lives vicariously through the talented Tigers he oversees.
“If I was half as good as some of these kids are at their age, I have no idea where I’d be,” he said. “It’s incredible to see their work and their passion.”
Angelo’s art room is built to be a refuge and a release from the often stressful life of a high school student.
“I’ve designed this room so that anybody, regardless of whether you’re an artist or you’re not, it’s going to be a good experience, a nice break in the day, and a good head adjustment so that you can get back into whatever it is that is challenging you.”
He finds his passion in helping students. He wants to help his students learn to trust the process and see a project through from an idea to completion.
“My why is for students to come in here and find success and just feel valued,” said Angelo. “All of sudden it comes together and it’s not me saying ‘oh my gosh wow,’ it’s them saying it. That’s fun for me. That’s a huge win.”
“The Honor Role,” an official podcast for Fayette County Public Schools, features employees, rotating through key stakeholders, including teachers, staff, nurses, custodians, cafeteria workers, and bus drivers. Join us as we dive in and learn about their journeys, their inspirations, and their whys.
Episodes are available on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and promoted on the social media channels of Fayette County Public Schools.
Episodes will also be available here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2200811.
Posted 11/12/2024
