Art teacher follows new path

Jan McKenzie has people to meet and places to go. After 30 years, the Scarselli Elementary School teacher is retiring.

McKenzie, 58, started teaching school in 1973 and has taught all grades from kindergarten through 12th grade, but her love was teaching art to elementary students.

"I will miss the kids," said McKenzie. "I've worked with them for 30 years. I feel I accomplished what I wanted with the art program - that the kids came away learning about art."

McKenzie's new business of selling early-American antiques online was the impetus to consider retirement.

"I've been living with antiques a long time and I don't want to spend all my time dusting them," she said about her collection of more than 1,700 items.

She considers the business an outlet for creativity and gets a lot of support from her family.

"Mom always realized the value in art," said daughter Katie Reil, who graduated from Douglas High School in 2000.

"She integrated art in lessons - utilizing motor skills, using scissors, holding a paint brush - everyone should know these things.

"My mom said even choosing what clothes to wear in the morning is a part of art - in all aspects of life you need art," Reil said.

McKenzie, former husband Dave Reil and art teacher K.C. Brennan initiated the art program in Carson Valley schools in 1996.

"If people could see how kids have been impacted by art," said McKenzie. "Some really latch on. They might be struggling everywhere else but they came alive in here. They had a way to express themselves.

"Kids are funneled into narrow lanes but we need to offer a variety in school. We need to give them everything," she said.

McKenzie hinted that being involved in children's art wouldn't be out of the question in the future.

"I'm not through yet. I feel at home in a classroom," she said.

"Art teachers have a terrific impact on kids," McKenzie said. "I've always loved my job. Teaching school has been an experience but now I have a new life path.

"Things are going to be different - it's my turn."