Kelly Phillips

• Position: Graphic design and principles of arts teacher, freshman basketball and JV track coach
• Degrees & Alma Mater: Bachelor’s degree in sports management in Texas A&M
• School Activities: High school played basketball and was apart of NHS
• Years at Caney Creek: 3
• Years Teaching: 4

How would other people describe your high-school self?

Quiet, I was really shy when I was in high school. I had friends, I was nice, well liked but I wasn’t outgoing.

Was there a career you wanted to pursue OR pursued before teaching?

Graphic design, when I was in high school and they asked what we wanted to be, that’s what I wanted to be. But then I went to college and I studied business and sports, I got into a more athletic world. Then I got into marketing, which brought me back to designing stuff for events we did, which brought me back to graphic design.

Why didn’t you go to college for graphic design?

I let people tell me I couldn’t make a career out of it, so I thought I should get something more substantial. But having gone through things I realized that I could make a career out of it, that’s part of the reason why I like teaching it, to help you guys realize you can make something out of it.

Tell us about how you got into teaching.

During the pandemic everything shut down, and the majority of my clients for graphic design were small businesses and events, all of which stopped. So I started thinking of other pathways, and I started thinking about teaching and even teaching graphic design. During the pandemic I started working on getting my alternative certification for it.

What do you do outside of school for fun? Why?

I play pickleball recreationally. I saw my cousin playing pickleball with her students during summer school and I wanted to learn. It looked fun. 

When people get to know you, what are they most surprised to learn about you? 

Probably that I thrift and collect ‘90s toys. 

What is your hidden talent?

I can juggle three things at a time.

What is something you know a weird amount about that isn’t related to something you teach?

I know a lot of random trivia, I’m good at crosswords and word puzzles. I just know a lot of random stuff.

Tell us the story about what you are most proud of yourself for.

Becoming a teacher, my husband Tate had tried to tell me to become a teacher for about 10 years. I kept saying that it wasn’t for me, that I couldn’t do it, I couldn’t teach kids things and I can’t explain things. Then I did it, and I was like “I should’ve been doing this a long time ago.” This is definitely where I should be.

Who is someone you are thankful for and why?

I’m thankful for my husband. He supports all of my weird things, I’m strange and he just rolls with it and loves me for it. He’s been a huge supporter.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Do what you love, follow your path and do what you know you love to do. Trust it’ll work out.

What do you hope to be remembered for?

Inspiring children and being a great teacher. To my kid I hope she remembers that I was always supportive, that I’m always in her corner, good or bad.

What’s on your bucket list? 

To play in a pickleball tournament. Something on my design bucket list is to design a stand alone billboard. It’s cool to be able to drive down the highway and see something you created and have others see it.

What aspirations do you have for the future?

I intend to stay here teaching graphic design forever. I want to keep growing the program, there’s so many talented kids that come through here and I want to give them exposure to this industry. I want people out in the world to see how talented they are too. Just to keep growing everything.

Favorites

• Food: Cheeseburger, best cheeseburger from Lee’s burgers
• Restaurant: Panchos
• Music: Alternative, favorite song would be Saturday by Fall Out Boy
• TV Show: “One tree hill”
• Movie: “A League of Their Own”
• Book: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1″
• Teacher: Coach Newman, junior varsity basketball coach in high school