Hello! My name is Ava L. Barnes - Wells , and I proudly serve as the Graphic Arts teacher at Amite Westside Middle Magnet School. With over 13 years of experience in education, I bring a deep commitment to student growth, creativity, and academic excellence. Throughout my career, I have worked to ensure that all students—regardless of background—feel empowered to explore their voices through visual art and digital media.
My background includes a strong foundation in both the arts and sciences, which allows me to naturally connect creative expression with analytical thinking. This interdisciplinary approach fits seamlessly into our school's STEAM program, where the "A" for Arts is not an add-on but a powerful, integral part of student learning. In my classroom, students blend artistic techniques with principles of design, technology, and critical problem-solving—developing skills that are both innovative and relevant to the modern world.
Beyond the classroom, I serve as a Mentor Teacher and an active member of our Instructional Leadership Team (ILT). In these roles, I collaborate with colleagues to drive school-wide instructional improvement and support professional growth across content areas. I believe that being an educator means being a lifelong learner, a role model, and a champion for student potential.
Every day, I strive to create an inclusive, dynamic learning environment where students can take creative risks, explore emerging technologies, and understand how art intersects with science, engineering, and beyond. My goal is to help shape well-rounded, curious thinkers who are prepared not just for academic success, but for meaningful, creative lives.
