Erin Khoo, art teacher

Q: What do you teach at PHS?

A: I teach Art 1 and Art 1 Honors.

Q: Where were you teaching before PHS?

A: I taught at Vandy Middle School, Blennerhassett Elementary, Wooster City Schools and taught art at Wayne Center For the Arts.

Q: What brought you to PHS?

A: My passion for art and the growth of the youth in the Parkersburg community.

Q: How long have you been teaching?

A: I have been teaching for four years.

Q: What are you excited about this year?

A: Opening eyes and minds of the students and allowing them to see the wonders of what art can do for them.

Q: How would you describe your teaching style?

A: I would describe my teaching style as personal, calm, and relatable.

Q: What do you want your students to know about you?

A: I grew up on a farm in Wooster, Ohio.

Q: Why did you become a teacher? 

A: I have always enjoyed working with kids as a teenager and would babysit. I stumbled upon teaching after my bachelor’s degree in fine arts. A friend recommended substitute teaching to me. I found a love for teaching and fostering the youth by substitute teaching and teaching art. It allows me to even learn more about art as well.

Q: Do you have a quote you live your life by?

A: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” – 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 NIV Bible

Q: What hobbies do you do outside of school?

A: I hike, bike, longboard, adventure to new places, do acrobatics, Pilates, paint, sculpt, read poetry, travel, go to small venue concerts and art museums.

Q: Do you have any advice for your students?

A: Benjamin Franklin tried roughly 3,000 to 6,000 different kinds of materials before he found the one that worked in the light bulb. Never stop trying!