Another first-year teacher starts her career at CCS

Erin Mehlin describes herself as an “ambitious art educator.”
Mehlin received a Bachelor of Arts degree in art education K-12 from the University of Nebraska-Kearney in May.
She received several prestigious awards and honors while attending UNK, as well as holding leadership positions to add to her resume.
Mehlin joined the Chase County Schools staff this fall as a K-6 art teacher. She also assisted coaching staff during volleyball games.
While attending UNK, she actively sought teaching experiences as a paraprofessional at Kearney Community Learning Center and Buffalo Hills Elementary.
In addition, she was a substitute teacher in the Kenesaw Public School system.
“I knew I wanted to make a difference by being a light and a source of support to students,” Mehlin said. “I love seeing the kids’ creativity in art.”
She said her goal as an art teacher is to combine her passion for art and people.
“My aim is to build a sense of community within the classroom and the school,” she added.
She also explained that art is a great way to teach problem solving.
She likes to let the students figure out how to approach their art projects instead of always helping them in their decision-making.
“I think as kids, we are all creative, but then somewhere along the way many lose it,” said Mehlin.
Another of her goals is to help each student be unique in their own way—finding creative ways to solve problems.
“I tell them I don’t expect a Mona Lisa. But I do push them to give a 100% effort,” she said.
“They often surprise themselves at what they can do,” she laughed.
Mehlin has always loved oil painting and prefers painting landscapes and being outside in nature.
“Nature inspires most of my art,” she said.
She said she paints mostly for her own pleasure, but sometimes people do buy her art.
“I always want to do art for myself, but also to get better so I can teach my students better,” she added.
Besides her art, Mehlin enjoys traveling, camping and hiking.
Most of her family is in Kearney, she said, but she is engaged to be married with a wedding date set for Aug. 6 next year.