I am writing this to share my deep concern regarding the recent decision to eliminate the photography class from Century. This decision directly impacts students, as it displaces our drawing & painting teacher. Removing the photography class would force that teacher to take over the drawing and painting classes, despite not having a background or training in this disciplines. This change not only affects the quality of education that I and my fellow students receive but also raises serious questions about equity, student opportunity, and the future of our school’s art program.

Drawing and painting requires specialized instruction from someone with background & experience in traditional art techniques, knowledge of various materials, and the ability to guide creative development. While the photography teacher may be knowledgeable in their own field, they are not equipped to provide the kind of rigorous, skill-based instruction necessary for these classes. As a result, students who are passionate about visual art — some of whom plan to pursue careers or college programs in the arts — will miss out on crucial learning experiences.

This decision also sends an unfortunate message that the visual arts are not valued equally with other academic subjects. In core classes, we would never assign a teacher without the proper certification or background. Why is it acceptable for the arts?

We believe this move will also lead to lower enrollment in future art classes as we are desperate to increase enrollment. When students hear that drawing and painting are being taught by someone without the appropriate training, they may choose to drop the course or not sign up at all. Over time, this could threaten the viability of the art program entirely, and the erasure of student voices at Century. Which would be a major loss for the entire school community.

Lastly, our current art teacher Ms. Kellar, is not replaceable. Her skill, passion, and dedication have helped build a strong, supportive art environment at our school. She understands how to challenge and inspire students, and she has created a space where creativity and learning thrive. Removing her from the classroom undermines not only the program’s integrity but also the students who depend on her expertise.

We respectfully ask that you reconsider this decision and explore more appropriate solutions — such as hiring a qualified art teacher or postponing this transition until a trained replacement can be found. We deserve the same level of quality and commitment to our education as any other subject area.