Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1472975
20 "I cannot remember a time when I wasn't interested in art," says art teacher Kathi Clymer. A 5th generation Wyomingite, Kathi cast her career around her lifelong interest in art and the legacy of educators in her family. Her great grandfather built the first schoolhouse and sat on the first school board in Rock River. Four of her cousins, her oldest sister, and her mother all became teachers. Kathi followed in her mother's footsteps, teaching for 27 years in Glenrock, Burlington, and Rock Springs and serving as an Association leader throughout her career. Kathi credits her family with fostering her love of teaching and nurturing her artistic ability and creativity. Kathi shared with WEA News that she remembers as a child traveling in the car on a newly- built stretch of an interstate with her father, a heavy equipment operator. 'Look at that,' he told her, 'There is a man proud of his work. It is a beautiful job.' Kathi says her father saw the beauty in moving dirt and doing it artistically. He arranged for her to learn about ceramics in a studio. In that studio, young Kathi made Christmas presents for her family members, including a cherished keepsake for her dad. "I looked at my dad as a tough guy," she said, "that year, I was more clearly introduced to a man who loved his children and encouraged their interests and abilities." As a sophomore in high school, Kathi went through an Art Instruction program purchased by her father. He encouraged her to pursue it as a potential career path. He died her senior year. "He had left me with a possibility for my future," she said, "which came to fruition." Her love of family and her love of art are pillars in Kathi's life, as is her love for teaching and her students. In August of 2021, she was unexpectedly diagnosed with non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver. She is in stage 4 deterioration at the time of this writing. Doctors gave her between 90 days and one year to live when she was originally diagnosed. When asked how she wants to be remembered, Kathi's answer is very straightforward, "I want to have made a difference in the lives of my students," she says, going on to share, "I have been lucky to have many of my students stay in contact with me, and now I have received some wonderful communication from students who thank me for what they learned from me. I also want my family to know I have loved them deeply. I want my friends to know how much I appreciate the time they have given to make my life better. I want to be remembered as a valuable teacher, a good friend, and a lover of family." Now retired from her long career teaching in Wyoming Public Schools, Kathi still works in the classroom at Laramie Montessori once a week. "I retired from teaching after 27 years in the public schools but continue to find places to teach art," she says. "I also continue my own education as I feel lifelong learning is a key to a healthy mind and soul." Even as she plans for the inevitable, Kathi is serving students, creating art, and enjoying time spent with what she considers the constants in her life: her The Road Not Yet Taken Honoring the Life and Legacy of Wyoming Art Teacher and WEA Leader Kathleen Clymer By: Amanda Turner Captions: From left: Kathleen (Kathi) Clymer, (Center) illustration from Dymphna the Dowdy Dragon, Kathleen with her nephew, fused glass artwork created by Kathi, Kathleen with her great niece before Prom.