Art teacher Annamarie Zink has decided to leave West Shore after this school year to take a teaching position at Eau Gallie High School.

“Eau Gallie High School is a Cambridge School Art Academy,” Zink said. “It is dedicated to the vision ‘Education Through the Eyes of Art.’ When I was asked to grow the program, I felt it was a good move professionally. The decision has been very emotional and not without a sense of loss.”

Zink has been an art teacher here for five years and has left a large impact on the program during that time.

“I developed a strong 3D curriculum when I first got here, and this year taught the first AP 3D Design class,” Zink said. “I have also developed a strong drawing and painting program.”

Students have been showing their feelings about the loss of their teacher.

“I’ve had Mrz. Zink for five years now, and I can’t imagine losing her as a teacher,”  junior Shaye Wilson said. “She has made me love art class and helped me out so much.”

The new art teacher for next year, Matthew Henderson, the husband of current teacher Melissa Henderson, has prior experience teaching art and is accomplished as an artist.

“I have met Mr. Henderson a few times,” Zink said. “He is really nice and passionate about the arts. He taught 3D/ Ceramics at Space Coast before I started there.”

Though she will no longer be at West Shore, Zink still plans to stay in touch with students.

“I am so sad to be leaving the awesome students that I have known for years,” Zink said. “I have watched them grow up and turn into amazing human beings. I hope that they will still think of me as they go on in their lives, and I hope that I made a difference in their education. I also hope that they will keep me informed of the amazing things that they accomplish and visit me.”

By Maegan Muir