While in college, Kate Wells never imagined she would one day become a gifted teacher. She got her bachelor’s degree in anthropology, and went on to years of odd jobs, including six as a river guide. It wasn’t until she and her husband moved to Placerville that she finally decided it was time for a change. “I realized that in all these odd jobs I had, there was always a teaching component,” she says.

 Wells now teaches English, martial arts and student council at Charter University Prep (CUPrep) in El Dorado. She was also recently granted the Teacher Hero Award by the California Arts Council for her role in integrating Poetry Out Loud—which gets kids reciting poetry as a way to deepen their appreciation of the arts while gaining self-confidence and public speaking skills—into CUPrep’s curriculum. “[Poetry Out Loud] speaks to people who haven’t found their voice yet,” Wells explains, adding that she’s seen firsthand how poetry can transform students’ lives for the better.  

In her spare time, she plays violin with the American River College Orchestra and volunteers at the El Dorado County Animal Shelter—sometimes with the help of her two teenage daughters. When asked about her multitude of interests, she confesses to being a somewhat restless spirit, but recognizes that teaching has allowed her to finally find her niche. “It never gets old,” she enthuses. “I can always change my lesson plans, and the students change too. Every year, it feels like a new job.

 — Amber Foster // Photos by Dante Fontana