Drover Alum Since Day One: Kayla Tasos
After winning her first art showcase hosted by the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma’s Art Department, Kayla Tasos was inspired to pursue a career in teaching art, thanks to a teacher’s suggestion. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2018 and has since dedicated her time to nurturing the artistic talents of elementary and middle school students.
Tasos attributes much of her success and sense of purpose to the supportive environment and influential mentors she encountered at USAO. The university not only prepared her academically but also enhanced her social skills, enabling her to confidently engage with new people in various settings.
She praises Jacquelyn Knapp, professor of art and art department coordinator, for providing crucial career advice, and Layne Thrift, professor of art, for being a mentor and strong supporter in her life.
“The USAO professors helped me find my purpose in life,” said Tasos. “I feel prepared to meet anyone in a new setting and foster a welcoming atmosphere in my own classroom because of my experiences at USAO.”
Tasos's career achievements include serving as the elementary chair leader for Oklahoma City Public Schools from 2020 to 2023. In 2023, she was named the Middle Level Art Educator of the year by the Oklahoma Art Education Association. She is currently teaching at Alcott Middle School in Norman.
"At USAO I developed a mindset that drove me to put so much time and effort into all my assignments and projects," said Tasos. “After graduation, that helped me as I’ve been able to earn my alternative pathway certificate for teaching and as well as being honored as Art Educator of the Year.”
Through her achievements and the influential figures at USAO, Tasos continues to carry forward the lessons and inspirations from her college days into her flourishing career in education.
"USAO is where you meet amazing new people who become lifelong friends,” she said. “It’s where you forge strong connections with professors who are dedicated to guiding you toward your future."
About the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma
As Oklahoma’s liberal arts college, the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma provides a distinctive education in the liberal arts and sciences, supporting both its interdisciplinary core curriculum and major fields of study with superior teaching. USAO fosters diversity of thought and practice to help students realize meaningful, purposeful and productive lives as global citizens in a rapidly changing world.