MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Dallas Williams
Mansfield ISD
How did you get into teaching?  
At the end of my junior year in High school, I 
came back to school after a 6-month break, not 
expecting much but knowing I needed to finish just 
one more year to get out of high school.  That’s 
when I met Marilyn Melton, my high school art 
teacher; she changed my life in so many ways. 
She believed in me, she encouraged me, and 
she pushed me to be more than I ever thought 
was possible.  It is because of my desire to be 
like her and inspire my future students that I am 
still here today, helping my students see how 
amazing they are.
What do you love most about teaching art? 
I love that every day I get to come to school 
and learn something new.  Art gives students 
a chance to express themselves in so many 
different ways, and the students are always 
taking the things I teach them and teaching me. 
They are the reason I still love my job.  
What is your favorite medium to work with?
I have combined my love for sculpture and 
painting into 3D sculptural painting.  In my 
personal work, I use a spackle compound that 
I mix up and lots of texture and acrylic color to 
create works that are an impression of how I see 
nature.
What does it mean to be a TAEA member?
Over 30 years of teaching, I love giving back to 
other teachers.   I enjoy learning, so TAEA has 
given me so many opportunities to teach others, 
and teaching is learning.  As a regional rep, I 
have just started to figure out how I can continue 
to give back to Texas teachers through providing 
inspirational in-services and other opportunities. 
Something others may not know about you?
I am a Native American – Citizen Potawatomi 
Nation.   My personal work is not typical “native 
art”, but instead is a bright representation of my 
outdoor adventures.  I consider my deep ties to 
nature and its relationships to not only come from 
the way I was raised but also from my ancestors. 
What is your most memorable moment?
Being voted Teacher of the Year by my peers 
was pretty exciting!  I am separated from most of 
my campus and do not go out of my little art cave 
very often to interact with my co-workers.  So to 
have them acknowledge all of the things that I do 
as very uplifting.  Also, every graduation party, 
wedding, and baby event has been emotional. 
To know that I made enough of an impact on a 
student’s life that they want to share those life 
moments with me is a powerful feeling. 
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