Prior to becoming an art teacher at Townsend Harris High School, Melissa Nakos dabbled in different areas of the art industry. 

Initially, she worked as a store manager at one of the BCBG Max Azria’s locations, where she focused on merchandising to promote showrooms in the fashion district of Manhattan. Additionally, she served as a camp director in Tribeca, which provided her with valuable experience working with children. During her time in these positions, she furthered her knowledge of design and layout. She recalls, “I was intrigued and taught myself how to use Adobe programs such as InDesign and Photoshop. I was able to use these skills in the future.”

Feeling at a crossroads in her career, Ms. Nakos desired a change in her career path. Considering her passion for art and prior experience working with children as a camp director, she determined that becoming a teacher would be the most practical and fulfilling choice. 

Her decision to teach at THHS was influenced by the school’s strong academic reputation and relatively underrepresented artistic scene. To bring more attention to the arts and diversify the curriculum, the administration introduced graphic design as a course option and assigned Ms. Nakos to teach it in its first year. Reflecting on this opportunity, Ms. Nakos said, “It was a step in the direction of expanding the arts curriculum. That’s why [THHS] is a good fit [for me].” 

Margherita Wischerth, a fellow art teacher, spoke highly of her experience working alongside Ms. Nakos. “Ms. Nakos is a very warm and welcoming individual whom I have had the opportunity to discuss teaching art and sharing art projects ideas to expand the learning of art to more students,” said Ms. Wischerth.  

One of Ms. Nakos’ current students, sophomore Xinton Jiang, said, “[Ms. Nakos] is very supportive. She explains things in a way that everyone can understand. She’s also very lenient with deadlines, which is a plus.”

Ms. Nakos encourages aspiring artists by emphasizing that there are numerous paths to pursue that do not necessarily involve becoming a visual artist. Recently, she participated in a five-part professional development program focusing on careers in the arts. “The options are limitless. Keep learning; no one can take that knowledge away from you. If you want something, work hard, be true to yourself, and trust your instincts,” she said.

Photo by Maggie Huang