When students take a step inside Angelia Perkins room, they’re probably unaware that they’re stepping into the room of an award winning teacher — the Overall Outstanding Art Educator for 2012-13 in Kansas.

Perkins hasn’t always been a photography teacher. She’s also taught ceramics, jewelry and drawing, but prefers photography over other art courses.

“What I love about photography is you can combine a lot of different things into one,” Perkins said. “I can introduce [the students] to a lot of different fields of art through photography.”

Perkins has always had a passion for photography, even as a painting, printmaking, sculpture major in college.

“I did photo when I was in high school,” Perkins said. “I took college classes in photo just because I loved it, so I’ve actually been doing photography forever.”

Although this wasn’t Perkins’ first award having won Outstanding Secondary Art Teacher a few years ago, she was still excited with her recent honor.

“When someone else can see what you’re doing, it was a huge surprise,” Perkins said. “It really makes you feel good.”

Perkins was nominated by former colleague Carolyn Berry because of her ability to motivate students to achieve their best.

“She tries to get them to see more in themselves,” said Berry, who retired from Free State High School last year. “And to dream about the possibilities for their future — not just in art — but also in life.”

Not only is Perkins well involved in the art hallway, but also the community. She has been the newsletter editor for the Kansas Art Education Association (KAEA) for at least five years and has been on the KAEA board at least two times.

Senior Emmett Wick said Perkins is well-known in her classroom for her loud and weird noises, but says that it’s the perfect artistic environment.

“Her beginning photography class was the first art class I took, and it was such a good environment to relax and have fun,” Wick said. “It inspired me to go on and take other art classes and continue exploring.”