Powell High School’s new family and consumer science teacher hopes to build her program while also providing an environment students want to be in.

“I don’t turn on the big lights, we’ve got the LEDs and other lights, and I play mostly like oldies music and jazz,” Trysa Damiano said in the classroom she’s decorated. “So it’s just creating an ambiance that’s very relaxing, welcoming — kids want to be in here, and it shows some effort on my part to put together a space for them.” 

Students have taken notice and creating the space has been worth the work, Damiano said — she wants students to know where things are in the classroom and feel comfortable.

Damiano, who is in her fourth year teaching and her second year teaching consumer science, began her career teaching sixth through 12th grade English in Manokotak, Alaska, “just for the adventure, really.” 

The small village had to be accessed by plane and boasted a total population of around 300.

From there Damiano and her husband moved back to Wyoming where she taught junior high consumer science in Rock Springs.

Damiano originally went to school to teach history, but when those jobs proved hard to find she pivoted into consumer science. 

Damiano accepted the position in Rock Springs and got certified in consumer science, already having some applicable skills like sewing. 

“I love project based learning, I love kids having real experiences, and that’s what this is all about, because we get to have guest speakers and field trips [it’s] very hands-on,” she said.

Students in her human development class have taken field trips to Serenity and First Choice Imaging where they were able to watch an ultrasound, while her foods and culinary students have spent time prepping for the CTE Dinner and have also made treats for the library and Northwest College.

“My foods classes have been more like, ‘OK, I gotta go to the grocery store and make this list and then we’re cooking for other people,’ … it’s fun but it’s a little chaotic at the moment,” Damiano said.

Her interior design class has provided an opportunity to breathe and is a passion of hers, she added.

Damiano is looking forward to building the foods program, where eventually she’ll have students throughout their high school career.

“I’m putting in a lot of effort now and getting to know my students and we’re having a good time and having solid lessons,” Damiano said. “But I really look forward to what I can build and grow, for sure, over the next few years.”