Deborah Ballok

by Lynne Ober

Litchfield resident and Hudson teacher, Deborah Ballok sees the best in everyone. That’s probably her artist background coloring the world rosy and bright.

Deb grew up in Connecticut, graduated from high school and then attended “Normal School.” That’s what it used to be called, but now it’s known as Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), founded in 1893, located in New Haven, Connecticut. The art program at SCSU offers abundant choices and extensive training in fine arts.

During her college years, Deb worked part time in a jewelry department. At the time she graduated with her degree, there was a glut of teachers and few teaching jobs. Deb was offered full time employment managing a watch and jewelry repair shop. “I really learned patience during the three years that I worked at that job,” she laughs. “Working with the public teaches you lots of things.”

Deb moved to Virginia and entered the health and fitness industry. With her high energy level and quick smile, she was soon teaching popular aerobics classes and learning how to help other people define a fit lifestyle.

When she moved to New Hampshire, she decided to pursue a teaching position. “That was back in the times when teachers were allowed to take year-long sabbaticals,” Deb recalls. “I was offered a one year substitute position for a teacher on a sabbatical. I took it and taught a year in Hollis.”

When that year was up, she was hired as an art teacher at Hudson Memorial School where she taught for twenty-three years.

Alvirne Senior Chris Kersy and Mrs. Ballok review old Alvirne yearbook at Hills House.

Deb is a single mom of two daughters. Teaching art allowed her to share her love and beauty of art with students while still be available for her growing daughters. Today one of them is completing her junior year at University of New Hampshire. “Don’t ask me to explain what she’s studying, but let me tell you she not only knows it, she loves it. She hopes to continue into graduate school,” Deb stated. Her other daughter is just completing her sophomore year at Campbell High School.

Deb’s enthusiasm and artist ability was well known in the Hudson School District. Her ability to relate to students and to motivate them in their artistic endeavors led to an unusual request. Alvirne High School recruited her. “Jackie Sidorovich talked to me to see if I’d have any interest in moving from the middle school to the high school, and I was,” said Deb. “It’s really been a learning experience for me.”

In the middle school, Deb would have students for only forty-five days, but in the high school, students take the same classes for a semester. “That’s quite a change,” Deb smiled. “When I teach the Introduction to Art class, I want to give the students a sample of all of our studio classes – from sculpture, jewelry making, pottery, design, and drawing. I think that encourages them to try one of our studio classes and shows them that art is much more than painting or drawing. It’s amazing to me how much dedication students have to their assignments. Some of them come in before school and others stay after school in order to continue working on projects. This has been a great year and I’m looking forward to next year.”

Deb and Jackie worked with their students to produce the Alvirne Art Show that was held last week at Hudson Hills House. “We didn’t know how long it would take to setup the art. I already have ideas for expanding the show next year,” Deb said.

This was not their only display endeavor this year. Jackie and Deb have been making their students’ art available in other venues. If you visited the Superintendent’s office, you saw a large display of Alvirne artists’ work. “It’s great to give something back to the community,” she said. “You don’t have to be an artist to appreciate its beauty.”