Natasha Watts hired to teach computer classes

In 2002, Natasha Watts was in her twenties enjoying her college experience at Hazard Community and Technical College as a student and now after 12 years, she s back fulfilling her goal of teaching computer classes. HCTC plays an important role in the vitality of Eastern Kentucky and I want to be part of that, she said.

Students enjoy Natasha s approach to teaching. I like to teach through project-based work when possible. I love having discussions with my students and engaging in meaningful questions.

Watts is currently working to obtain her Ed.D. in Educational Technology from Morehead State University; she earned her bachelor s and master s degrees from Eastern Kentucky University.

Prior to becoming a faculty member at HCTC, Natasha worked at Hospice of the Bluegrass as a Provider Liaison; was an adjunct instructor at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College; served as Director, Educator and Lead Media Trainer at the Appalachian Media Institute, a project of Appalshop Incorporated; worked at Lotts Creek Community School and Cordia High School as Art and Media instructor; Coordinator of the Appalachian Minute at EKU where she coordinated radio programs for WEKU, an NPR affiliate that covered issues that Eastern Kentucky communities face; and did a stint at EKU as a Media Assistant in the Training Resource Center.

Watts is a grant recipient for the film Dirt, a documentary about a 92-year-old retired teacher and gardener in Whitesburg. She was also a Woodrow Wilson Public Scholarship student for documenting the making of Thoughts in the Presence of Fear, a film by Herb E. Smith which translated the essay Thoughts in the Presence of Fear written by Wendell Berry.

Watts grew up in Blackey along Highway 7 in Letcher County. She and her husband, Bruce, have worked hard to make careers in the region while providing for their 3-year-old son, Finnegan. The family enjoys local hiking spots, visits to the zoo, and anything that is toddler friendly.