South Lincoln grad teaches art in his hometown

Zach Silverthorne is back in the halls of South Lincoln High School, years after graduation.

He now teaches the visual arts class at South Lincoln. Silverthorne was born and raised in Smithville, attending College Street School and then South Lincoln before heading to the University of Guelph where he studied fine arts and art history.

“I like art and I’m good at it. I’ve always excelled in the arts,” he explained. “Although I enjoyed it, I thought, ‘what am I going to do with it?’”

He decided to pursue a teaching career, and graduated from D’Youville Teacher’s College.

“I’m the oldest of five children, so I’ve always been a leader-type… Teaching was a great fit for me,” he explained.

Silverthorne also played football for the University of Guelph and was looking forward to coaching as well as teaching at the high school where he graduated.

“I consider myself very lucky to be able to do two things I’m good at and I enjoy,” he said.

He is now the head coach of the South Lincoln Bears football team.

He admits, at first coming back to his old high school took some getting used to.

“At first it was a little weird being back here because people recognize me… Some of the people I went to high school with, I’m now teaching their kids,” he said.

Working in the community he grew up in and now raises his own family in, makes him take a little more pride in his work, he said.