The Dart: Art teacher enjoys working on cars in his spare time – Daily Leader | Biden News

BROOKHAVEN — As the sun began to set in Brookhaven, Kevin Bauer finished washing his black 2006 Mazda Miata Convertible in his front yard on Brookwood Drive near where The Dart landed. He stopped to talk even though his boots were soaking wet.

Bauer is a Clinton native but moved to Brookhaven in 1999. He is an art teacher at Brookhaven High School, where he is in his 24th year at BHS. Prior to Brookhaven, Bauer spent four years at Laurel, giving him 28 years of teaching experience.

In high school, Bauer said he played football, was in band and enjoyed art classes. As a child, he drew a lot, was fond of music and had an assumption that he would be able to teach art. It was the only thing he did all year.

“My high school art teacher in Clinton helped me get a job here. Now I tell my students, you never know where your work is going to come from,” Bauer said. “My high school principal was also the superintendent here, so he could call the teacher in Clinton.”

He coached football for 25 years until his recent retirement and also coaches cross country where he just completed his fourteenth season with the program.

Outside of school, he plays the drums and sings in the choir at Clear Branch Baptist Church. One of the things he tells his students is to find something they enjoy doing in school outside of class because it will make life more fun. Music and art were two things he enjoyed.

In addition, Bauer works on cars and motorcycles in his spare time. Cleaning your car is one way to eliminate any aggravation.

His students joked that he would never get rid of his van, he said. He sold it a few years ago and bought a Miata. He said it was fun to work on.

“I’ve always wanted a British sports car or a Fiat Spider. My first car was a Fiat Spider and I could never get the engine to run properly,” he said. “My dad had a British sports car. I wanted it, but the Miata cost the same and had all the bells and whistles of air conditioning, an automatic transmission, and a CD player. I’ve been enjoying it so far. My wife and I drove it on a trip. It’s a lot of fun.”

After retiring from football, he had more time to work on cars, mow yards for his fellow teachers, and fix bicycles for neighborhood kids. On the opposite side of the street, a white Volvo from 1964 stands under a canopy. This is a project car that took about 15 years, new Ford Ranger brakes and tires to become drivable. Bauer estimates that he has owned 30 cars in his lifetime.

“10 of them were Volkswagens, eight vans and two Beatles. In college I bought cars and worked on them for a bit before selling them to pay for college,” he said. “Four Mazdas, two Volvos, two Fiats, a Buick and a Pontiac. I’ve always liked cars and I really hate when they sit. I’d better pick them up and go.”

He has four children aged 8, 14, 19 and 23. According to him, the 23-year-old will soon get married. Brookhaven is a great place to live, he added.

“I loved it here,” Bauer said. “I’ve always loved living in Mississippi. Except for the year I lived in Delta. It was too even.”