Columbus art teacher who was reminded by students after tragic death

Columbus, Ohio-a 46-year-old art teacher at the Marion-Franklin High School, was found dead on Sunday afternoon after she was allegedly strangled by her friend in her apartment in Columbus, according to police and court records.

Rachel Prince, who was described by students as a beloved pedagogue and mentor, was declared dead for totally dead when the Columbus police reacted to the incident. Court files indicate that Prince was strangled to death by her friend Jason Palmer, who lived with her.

Relatives: Woman killed in Northwest Columbus was a CCS art teacher

The news destroyed the students of the Marion-Franklin High School, where Prince taught art and established close relationships with many of their students.

“She was a great woman, a great teacher, a great friend,” said Careem Elkins, a former student of Prince.

Elkins emphasized the deep influence that Prince had beyond the classroom.

“For some of us, she was more like a parent, a best friend,” said Elkins.

Elkins described the emotional tribute that the news about the students of Prince had raised.

“It was a super difficult time to know how it went past and how everything went down,” said Elkins. “When I came from work, I just started roaring and crying.”

Elkins said he and his friends support each other through the grief and choose to concentrate on positive memories of their teacher. He remembered how Prince encouraged him despite his own doubts about his skills in his works of art.

“She got me out of my comfort zone to help me draw, draw and draw,” said Elkins. “How, I can hardly draw a straight line and even if it looked like garbage, she was always, you know: 'Oh no, that's great. It looks good.'”

He added that Prince's teaching philosophy left a lasting impression.

“The largest lesson she taught me is never to give up. Even if it is a grumpy straight line, everything can be transformed into a nice thing.”