Success is Reflected in Student Art
- Carol Peterson, Chestnut Hill Elementary School, Painesville
K-5 students at Chestnut Hill Elementary School look forward to Shawn Riley’s art class. She is motivated to help all students succeed, and students are proud of the work they accomplish each week.
“Shawn has developed an art curriculum that incorporates art learning standards with grade-level content across the curriculum.”
-Carol Peterson
I am writing to honor Mrs. Shawn Riley for being an outstanding teacher at Chestnut Elementary in Painesville. Shawn is a K-5th grade art teacher who goes above and beyond for our students and our school. She creates interesting lessons, promotes art throughout the community, and decorates our school with her students’ work.
Shawn has developed an art curriculum that incorporates art learning standards with grade-level content across the curriculum. While learning about national monthly observations, students use various mediums to create artwork that represents different cultures and historical pieces. Shawn often dresses up as specific artists or wears clothing that portrays various artworks.
Shawn promotes student art throughout the community year-round. She collaborates with local restaurants and city buildings to display student work at those establishments. She creates student art displays at local fairs, festivals, and special events. Her students participate in local art contests to promote a clean city and healthy earth. Last year she designed and organized our school's Paint the Plow program, where each student had a chance to paint something on a snowplow.
Finally, Mrs. Riley displays artwork throughout the entire school -- in the hallways, conference rooms, and display cases. She spends endless hours hanging and changing out student projects each week. Shawn is a caring colleague who works with staff to create their bulletin boards. In addition, she supports building initiatives by creating backgrounds for One School One Book, winter and spring concerts, and canvases that hang permanently in the halls. She is also an active member of our Building Leadership Team, which helps determine building initiatives, procedures, and school climate.
Our students love Shawn’s art class. They always look forward to their next project and are proud of their work at the end of each week.
Shawn is an outstanding teacher and deserves this recognition.
Teachers Honor Teachers
The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation launched a new program last fall inviting teachers to recognize a colleague they know is doing exceptional work in the classroom.
In the above post, Carol Peterson expresses her admiration for fellow teacher, Shawn Riley. Thank you to both educators for your dedication to students and for taking the time to showcase what it means to deliver challenging, innovative, and student-centered lessons that result in powerful and deep learning.
Through the Teachers Honor Teachers Program, The Foundation is seeking Ohio public school teachers to share great things about a teaching colleague in an Ohio public school that ensures deep learning for students. If we choose to post your story, we will award $500 toward that teacher's classroom for their great work and $500 toward your classroom for honoring their excellence. Apply here.