Compassion Inspires Creativity - Teachers Honor Teachers
- Sara Nelson, Honors English Teacher, Timberstone Junior High School, Sylvania
In Elizabeth Schooner’s art classroom, students not only learn about art but also discover the boundless possibilities that lie within themselves.
“In a world often driven by metrics and outcomes, Mrs. Schooner is a beacon of creativity and compassion.”
-Sara Nelson
In the Timberstone Junior High art room, there is a teacher whose love of creation goes beyond the canvas. Elizabeth Schooner is a mentor who ignites each young artist's creative spark.
Mrs. Schooner inspires her kids to use their imaginations and to think beyond the box with gentle advice and unflinching patience. She pushes them to reach new heights and cultivates their abilities even when they doubt themselves. In return, the students grow as both artists and individuals. The students know that she cares, and many report that, because of this, they are comfortable taking risks and expressing themselves. She has created a classroom culture that not only offers critical and constructive support but is a flood of color and excitement.
Mrs. Schooner's curriculum, spanning painting and collages to linocuts and mosaics, is as diverse as her students' imaginations. Each project offers a unique opportunity for self-expression and skill development. Every medium is a gateway to unlocking the potential of her students' creativity. Mrs. Schooner understands that finding your inner artist cannot be rushed and that growth requires time and nurturing. Students explain how she never gives up on them, even when they struggle.
As her colleague, I see a new love, appreciation, and excitement for art building within our school. Her room bursts with creative overflow, and color explodes in the hallway and on bulletin boards. The students look forward to their time in the art room, the challenges, and the opportunity to create. Mrs. Schooner fosters this, and our building is better for it.
In a world often driven by metrics and outcomes, Mrs. Schooner is a beacon of creativity and compassion, reminding us that education should transcend test scores and grade points. In her classroom, students not only learn about art but also discover the boundless possibilities that lie within themselves.
Teachers Honor Teachers
The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation invites teachers to recognize a colleague they know is doing exceptional work in the classroom.
In the above post, Sara Nelson expresses her admiration for fellow teacher, Elizabeth Schooner. 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.