We are so thrilled to introduce you to our May 2019 Arts Educator of the Month, Ms. Allison Smith. Allison is a spectacular K-4 art teacher at Galapagos Rockford Charter School in Rockford, Illinois. She is beloved at her school and because of her strong instructional and planning skills, serves as a model to her colleagues school-wide. She is dedicated to her scholars and regularly finds innovative and creative ways to encourage the pursuit of the arts not just at school but at home and in the community.
Allison was nominated by her supervisor, Stephanie Boeddeker. Read her nomination below to learn more about the incredible work that she is doing in her role as art teacher!
Congratulations, Ms. Smith! Thank you for your vital contributions to arts education.
Why do you think this arts educator deserves to be nominated?
Allison is dedicated to the achievement of her scholars in art and all subject areas. She serves as a model for our instructors within her content and through her planning and organization in her classroom.
Tell us how this arts educator has gone above and beyond to help students.
Allison encourages scholars to create and become an artist outside of the walls of her classroom. She ALWAYS has new and fresh displays of scholar artwork in the halls and takes the time to articulate what scholars are learning via their projects. She has taken initiative to create an art show for parents and makes art an important part of the curriculum in our school.
How would students describe this arts educator?
Scholars say Mrs. Smith is patient, caring, fun, and a great artist!
Please share the innovative and creative ways that this educator is teaching the arts.
One of my favorite things that Allison does is a display she creates in the hall outside her classroom called the "Art Challenge Board". She encourages scholars to make art at home and bring it to her to display proudly. She tries to find ways to connect her content with scholars in their everyday life and encourage them to continue their journey as artists.
What distinguishes this arts educator from their peers?
Allison really knows and understands scholars' academic levels outside of the art classroom. She takes time to understand what they are learning in other classes and supports them in other academic areas. She knows how to make her content important, while also investing herself in the school as a whole.
