Dear Riley Friends, colleagues, administrators and especially my students,
I envisioned the last day of my career as art teacher at Riley Elementary as one filled with hugs and a few tears. I would tell my students it was an honor to be their art teacher and I would tell them to never lose their love for art. It would be even more difficult to say goodbye to my sixth graders since I have had most of them since they were in kindergarten. They would be taking the big step to middle school and I would be taking the step into retirement to spend time with family, create my own artwork and move back to my home state of Pennsylvania. I would end by telling them to respect their next art teacher, work hard, and always be kind to one another.
Even though I’m saying goodbye remotely and not from my art room, my message is still the same. My 30 years of teaching passed by quickly and I feel privileged to have had such wonderful students and worked with great teachers and administrators. Being a department co-leader the last two years of my career has made me realize more than ever how powerful art is to our students in this district. I have seen extraordinary talent, great critical thinkers, and watched students better themselves because of their love of art. I have even seen some students grow up and pursue a career in art. My vision is for art to keep growing strong and changing to meet the needs of students. I hope that our parents, teachers and administrators advocate for and support art, understanding the positive impact that it has on our children. I want to thank everyone for all the support of my art program at Riley. It has been greatly appreciated.
“Art education engages head, heart and hands”- NYSATA
Goodbye, stay healthy and keep creating,
Mrs. Woods
I envisioned the last day of my career as art teacher at Riley Elementary as one filled with hugs and a few tears. I would tell my students it was an honor to be their art teacher and I would tell them to never lose their love for art. It would be even more difficult to say goodbye to my sixth graders since I have had most of them since they were in kindergarten. They would be taking the big step to middle school and I would be taking the step into retirement to spend time with family, create my own artwork and move back to my home state of Pennsylvania. I would end by telling them to respect their next art teacher, work hard, and always be kind to one another.
Even though I’m saying goodbye remotely and not from my art room, my message is still the same. My 30 years of teaching passed by quickly and I feel privileged to have had such wonderful students and worked with great teachers and administrators. Being a department co-leader the last two years of my career has made me realize more than ever how powerful art is to our students in this district. I have seen extraordinary talent, great critical thinkers, and watched students better themselves because of their love of art. I have even seen some students grow up and pursue a career in art. My vision is for art to keep growing strong and changing to meet the needs of students. I hope that our parents, teachers and administrators advocate for and support art, understanding the positive impact that it has on our children. I want to thank everyone for all the support of my art program at Riley. It has been greatly appreciated.
“Art education engages head, heart and hands”- NYSATA
Goodbye, stay healthy and keep creating,
Mrs. Woods