Montlake’s Jennifer Lundgren is WAEA’s Elementary Art Educator of the Year. (Jennifer) Heller and Lundgren are among five award recipients statewide who will be honored at the WAEA Fall Conference in Leavenworth on Oct. 24.
Both teachers share the conviction that art class should serve as a refuge and an outlet – especially for stressed or struggling students.
“The kids who maybe don’t really shine in their classroom come in here and they can just – we like to say – let their freak flag fly a little,” says Lundgren. “They find their voice in here. It’s really great and powerful to see.”