Barbara Shaffer has served as a leader in District 214, championing art education programs by working to aid and support her colleagues fulfill their roles as teachers and mentors to help all students succeed. In her 26 years as an art teacher in the district, Barbara has mentored and inspired countless students and teachers alike. A relentless advocate for the arts ensuring the strength and future of the visual arts for all students Barbara Shaffer’s impact on the District 214 fine arts programs has been profound.
Barbara’s passion and dedication to students and their artistic development has been of the highest quality throughout her career. She is an exceptionally talented artist in her own right, but her intelligence, wisdom, tenacity and generosity set her apart. Barbara’s continual commitment to her practice as a painter is both personal and professional -inspiring her students and informing her instructional practices in the classroom. Her students learn work ethic, problem-solving and creative expression through her excellent teaching. Barbara has guided thousands of art students in their development as artists. She works tirelessly to help students with art show entries, scholarship applications, and portfolio applications. Her students have been awarded numerous scholarships and accolades such as the Gold Key in Scholastics, under her tutelage. Barbara’s students are loyal and continue to share with her their journeys in the art world, far beyond graduation. She attends their college art shows and has organized alumni art shows at Prospect High School. Her desire to see her students succeed has been paramount, creating pathways for artistic growth that are unparalleled.
Barbara is the driving force vital to the success of District 214 art programs. Barbara is a highly respected mentor to the arts teachers of our district, feeder schools and neighboring high school districts. Many colleagues have sought her guidance for one issue or another asking her to weigh in on all important issues affecting their department. She often serves as a sounding board advising colleagues to do what is best for students and fine art programs. “What would Barbara do?” a question many ask themselves when faced with professional decisions. Barbara is caring, patient, and thoughtful in guiding arts teachers through the constantly changing demands of education. She is able to advise and guide while maintaining a sense of humor, always keeping humanity in the equation.
For her entire career Barbara has advocated for the arts and served her colleagues, whether it be through her leadership in a multitude of art shows such as the Harper Area High School Art Show, bringing art programs to PHS as an Arts Unlimited Coordinator, or her longtime position as secretary for the Education Association. As the unofficial chair of the monthly district art meetings, Barbara has facilitated her colleagues to regularly and continually have important discussions about curriculum, share best practices, and frame our goals within the Illinois State Art Standards, thereby crafting a vision for the visual arts in District 214. Barbara’s contributions are beyond outstanding. She leaves a legacy of service to the visual arts when she retires this spring.
Barbara’s passion and dedication to students and their artistic development has been of the highest quality throughout her career. She is an exceptionally talented artist in her own right, but her intelligence, wisdom, tenacity and generosity set her apart. Barbara’s continual commitment to her practice as a painter is both personal and professional -inspiring her students and informing her instructional practices in the classroom. Her students learn work ethic, problem-solving and creative expression through her excellent teaching. Barbara has guided thousands of art students in their development as artists. She works tirelessly to help students with art show entries, scholarship applications, and portfolio applications. Her students have been awarded numerous scholarships and accolades such as the Gold Key in Scholastics, under her tutelage. Barbara’s students are loyal and continue to share with her their journeys in the art world, far beyond graduation. She attends their college art shows and has organized alumni art shows at Prospect High School. Her desire to see her students succeed has been paramount, creating pathways for artistic growth that are unparalleled.
Barbara is the driving force vital to the success of District 214 art programs. Barbara is a highly respected mentor to the arts teachers of our district, feeder schools and neighboring high school districts. Many colleagues have sought her guidance for one issue or another asking her to weigh in on all important issues affecting their department. She often serves as a sounding board advising colleagues to do what is best for students and fine art programs. “What would Barbara do?” a question many ask themselves when faced with professional decisions. Barbara is caring, patient, and thoughtful in guiding arts teachers through the constantly changing demands of education. She is able to advise and guide while maintaining a sense of humor, always keeping humanity in the equation.
For her entire career Barbara has advocated for the arts and served her colleagues, whether it be through her leadership in a multitude of art shows such as the Harper Area High School Art Show, bringing art programs to PHS as an Arts Unlimited Coordinator, or her longtime position as secretary for the Education Association. As the unofficial chair of the monthly district art meetings, Barbara has facilitated her colleagues to regularly and continually have important discussions about curriculum, share best practices, and frame our goals within the Illinois State Art Standards, thereby crafting a vision for the visual arts in District 214. Barbara’s contributions are beyond outstanding. She leaves a legacy of service to the visual arts when she retires this spring.