Totally overwhelmed and flabbergasted.
Those were the words Clarkston Junior High School art teacher Claudia Keglovitz used to describe her reaction to learning she’d been selected 2008 Teacher of the Year.
The honor’bestowed annually since 1993 by the Clarkston Foundation for Public Education’was set up to recognize outstanding teachers within the Clarkston Community School District.
The organization, which until recently was known as the Clarkston Foundation, accepts nominations each year for teachers in predetermined, rotating categories.
This year, five finalists were selected from a pool of about 15 nominees in ‘specialty areas? such as music, physical education, art and special education.
All nominees received classroom grants from the foundation, as well as gift certificates from local businesses.
The winner, in addition, had the opportunity to drive off the lot at Suburban Ford of Waterford with a new car’free for one year.
Keglovitz said she never expected to win.
‘All the teachers who were up there with me are so deserving,? she said. ‘I felt honored just to come to the breakfast and be a part of a group like that.?
But with 20 years teaching experience behind her?14 in Clarkston’s middle and junior high schools’those who nominated Keglovitz were more than happy to paint a picture of her dedication and deservedness.
‘She’s an incredible art teacher,? said CJHS Principal Shawn Ryan. ‘But she doesn’t just teach her subject matter’she really has a passion for working with kids, and a passion for education as a whole.?
Ryan said Keglovitz makes a practice of working with teachers across the curriculum as she looks for ways to incorporate other subjects’science, history and math, for example’into unique projects to challenge her students.
‘She really has insight into the big picture of education,? he said. ‘Kids in her classes are positive and proud of what they do, and very supportive of one another. You don’t go into her classroom and get the feeling there’s any one best artist.?
Instead, he explained, students are encouraged to create works that express personality and personal creativity.
Ryan also said Keglovitz is seen as a ‘cheerleader? for the adults around the school, and whether a staff member is experiencing a difficult time, or celebrating happy news, she has the ‘uncanny ability? to make sure everyone feels supported.
‘She’s a tremendous asset to our school, and to the whole district,? Ryan said.
And the kids like her, too.
‘She’s really laid back,? said ninth-grader Emalee Harding. ‘She doesn’t stress you out and she’s really easy to talk to. She makes you want to be in her class.?
Across the table, working on a final art project, fellow ninth-grader Alex Byrd agreed.
‘She’s someone you can go to,? Byrd said. ‘She’s a nice person. She’s always bubbly and happy.?
Keglovitz founded the school Art Club, which is now in its fifth year and run with student direction. This year, projects involving clay, Indian ink, and calligraphy were popular with the 35-member club.
In May, a grant from the school PTA allowed her to take the club, along with her advanced art class, on a field trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts in downtown Detroit.
Keglovitz also runs the district’s summer Art Camp, and volunteers for community youth in several capacities.
The kids of the community are important’they’re the reason she does what she does.
‘I feel as if I have a huge responsibility to be a role model, a good citizen and someone who cares,? she said. ‘And I do’I care deeply about each of my kids and their success.?
In her classroom, Keglovitz wants her students, each and evhe sometimes difficult adolescent experience, and she works to create a positive, productive environment.
And her approach seems successful’as she helps one student with a project, Keglovitz chats with another about a dance class. One after one, the kids approach with a barrage of questions about the upcoming final, about their projects, about whether or not they’re allowed in the school courtyard to work on ‘direct observation? drawing.
As lunchtime approaches, one young man wonders if she has change for a five.
She thinks she does.
The kids are obviously comfortable with her, and they are obviously her priority.
‘Most days they’re mature, caring and fun,? she said. ‘Their sense of humor is endless’there’s never a dull moment working with teenagers.?
And while she enjoys working with junior high-age kids, she also enjoys working at Clarkston Junior High School, where, she said, teachers, administrators and staff treat one another with respect and are often looking for ways to help one another and work together on problems or projects.
In fact, she said, her Teacher of the Year award is a reflection on the ‘positive environment? at CJHS.
?(Principal) Shawn Ryan is so incredibly supportive of the art program,? she said. ‘He’s an excellent leader for our school.?
Support from administration, she said, makes a big difference to the projects and programs she’s able to offer students.
And to her, those programs and project are important for the kids.
‘It’s absolutely critical for kids to have an art experience, whether it’s visual art, music, drama or some other form,? she said. ‘The whole idea is to produce a well-rounded individual with heart, character and the sense of joy and creativity.?
According to Sherrie VanderVeen, past president and this year’s Teacher of the Year Chairperson for the Clarkston Foundation for Public Education, Keglovitz was just the kind of theacher the group was looking for.
‘Ultimately, we have to choose that one teacher that best exemplifies what’s great about teaching,? VanderVeen said. ‘We look for those who are just so passionate about what they do that they help students develop a love of learning.?
This year, she said, choosing a winner from five finalists was anything but easy.
‘It was difficult choice,? she explained. ‘Any one of them could have been Teacher of the Year. They were all exceptional.?
Previously, the foundation notified recipients before the award reception.
This year, however, winners and well-wishers alike were held in suspense until the June 3 breakfast at the Fountains Golf and Banquet Center.
For Keglovitz, the attention was a bit overwhelming.
? I don’t mind being a star in my own classroom and making a fool out of myself in front of the kids,? she said. ‘But out in the community, that’s different. I work with so many great people who deserve this. I’m very honored.?
Keglovitz also wanted to express gratitude for support from the Clarkston Foundation for Public Education.
In a grant unrelated to her June 3 award, Keglovitz and fellow art teacher Dawn Gimbutis recently received an $800 grant for clay, glaze and other supplies, which was used for pottery making as students studied Mayan culture in a cross-curriculum project.
Although Keglovitz has what she calls a ‘dinky? studio in her Springfield Township home, where she enjoys creating her own art working in mixed media, a fulltime career, family and a number of other community activities don’t allow much extra time.
She and her husband, Jim, an Oakland County planner, have been married for 21 years. Their son, Clay, is a sophomore at Clarkston High School.