PORT SALERNO, Fla. (CBS12) — Teacher Feature is sponsored by Baker & Disalvo Personal Injury Law.
School is officially back in session this week, but we’re still continuing to highlight teachers who went above and beyond spring semester.
CBS12 News’ next “Teacher Feature” is Ashley Monks, who works at Port Salerno Elementary School and has been an art teacher for the Martin County School District for 17 years.
“Not all of us are great at sports or academics. And this class, I just love it. And I love art. And my personal art is like displaying their art. So I love making product or production. I sort of think of myself as a production artist,” said Monks. “I love just showing the students how much I love their art. And we do so much more. Um, if you look around my room, we have a lot of science. We have a lot of math and ELA in my classroom. So I’m helping out teachers by bringing in that extra support. Um, probably almost every single project has dealt with science this last semester. And I really love that.”
Monks is known for transforming the halls of Port Salerno Elementary into a vibrant showcase for student creativity.
“I wanted to showcase their art and, you know, as an art teacher, you don’t really get to do and showcase your own personal art. So my art is displaying their art. Sort of like a production artist. You know, we build these massive things for people’s businesses and that’s what I do for them. They’re my business. You know, like I love creating great displays, posters with information.”
Monks describes the art displays on the hall walls as mirroring a professional setup.
“It looks like a mini museum display and the children love it. They love it when I change it out. They love when they see their own art in the frames. So, it was a great addition,” said Monks.
Monks tells us it’s important as a teacher to inspire students to be creative through their artwork.
“We always strive for our students to do the best that they can do and creativity just gives that that extra spark. Whether you have, whether you have creativity or not, I like to just push them a little bit more to do something extra that they like, right?” said Monks.
Monks’ own two kids also grew up going through Port Salerno Elementary, something that makes the experience that much more special for her.
“It’s like my home. Like, seriously, it, it is. Um, we, we as an adult, we grew up throughout this school, my husband and I, and now I’m here and I probably won’t be leaving anytime soon,” said Monks.
Monks says as great as art is with bringing the students creative minds to life, her class is also meant to teach them social and emotional learning as well.
So, learning to treat each other and the tools the way you would want to be treated. Monks says it’s also important to teach her students young how to clean up after themselves and not rely on others to do that for you.