End of an era

Willow art teacher hangs up her easel after 25 years

May 13, 2007

By Jodi Snyder/ For the Frontiersman

Willow Elementary, like most schools, has seen its share of budget cuts over the years and has sometimes struggled to make ends meat. The school has had one advantage that other grade schools in the borough don't have: An art program.

That comes to an end this school year. After a quarter century of educating youngsters about art it's time for Cheryl Heikes to take a well-deserved retirement.

Heikes has worked there for 25 years, serving as the art teacher and librarian. She started as an aide, and in time she was upgraded to a tutor-advisor. But the position has never been certified. That has worked to the school's advantage.

&#8220They would have likely cut the program long ago if it were a certified position,” said Principal Alberta Nordberg.

Nordberg said Willow is the last borough elementary school to have an art program. She credits Heikes' dedication to the school and its students.

Heikes, who trained as a fine artist and ran her own watercolor business, had children attending Willow School back in the 1980s. She substitute taught there on occasion. She was approached by the principal to consider applying as an aide so she could start an art program.

&#8220I took it, and I've really loved it,” she said.

As with most rural schools, Heikes' position includes more than running the art program. She also serves as the school's librarian. And while she felt completely at home in the art arena, she felt less prepared to run the small library.

&#8220The library was so tiny,” laughed Heikes. &#8220We still had books with the little library cards in the back.” She worked with June Newman at the Willow Public Library to prepare for her new job.

She easily could have moved on, gone elsewhere, made more money, and used her notable talents in other ways. But she stayed, and has no regrets about the job.

&#8220You can't compare it to any other job,” said Heikes.

&#8220I get to see every student twice a week, once for library and once for art. And I get just as much joy out of seeing a kid reading a good book as I get working with a kid on an art project. I feel lucky to be a part of both worlds. It's pure joy.”

Art lessons started out as &#8220art on a cart.” Heikes would roll the supplies into the classroom and teach the kids where they sat. Today she has an art room where children come to class.

&#8220Now all the supplies are in one place, everything is organized,” Heikes said proudly.

Heikes runs the library in the morning, and spends her afternoons in the art room.

While she tries to motivate and inspire her students, she doesn't make their art projects simple or easy. From the beginning, Heikes said, she tries not to give the students specific directives.

&#8220There is always the object of the lesson,” she said, &#8220something as basic as shape or color, and we discuss that, but they create everything, put everything together.”

Mary Shreves' daughter, Elizabeth Anderson, participated in Heikes art classes at Willow Elementary from kindergarten through second-grade.

&#8220I was so impressed with all the methods and mediums she used,” said Shreves. &#8220Nothing was ordinary. It was all so amazing.”

Shreves she saved all her daughter's works and plans to frame them for her.

When Shreves made the decision to move her daughter to Midnight Sun charter school as a third-grader, she said it was difficult to leave the art program at Willow School.

&#8220Leaving Cheryl and her art classes was one of the hardest parts of my decision. I knew she was irreplaceable,” said Shreves. &#8220I doubt this school district fully appreciated what they had with her."

The teacher is modest about her accomplishments. &#8220If people say I am good at what I do, then it's only because I've learned along the way, with the kids,” she said.

Heikes has managed to provide art inspiration to two-and-a-half decades of Alaska's school kids, including a few who have gone on to become noted artists.

&#8220Some classes are just more teachable. It's just the dynamics of some groups,” she said. &#8220And some students are so talented; you try to inspire them to continue.”

But Heikes seems especially fond of her more challenging students.

&#8220There are those kids who can't sit still for anything,” she said. &#8220But they will sit still for art. I try to encourage them.”

The motivation and inspiration Heikes gives her students was obvious during the spring art show, held May 2 at the school. Knowing it was her last, Heikes created a memorable display, making the end of year art show even bigger and better than usual.

At an assembly that afternoon, Heikes dedicated the final art show, gesturing around the room of students and staff, in a broken voice, &#8220Što all of you.”

With no skilled artist on staff and with funding unresolved for now, many parents have expressed concern over losing the art program. Heikes worries, too.

&#8220I am hopeful, but I worry about the program once I am gone,” Heikes said.

&#8220There is no time for art anymore, with all the focus on the No Child Left Behind act,” Heikes said. &#8220Parents need to be active in the school. They need to demand music and art programs, and speak out in support of them, if they want these programs for their kids.”