Mosaic Mural for Retiring Teacher
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In her 5 years as a teacher (13 t Rosa Parks Schoo) in Berkeley, California, Cheri Hinkley expertly mentored her classes of young children while also contributing greatl the greening of Rosa Parks School’s campus and programming. In honor of her retirement this spring, the school community created a special mural that was installed on the school campus as a surprise, at the end of May.
The project was spearheaded by teachers Michelle Contreras and Kathleen Gadway, and included the assistance of first grade students, parents and many others in the school community. The Kids-n-Clay pottery studio in the neighborhood also helped with a portion of the mosaic, by firing a ceramic plaque with a dedication inscription to Cheri.
The mosaic depicts a vibrant school garden with flowers, plants, butterflies, bees and other birds and creatures. It now adorns a wall along the edge of the playground, where children and adults can see it and enjoy it every day.
Contributed by Michelle Contreras
Photos by Sharon Danks and Michael Colombo
Berkeley, CA
Green Schoolyards America is proud to feature Living Schoolyard Month celebrations that were held in May across the state of California. If you celebrated and would like to be featured here, send photos and a brief description to info (at) greenschoolyards (dot) org. —GSA