About me
Jennifer Best is a veteran teacher who has taught at Fairless Local Schools in Stark County for 21 years. She spent thirteen years teaching in a third-grade classroom and then continued her career by teaching grades K-5 in the art room. The art room where she welcomes her students is based on a “Studio Habits of Mind” approach, where students have a choice in their creativity. She has found that this approach not only inspires young artists to create on their own, but take the role as a true artist in their own studio. It has also been a huge factor in classroom management and behavior.
Students in grade K-2 level up to this approach, while grades 3-5 are completely independent in choosing studios that consist of painting, fibers, architecture, collage, jewelry making, and drawing. During the school year, “Pop-Up” studios also occur which include local community service art projects, which the students love.
While giving opportunity to her young artists to create by choice is key, Jennifer’s true passion is building relationships with her community through art with her students being the key component in that connection.
Through the elementary art program, she has been able to connect with area businesses, make contributions to area food cupboards, contribute to community events, hospitals, and just last year had a historical art installation created in one their community’s local parks. For Jennifer, it is most important that her students learn to give back to the community that supports all that they do. She feels when students learn their contributions make a difference in the world at a young age, they will continue to contribute to society in this way also as an adult. It is then when students learn that being the “BEST” artist in the world is not that important, but being the “BEST” human can make all of the difference in the world.
