Jennifer Prince, elementary art teacher at Neelyville School District, has been named as one of this year’s Teachers of the Year for Neelyville.
With a career spanning over 18 years, Prince’s dedication to her students and passion for art has made her an invaluable asset to the school community, administrators report.
“Mrs. Prince has been teaching art in the district for 18 years and she plays a very important part in all of our programs here. She does decorations, planning anything anybody asks her - she will always help out. And she always does it with a smile and a positive attitude,” Superintendent Heather Black said during the award presentation.
Having initially arrived in Neelyville as an outsider, Prince quickly found her place within the school district and community.
“My husband and I have three children who attend Neelyville school with me. We were Arkansas residents, and I had never even been to Neelyville until I got a call for an interview in 2005. It took a few years, but it has become home, and my coworkers are family,” Prince said.
Since beginning her teaching career in 2005, Prince said she has focused on nurturing young artistic talents in elementary students.
One of the unique aspects of her role, she mentioned, is the opportunity to teach the same students throughout their entire elementary journey.
“I am fortunate because I have the same students from kindergarten to sixth grade and have the opportunity to form lasting relationships with them and watch them grow,” Prince said. “I appreciate that the majority of them look forward to art class and creating with me.”
When asked about a defining moment in her teaching career, Prince said it is the times when students succeed.
“I love those moments when a student tries something they count as challenging and find success,” she said. “When they are proud of something they create when they didn’t think they could do it in the beginning. That’s gold.”
These moments reinforce her love for teaching and remind her of the profound significance of her role in shaping young minds.
Prince attributes her success as an art teacher to her greatest strength — patience.
“My students show up every hour ready for a fun time,” she explained, acknowledging the hands-on nature of art class. “I’ve had to learn to organize the chaos so it can be fun for all of us.”
Additionally, she recognizes that creativity can be challenging for some students.
“It isn’t easy for some people to ‘let go’ and enjoy the process. So again, patience comes into play while encouraging students to enjoy the process and not be so self-critical,” she added.
Beyond her classroom responsibilities, Prince said she actively participates in initiatives that benefit the school community. A few years ago, she spearheaded an art auction in collaboration with the school’s music programs. Collaborative art pieces from each classroom were auctioned off, with the proceeds going toward supporting fellow teachers battling cancer. The funds raised through the art auction since then have contributed to various projects and needs within the school, according to Prince.
“My favorite advice to give other educators would be what was given to me and I try to live by every single day, ‘Treat students how you would want your child treated,’” she said.
She recognizes the responsibility she holds while educating and caring for her students, Prince said. Her hope is to leave a lasting impact on her students by showing them love and approval that goes beyond the realm of art education.