Reaching Out and Involving Everyone

Just mention Ankeney Middle School at any gathering in Beavercreek, Ohio, and someone is bound to say, “Oh, I worked on their character education mural.” Over 2,500 individuals, ranging in age from two to 91—teachers, administrators, support staff, students, families, board members, senior citizens, community members—joined hands to create a dazzling mural that dominates the school’s main foyer. Composed of 3,000 hand-made tiles, this impressive mosaic depicts a charger (Ankeney student) armed with a shield (emblazoned with six pillars of character education) on his quest to the castle (the high school).When the school’s Character Education Committee sought a project to unify the school, this mural, the brainchild of art teacher Melissa Clark, seemed a natural. Not only did it involve the community as a partner, but it also emphasized how the school uses the six pillars of respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, citizenship, and caring to prepare the Ankeney student for his upward journey. Read more >>

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