Spotlight on: Heather McCutcheon
April 2025 High School Teacher of the Month
The Student Council decides monthly student and teacher awards with a specific category each month. The category for April 2025 was “most artistic” for students and “most creative” for teachers.
The Senior Student of the Month awards go to two seniors per month who are nominated and voted on by Student Council members in grades 9-11.
The High School Teacher of the Month award goes to one teacher per month who is nominated and voted on by Student Council members in grades 9-12. All Teachers of the Month become eligible to become Teacher of the Year in June.
The April 2025 Senior Students of the Month are Lilia McLean and Jillian Hutchinson, and the April 2025 High School Teacher of the Month is Heather McCutcheon.
Below is a Q&A with Heather McCutcheon:
Subject/Grade Level: Grades 8-12 visual and digital arts (also administrative intern this school year)
Q. What’s your favorite way to bring creativity into the classroom?
A. One of my favorite ways to foster creativity in the classroom is by building relationships and enthusiasm for personal art and self-expression. I achieve this by engaging with students about their interests, passions and experiences. The more we learn about one another, the more fun and creative our projects can become!
Q. Describe a lesson or project you’re especially proud of.
A. One project I take particular pride in is a unit titled “Personal Branding.” Over the years, I’ve implemented this lesson in various classes and formats. The goal is for students to explore their identities and discover what sets them apart. They develop a personal brand for themselves in a digital format, and as a creative extension of this project, they design promotional items like shirts, keychains and other merchandise.
Q. Where do you find inspiration for your creative ideas?
A. I find inspiration for my creative ideas from everywhere. Conversations with fellow art teachers, other creative individuals, students and family members often spark new thoughts. Creativity truly exists all around us. Whether it’s nature, architecture or the everyday interactions with people in my life, there’s always a fresh idea waiting to be discovered.
Q. How do you encourage creativity in your students?
A. Just as I find my inspiration in everything and everyone, I encourage students to do the same.
Q. What’s a fun or unexpected tool you love using in your teaching?
A. I am stumped with this one. The iPad? I use it in a variety of ways and apps to teach and integrate technology into my lessons.
Q. What’s one piece of advice you have for teachers looking to add more creativity to their lessons?
A. For those teachers looking to add more creativity to their lessons, I would advise to look around you and talk to others. Creativity plays a vital role in every lesson, enhancing not only our understanding of the subject matter but also our ability to think critically and solve problems. By collaborating and sharing ideas with others, we can spark new insights and inspire innovative approaches to learning. Embracing creativity enriches our educational experience and fosters a more dynamic and engaging environment.