Wednesday, October 18, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
GUNNARSON: Teacher
is also a graduate of
Sisters High School
Continued from page 1
art teachers who exemplify
the mission of the Oregon
Art Education Association
to advocate for the advance-
ment and expansion of quality
visual arts education.
“Bethany’s focus is on
creating opportunities for
each student. When visiting
Bethany’s class it’s easy to
observe that she creates indi-
vidual plans for each student.
The students in Bethany’s
class always seem to be
focused and often working
independently. When visit-
ing her class there’s usually
multiple types of art projects
happening in one single class.
It’s amazing how there’s so
much going on in the class but
there’s a calmness in the class
that’s positive and conducive
to learning. Additionally,
Bethany will spend her time
working with other teachers
and doing outreach with the
community. Two years ago
Bethany gave up a week of
her summer to be trained in
the instructional strategies
of Advanced Placement Art.
Since that time a half a dozen
students have taken AP Art.”
Gunnarson’s colleagues
at SHS were quick to add
to the praise shared by the
Association, since learning of
her honor last week.
Humanities teacher Gail
Greaney said, “Having both
taught on staff with Bethany
and having had my own
kids in her classes, I can
unequivocally say that this
is a well-deserved award.
Obviously she is a talented
artist herself, as well as an
outstanding teacher. Every
time I am in her art room, stu-
dents are engaged and happy
to be there. There are so many
things going on — and the
atmosphere is energized and
positive.
“As a teacher I’m most
impressed with how she man-
ages to differentiate for every
single student she has in her
room. As a parent, I’m most
impressed with how she is
able to tease out a love of
art from students who never
considered themselves artis-
tic. And as just a person, I’m
most impressed with how she
has created a safe space that is
accepting to all students. Kids
love being in the art room and
choose to go there whenever
they have a chance. That’s the
sign of a true educator.”
Music teacher Rick
Johnson works closely with
Gunnarson and appreciates
her “team mindset” when it
comes to the arts.
“Bethany is an ultimate
team player who embraces
her own art department and
the other departments in the
school,” he said. “Every other
year, the Sisters High School
Choir, band, and art depart-
ments join forces to create a
full-stage high school musical.
Bethany’s creative energy and
positive attitude pushes her art
students to create incredible
scenery, set pieces, and post-
ers for the show. I respect and
appreciate her talent, dedica-
tion, and drive.”
Samra Spear views
Gunnarson’s program as a key
to the culture of SHS.
“Bethany embraces the
unique culture of SHS,” said
Spear. “She cares about each
and every student she comes in
contact with and assists each
one to tap into his/her creativ-
ity. I am continually impressed
with what Bethany’s stu-
dents produce, and I know
it is only with her guidance,
direction and encouragement
that they are able to do so.”
Gunnarson felt humbled
and honored at the ceremony.
“As I attended the Oregon
Art Education Association
conference yesterday, I looked
around the room and as always
was amazed at the great teach-
ers we are blessed to have
in the state of Oregon,” she
said. “To receive this award
amongst those peers, and to be
nominated by them, was really
cool.”
Gunnarson acknowledged
the Sisters community for its
support of the arts.
“I’m so thankful to live
in a place where the arts are
valued, so that I can focus
on teaching well and not bat-
tling for acceptance,” she
said. “Our program has been
so well supported by our local
foundations, specifically the
Sisters Schools Foundation,
Roundhouse Foundation, and
Sisters Folk Festival, who all
have made sure the art depart-
ment is thriving by providing
funds, outreach, and connec-
tion to a greater art commu-
nity. I’m so lucky!”
23
Movie depicts
wildland firefighters
Sisters knows well the grit
and sacrifice displayed by
wildland firefighting crews.
The movie Only the Brave,
which will open in Sisters
on its national release date,
Friday, October 20, brings
their difficult and dangerous
work vividly to life.
“We had to scrap a little
to get this picture, as it is not
being released that widely
by the studio (Sony),” said
Drew Kaza, co-owner of
Sisters Movie House, “but we
explained that the heroics of
our firefighters have been on
everybody’s minds here for
months.”
Only the Brave is being
lauded for its accurate por-
trayal of what wildland
firefighters do, telling the
story of the ill-fated Granite
Mountain Hot Shots, who
battled the Yarnell Hill fire in
Arizona in 2013.
“We know action super-
heroes are all in vogue these
days but we happen to appre-
ciate those movies that depict
our everyday real-life heroes
just a little bit more,” Kaza
said. “We think the good
folks of Sisters and neigh-
boring areas might feel the
same — and this movie pro-
vides a glimpse into a voca-
tion and calling that few of
us can properly appreciate
without being there. Kudos
to the film-makers for taking
us there. We’re very pleased
to be able to bring this to
Sisters, especially given the
record number of wildfires –
and firefighters battling them
– in Oregon this year.”
For show times visit www.
sistersmoviehouse.com.
Sisters salutes...
Sisters Christian
Academy (SCA) offered
a big thank you to Wade at
Melvin’s Newport Market
for opening up Melvin’s
parking lot and supplying
coffee for the SCA carwash
last Saturday. It was a very
fun event. The SCA eighth
grade class would also like
to thank Ace Hardware for
generously donating car
wash supplies. What a fabu-
lous community we live in!
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