Something special is happening at Fayette Middle School

Something

special is happening at Fayette Middle School

I walked into

Fayette Middle School last Tuesday, April 18, to view the

art show that the school was hosting. There were so many

works of art on display, something special from each

class, even a room full of paintings and artworks from

the faculty. I thought there was a stereo playing

classical music, when to my delight, I realized there

were three young ladies playing flutes.

I want to

tell you about the special art teacher, Ellen Mitchell,

along with the principal, Mike Maxwell, who deserve so

much recognition. They are the type of educators that are

so necessary in our society today. They realize how

different we all are. And that if our differences can he

recognized, not ignored, and put on display, that art

comes in many forms.

Our son

Adam, typically, does not come home shouting about

wonderful things that happened to him in school. He has

always loved art projects, and has always spoken to us of

his art teacher, Ellen Mitchell. She did something

extraordinary for many that day, she noticed. She noticed

that Adam was drawing pictures of skaters, and asked him

if he would put together an outside program with his

friends, to show their skating abilities. Of course, he

was more than happy to oblige.

These guys

put together a wonderful test of balance, nerve and

extreme ability. They have a language all their own. It

includes these terms: U.F.O, vert, street, misty flip,

royale, grind, just to name a few. To watch them is to

understand them. To me, it is like watching acrobatics,

gymnastics, with a twist of anything goes, and it is so

enjoyable. Skaters and skateboarders are always given a

bad name.

I wanted to

give a very special thank-you to Mike Maxwell and Ellen

Mitchell for having extreme vision. There is so much

worry in our school systems today, that more educators

should realize that it takes principals and teachers who

take the time to realize and recognize the talents of all

their students.

My son is

not an honor roll student, but I never felt more proud of

him, and the rest of the guys pouring their hearts out on

the pavement that day, proud to be part of a school

activity that included them.

Sabrina Bazydlo

Fayetteville