Congratulations to Art Teacher Kirsten Looney who was recognized at the annual FCPS Honors event as the 2018 Region 2 Outstanding Elementary New Teacher and one of five finalists for this year's Outstanding Elementary New Teacher Award!

Ms. Looney's goal is to inspire every student to pursue their creative endeavors. She does this by trying to connect their lives with the art they create, be it picture book illustrations or designs from around the world for Family Reading Night. Ms. Looney seeks to build relationships with students in and out of class, showcases their art on social media, and helps run the yearbook. She even started an afterschool program to develop a schoolwide mural that students will design to help boost pride in Parklawn. “Ms. Looney’s art room is a haven for students,” says a teacher. “It’s a place where everyone has the opportunity to work at their own level and grow as artists.”

• See Ms. Looney's page on the FCPS website.

Congratulations also to the other Parklawn Elementary School staff members recognized at the event.

Outstanding Elementary Teacher School-level Recipient

• Jennifer Reynolds, Preschool Autism Teacher

Outstanding School-based Support Employee School-level Recipient

• Claudia Lupoletti, Instructional Assistant

Thank you to Brooke Allport for all of her hard work with the nomination process by serving as this year's awards liaison.