Jackie Ellet, a fine arts specialist at Gwinnett County's Duncan Creek Elementary, has been named by the National Art Education Association as the organization's 2012 Southeastern Art Educator of the Year. The program recognizes the outstanding service of educators, focuses professional attention on quality art education and exemplary art educators, and increases public awareness of the importance of quality art education. Earlier this year, Ellet was honored at the state level as the 2012 Georgia Art Education Association Art Educator of the Year. She helped open Duncan Creek Elementary in 2004 and has worked for Gwinnett schools for 26 years.
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Alpharetta High School, Chattahoochee High School and Johns Creek High School in North Fulton have earned invitations to perform in the Midwest Clinic, a prestigious international band and orchestra conference. The clinic, which began in 1946, annually draws the nation's best musical talent to Chicago. The goal is to raise the standards of music education and to develop new teaching techniques, and also to hold clinics, lectures, and demonstrations. The conference is attended by more than 15,000 musicians and music educators each year. The performances by Fulton schools will take place next week at Chicago's McCormick Place West Convention Center. The Alpharetta High School Symphony, directed by Sheldon Fisher and Mike Walsh, will perform Dec. 19. The Johns Creek Philharmonia Orchestra, directed by Young Kim, and the Chattahoochee Chamber Orchestra, directed by Lyndon Lawless, will perform Dec. 21. The performances will mark the second appearance by both Alpharetta and Chattahoochee's orchestras and the first for Johns Creek High School.
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Students at Simpson Elementary School in Norcross have held charity drives over the last few weeks to benefit Norcross Cooperative Ministries. In their first drive, called Cans, Coats and Car Seats, resulted in the collection of more than 400 items. The second drive was for holiday toys and the students collected nearly 220 items for needy children. The school will continue to collect items after the holiday break by hosting its annual 100 Ways to give. This drive will focus on personal care items for people in need.
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