Georgia Educator Recognized for Community Outreach

Art Educator Builds Bridges Between School and Community

The MetLife Foundation Ambassadors in Education Award recognizes outstanding educators in the public school system. Recipients of the Award are middle and high school educators who are building partnerships and communicating beyond their school for the betterment of the entire community. It is a project of the National Civic League and sponsored by the MetLife Foundation.

The winners for 2009 were announced recently, and a Georgia educator was among those 25 educators selected to receive the Ambassadors in Education Award.

Natalie Brandhorst, Art Educator at North Atlanta High School, was cited for encouraging her students to engage in their community through art projects. Her students take on issues such as environmental sustainability and hunger. Ms. Brandhorst will receive a $5,000 grant because of her role in building bridges between the school and the community.

Atlanta Public Schools and the National Civic League provided the following information in recent press releases:
Recently, Ms. Brandhorst worked with students, parents and local Girl Scouts to raise awareness about hunger in Atlanta. Students and scouts used the school kiln to make hundreds of cermic bowls as part of an Empty Bowls hunger education project. For the culminating event, members of the [North Atlanta] community brought canned goods to the school.
Ms. Brandhorst was also recognized for partnering with area artists and local businesses to provide her students with quality art supplies.