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Bringing Student Art to the Public Square
Believing that the public deeply cares about local schools but often lacks an invitation to engage, Portland Public Schools teacher Sam Leach decided to create that invitation himself. After guiding his James John Elementary students through a creative identity project, Sam single-handedly coordinated a public exhibition of their poetry and portraits at the neighborhood Starbucks—proving that a single educator's idea can spark a vibrant neighborhood dialogue.
James John School teacher Sam Leach opens classroom doors with blog
Sam Leach, who teaches at James John School. He has been teaching for 12 years and has a unique approach. He opens his classroom doors to parents through a blog, where he shares daily happenings, artwork, and interesting information. The blog has resulted in students working harder, parents being more involved, and the community supporting the school.
By Casey Parks | The Oregonian/OregonLive