Mrs. Cheney Receives Recognition
Tracy Williams Cheney has been selected as Elementary Art Teacher of the Year for the Southern Area by the California Art Educators Association. Mrs. Cheney is a seasoned art educator, having nurtured the creative endeavors of thousands of children and young people over three decades in public and independent schools in three states: Washington, Texas and northern, central and southern California. Her commitment to arts education found her delivering art in a wide variety of venues to at-risk students, homeschoolers, and the homeless.
In the mid-1990s while living in Washington State, elementary art programs were eliminated in her district. Tracy hired five art teachers to create the first after-school business serving children called afterschool Art Studio, which lasted seven years. After a presentation to the School Board on the need for alternative educational choices, Tracy helped design the first-ever pilot magnet program based on art and science for an at-risk middle school in that same community.
Tracy earned her BFA from Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles. Her M.Ed is in education administration. In addition, she is certified as a teacher evaluator and has enjoyed mentoring teachers.
Besides teaching art, Tracy has given numerous art workshops for teachers, her most popular being “Poster Workshop.” Talks for educators include, “The Importance of Creativity in the Age of Accountability,” “Copyright/Copywrong – Understanding the Law,” and “The Qualities of Quality.” The latter presentation provides guidance in how to evaluate quality arts programs based on the current work of Harvard’s Project Zero. She also developed a talk for school administrators when NCLB took effect, “No Subject Left Behind: The Crucial Role Art Education Plays in Developing Young Thinkers,” and for business owners, “How Creativity Improves Your Bottom Line.”
Besides teaching art, Tracy has given numerous art workshops for teachers, her most popular being “Poster Workshop.” Talks for educators include, “The Importance of Creativity in the Age of Accountability,” “Copyright/Copywrong – Understanding the Law,” and “The Qualities of Quality.” The latter presentation provides guidance in how to evaluate quality arts programs based on the current work of Harvard’s Project Zero. She also developed a talk for school administrators when NCLB took effect, “No Subject Left Behind: The Crucial Role Art Education Plays in Developing Young Thinkers,” and for business owners, “How Creativity Improves Your Bottom Line.”
In her spare time, Tracy is the author and illustrator of books and numerous articles. She’s won several writing awards. Her latest was fourth place in a national screenwriting contest. When she was exhibiting her art, among other awards Tracy won a “Best of Show,” and has artwork hanging in public and private venues. She has the distinctive “honor” of having her entire art show stolen from the Spokane, WA city gallery!
Tracy's community commitments include neighborhood organizer, active church member, Girl Scout leader, and tour guide at the Southwest Museum. She served a five-year-term appointed by the Mayor of Everett, WA as his Youth Ambassador, overseeing all city programs and policies that affected children and youth. Her desire for unbiased discussions in the media that focused solely on educational issues prompted her to produce an award-winning public radio show for five years, Making the Grade.
Tracy's community commitments include neighborhood organizer, active church member, Girl Scout leader, and tour guide at the Southwest Museum. She served a five-year-term appointed by the Mayor of Everett, WA as his Youth Ambassador, overseeing all city programs and policies that affected children and youth. Her desire for unbiased discussions in the media that focused solely on educational issues prompted her to produce an award-winning public radio show for five years, Making the Grade.
Of course, BHS knows Tracy through her work as our art specialist for grades K-8 for the past three years. Although our students participate in numerous contests, winning at the local, regional, and even national levels, that's not the most important thing. Tracy is committed to teaching the foundational basics at the elementary level so children develop the creative skills necessary for success in the 21st century workplace.
Located in Los Angeles, CA, Berkeley Hall School is a private, coeducational school for students in preschool through grade 8. Rigorous academics in a supportive atmosphere and grounded character development allow students to become fearless scholars and conscientious citizens - gain a love of learning, leadership with social responsibility, creativity with moral integrity, and self-esteem with compassion for others and the environment.