“Going to middle school was very hard,” reflected eighth-grader Abbey Urch.

“Especially going to an academy away from a lot of my friends,” she added. “It took some time to get used to it, although I can always remember being excited to go to English.”

According to Urch, being in Louise Jeffries’ English class in sixth grade and again in seventh grade was a difference maker. She described her class as always fascinating and unique and described Jeffries as someone she trusted and made her feel safe.

So when Urch received her final assignment in gifted visual arts program at Virginia Beach Middle School (VBMS) – to create artwork for a teacher who has inspired you – she immediately knew who she wanted honor.

“I chose Mrs. Jeffries because she is joyful,” said Urch. “She is so energetic, and she’s always happy. She inspires me and everyone else to be better people. She’s always in a good mood and always makes us set goals for ourselves.”

The fact that Dr. Seuss always puts Jeffries in a good mood is why Urch based her artwork on the author, featuring spines of his beloved children’s books.

Urch also highlighted the English teacher’s favorite quote from “The Lorax” as well as a directional sign showing all the places Jeffries has lived or where she likes to travel.

“Her favorite book is “Oh, the Places You’ll Go.” And she would always talk about how, “Oh, I think you guys are going to go here when you get older, and you’re going to be this when you’re older.”

“She’s very encouraging. She tells us all the time, ‘You’re really good at this; you’re really good at that.’ She’s always trying to make us feel good about ourselves. It’s important because it boosts your confidence and it makes you feel better about yourself.”

The once anxious rising sixth-grader left middle school with positive memories and more confidence thanks to VBMS teachers like Jeffries.

Equally enthusiastic about the educator she chose is eighth-grader Summer Hayes, who cannot stop smiling nor talking about VBMS algebra teacher Andrea Goodwin.

“She inspires me to be me, and she’s just really happy all the time. She’s always wearing bright colors. She just makes the day all bright and I just wanted to make a piece for her because no one has ever made one for her. It’s her second year in teaching in this school and her first year teaching algebra so I wanted it to be special for her,” said Hayes, without taking a breath.

To honor her love of animals and scuba diving, Hayes drew Goodwin immersed in an underwater scene, featuring some of the teacher’s favorite fish as well as a few others from a popular summer movie.

“I added these two because the movie Finding Dory is coming out. And she likes to scuba dive in the summer, and it’s becoming summer and my name is Summer,” continued Hayes with a list of thoughtful details she hopes will make the artwork special to Goodwin.

Special is how Emily Royle felt when she attended a VBMS back-to-school event last year and her science teacher James Long greeted her at the door.

“‘You must be Emily,’ he said at the open house,” recalled Royle. “I knew then I was going to like him.”

And because Long likes Star Wars, Royle drew him as his favorite character, Luke Skywalker, and incorporated Long’s wife and two daughters into the work.

Those details were not lost on Long.

“The little touches about my family are wonderful,” he said. “Emily remembered that my daughter Megan was a recent Radford University graduate, hence C-3PO’s mortar board and giant Radford foam finger. My wife, who is Emily’s English teacher, is Princess Leia.  Delaney, our younger daughter, is R2-D2.  And the best part is, Emily made me into Luke Skywalker.”

Eighth-grader Ryan Setzer used symbols from Chicago, math teacher Austin Mehl’s hometown, to personalize the artwork. The city’s flag and logos from popular sports teams surround an image of the state of Illinois.

It also features a quote Mehl would recite often in class – “If you never try, you will never achieve.”

“He has been a really inspirational teacher and helped me learn and become the student that I am now,” Setzer said.

Abigail Mayhue also highlighted her growth as a student when talking about the impact of Elizabeth Werbiskis, a VBMS physical education teacher and Mayhue’s field hockey coach for three years.

“In sixth grade, I was really quiet so she’s taught me to be more of a leader instead of a follower. She made me not afraid to talk,” said Mayhue.

Mayhue sketched the three things Werbiskis told her she couldn’t live without – her dogs, the beach and sunshine. The artwork also features the CNU lacrosse hat Mayhue said Werbiskis wears all the time. She played lacrosse and field hockey as a student athlete at Christopher Newport University.

“Teachers really love the project and it’s great because the students are so invested in it,” said gifted visual arts teacher Jessica Provow.

“They get to create something for them – almost like a present they get to leave behind,” she continued. “This is something handmade. They get to show off their talents but then also showcase their teachers and showcase what they taught them.”

Provow received a piece from Meghan Barrett who was grateful for the opportunity to honor a teacher she said motivated her to try new things outside her comfort zone.

“I really like this project because it allows me not only to tell Mrs. Provow how much I appreciate what she’s taught me over the years, but also to show her how much she’s encouraged me to become the artist I am today.”

Teacher appreciation is important to other student artists.

“They do a lot for students,” said Mayhue. “Both of my parents are teachers so I know all the hard work they do. I think they just need somebody to tell them, ‘Thank you.’”

Urch agreed, noting that Jeffries cried when she received her Dr. Seuss-inspired work.

“It’s definitely the absolute perfect way to honor them because they can relate personally to this,” said Urch. “I think it’s important to show how much we truly appreciate them because of all they do for us. It means something special to them, and it’s something personal that they can take with them.”

Jeffries will place the personalized artwork in her new granddaughter’s nursery, and described her own reaction to receiving the piece as “pure joy.”

“Everything on the painting is part of my heart and soul,” said Jeffries. “Abbey is truly a gifted artist, but even more importantly a gifted soul who seeks the best in life. I am totally honored she chose me to inspire her to paint that incredible piece of art.”

Long was equally moved by the personalized Star Wars piece he likened to a movie poster.

“We teachers spend a fair amount of time getting to know our students each year.  The insights can help us find common ground with our students, open doors for communication and keep them open. It’s touching when a student can reciprocate and want to learn about us, and find out what makes us feel special.”

The teachers’ acts of kindness, boosts of confidence and words of wisdom will all be remembered by the eighth-graders who are now preparing for high school.

Likewise, the students hope their artwork leaves a lasting impression on their favorite teachers.

“It will give her something to remember me by so she never forgets me,” said Mayhue, “and I’m going to come back and visit.”

Tell your friends! Follow us!