H-F Teacher Named High School Art Educator of the Year

Art doesn’t stop when the bell rings for students of art teacher Greg Petecki.

“I try to provide opportunities to my students that help them realize the importance art can have in their lives,” Petecki said. “Whether we are building nine-foot-tall permanent concrete public sculptures to adorn our campus or traveling to Europe to experience art history firsthand, I want my students to realize the power art has to make a positive difference in this world.”

Petecki's work inside and outside of the classroom has benefited many students and the H-F community as a whole, according to the awards committee for the Illinois Art Education Association.

As a result of Petecki’s efforts, the association has named him Secondary Art Educator of the Year for 2011. He will receive his award during a Nov. 11 ceremony at the association’s state conference at Illinois State University.

“It's a wonderful honor to be chosen for this award, and I couldn't be more excited,” Petecki said. “It has helped validate all the years of hard work and sacrifice, but more importantly, it has reignited my passion for continuing to be the best that I can be for my students."

Petecki, who has been a member of the H-F Fine Arts department for 12 years, was nominated for the award by Heidi Stachulak, his former student and now fellow H-F art teacher.

Stachulak recalls the first time she met Petecki when she was an H-F student.

“He came in for an interview and took over our Fundamentals class for the day,” Stachulak said. “The lesson he taught introduced a new way of seeing art as well as creating it.

“Greg treats every one of his students as a person first, creating meaningful and lasting relationships,” Stachulak added. “Each of his students see the possibilities attainable with the arts after stepping into his classroom and realize the potential they have to see and create beauty in the world.”

Petecki says his biggest reward is “watching my kids grow up and be able to appreciate the arts.”