Jennifer Winkler

Winkler’s innovative teaching idea, “Glass-Working: Art & Business,” focuses on supporting the Smithie Art Club, a free program that gives students in grades 6 through 12 opportunities to practice art skills and business management. Because the club does not receive financial support from the school and is completely funded through the sale of artwork and grants, the Voya Unsung Heroes grant makes a difference in what is provided. The goal of the project is to bring glass-working to the school and community — beginning by adding it to the current curriculum and allowing students to share their skills with the surrounding community through enrichment classes and events. This program will be sustained by the revenues the students will generate by selling the glass art they make.