Teacher Spotlight: Mrs. Griffith

By VCS Senior Ashley Gonzalez

For nearly 30 years, Mrs. Griffith has inspired students at Valley Christian School through art, photography, and graphic design. She taught multiple grade levels and developed her own curriculum, continually adapting lessons to meet her students’ needs and the resources available. Through her dedication, students built strong artistic skills and gained a solid understanding of the elements and principles of art.

One of the greatest challenges Mrs. Griffith faced was establishing photography and graphic design programs at a time when curriculum materials and technology were limited. During her first year at Valley, her classroom was the only one equipped with student computers. She taught herself how to use emerging technology and created innovative projects using free programs, allowing students to explore digital design early on.

Mrs. Griffith’s love for art began in kindergarten and has remained a constant throughout her life. One of her favorite memories is seeing students’ faces light up at their first art show, when their work was displayed for the entire school community. Moments like these continually motivated her throughout her teaching career.

She remained committed to growth by researching new trends, updating lessons, and experimenting with new tools. Over time, she placed an even greater emphasis on individualized instruction, helping students develop confidence in their abilities. Mrs. Griffith is especially proud of her students’ accomplishments, including multiple Scholastic Art Show awards and two Best of Show honors at the congressional level.

As Mrs. Griffith prepares to retire at the end of this school year, she hopes students will continue to learn, create, and explore art and photography while maintaining a lasting appreciation for the arts. She is deeply grateful for the Valley Christian community and shares that God has been faithful, making her time teaching at Valley a true blessing.

We thank Mrs. Jackie Griffith for her many years of dedication, creativity, and care for her students. Her influence will continue to live on through the students she has taught and the artwork they create.