Erin Grocki

Gina Mudge

Behind almost every MassArt student there is probably an amazing, inspiring  high school art teacher, maybe even one who changed their lives.  Many would not be at MassArt today without the encouragement and advice of their teacher.

Gina Mudge, sophomore Art Education major, had a chance this year to nominate her high school art teacher, Erin Grocki, for the annual Kennedy Center/Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Award.  The Sondheim Awards “celebrate the teaching profession, the important role of teachers in society, …. [and] the power one teacher has to inspire others and transform lives.”

Of hundreds of nominees from around the country, six teachers were chosen, and Gina’s nomination won the award for her teacher at Bishop Fenwick High School in Peabody, Erin Grocki. Along with the honor, Mrs. Grocki, who now teaches at Masconomet Regional High School in Topsfield, will receive $10,000.

In her nomination Gina recalls the time she was about to give up on an art piece she was working on, afraid of failing, and Mrs. Grocki spoke the words that Gina will never forget:  “SO? SO WHAT?!? Who cares if you fail ?! FAIL BIG! That’s what life is all about, failing big and learning from your experiences.”

Gina’s mother, like many parents, was skeptical about her desire to go to art school, and Gina was facing serious setbacks with her plans until the day she brought her mother to the school art show and saw Mrs. Grocki talking with her.  As Gina wrote, “To this day I don’t know exactly what was said, but all I know is that when we got in the car to go home, my mom turned to me and said, “I talked to Mrs. Grocki, and I’m convinced. You have my blessing in whatever you choose to do.”

Mrs. Grocki convinced Gina to apply to MassArt, though she thought it might be beyond her reach, and here she is, an enthusiastic Art Education major and Deborah’s able work/study assistant in the office.  Gina says Mrs. Grocki is the sole reason she is now studying to be an art educator.  “If I can do for just one student half the things Mrs. Grocki did for me, … that’s all the success I could ever  ask for.”

Read Gina’s 1000-word nomination essay here.