PAEA FRIEND to Art Education

Mr. John J. Gress is the High School Principal at Pleasant Valley High School in Brodheadsville, PA.

Gress has been chosen as PAEA’s “Friend to Art Education” award.

• “Passionately supported the arts over the last ten years in word and deed”. ~A. Fadule, Assistant Superintendent
• “…makes going to work a pleasure because it is like an incubator for ideas, which transpire into possibilities, that germinate individually creative and talented art students that successfully go on to top art schools.”~B.A. Cortese, Art Educator

As principal at Pleasant Valley High School, Mr. John J. Gress exhibits his support for the arts by standing by his educators. He promotes the writing of lessons and units by allowing paid time to allow for department collaboration, rewrites and implementation. He believes in professional growth and supports both short term and long-term course offerings for his art department. He values art as academic excellence and proudly has dedicated gallery space in his school in the new auditorium.

Gress promptly finds the funds to match their Monroe County Arts Council Artist in Residency programs. Presently Pleasant Valley is working with Keystone College by allowing six students to design and cast a bronze sculpture for their Academic Fair in April. The students will travel for the actual pour and experience college level instruction.

Gress “recognizes the significance of art and has allowed me to organize a teacher-in-service day for cross-curricular exploration of artistic tools…he always supports whatever is necessary to promote student involvement and success in the arts.” ~ A. L. Pettit, Art Educator