It’s exactly what you’d want for an art classroom. A flood of natural light. Rainbows of crayons and paints. Stacks of blank pages patiently awaiting your sketch strokes. But the students’ favorite part? That’s the talented artist at the helm, always ready with a contagious laugh and some helpful pointers.
“I really like Miss Peterson,” said Chloe McBroom, a seventh-grade student at Aurora Highlands P-8. “We can relate to her. She knows about everyday struggles.”
This is Taylor Peterson’s 10th year as an art teacher. In that time, she’s learned how much she loves building bonds with her budding artists. She’s using that connection to teach how art can be much more than paint on a canvas.
“Some kids haven't even had a chance to try expressing themselves through art,” Peterson said. “Giving them that opportunity can also give them the joy of doing something they’re proud of.”
Peterson’s impact at Aurora Highlands P-8 is a sight to behold—literally. When the school’s leaders were imagining ways to make the walls more welcoming, they went to their artist-in-residence.
“I’d never done a mural before, so I was kind of nervous,” Peterson admitted. “It was fun, but also one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life. When I stepped back at the end, I felt really proud.”
See? Peterson believes so much in what she's teaching, she puts it into practice in her own life. Now when you stroll the hallways, you’ll see the Rattlers logo, cascading green mountains and a special message of motivation: “The best view comes after the hardest climb.”
“It means hard work pays off,” said Julia Kouassi, a seventh-grader at Aurora Highlands P-8. 
When Julia considers what she’d do if her school made a similar art request of her, a smile slowly forms on her face. “I’d feel delightful,” she beamed. “I don’t know what I’d paint. Maybe the school’s mascot.”
One thing’s for sure: Peterson is getting her students ready for wherever the climb takes them.
“Obviously, I hope they all become famous artists,” Peterson said with a laugh. “But mostly, I just want them to find some part of their identity that they can connect with and express in some way. I hope it gives them strength to try new things and persevere, even if it's hard for them.”