DeWayne Mason, Ph.D.

Dr. Mason's innovative teaching idea, “Morality and Diversity Murals,” is focused on providing an art outlet for students to apply moral thinking and art expertise to create murals that recognize and promote diversity and important moral values. The project goal is to advance students’ knowledge of the core values of a “good society,” including teamwork, respect, responsibility, commitment, discovery, empathy and the pursuit of excellence in learning and character. The associated art benefit is to teach students the elements, principles and purposes of art. By combining these two areas, students who are not typically enrolled in formal art classes at the middle- and secondary-levels will have the opportunity to grow both morally and artistically. This project expands upon an innovative, but limited, program currently underway at Patriot High School — and seeks to serve up to 22 schools and 10,000 students in grades six through twelve. Project murals will be displayed at highly visible school, district, and community venues, for all to see the positive impact of the program.