Visual arts teacher Janine Falah of Fairview Middle School is the recipient of the 2024 Opening Nights at Florida State University Arts Advocate Award, presented by VyStar Credit Union.
The award recognizes an exemplary educator from Leon County Schools who provides outstanding arts education experiences for students in our community.
“I am very humbled that people appreciate all the things that I do with the students in and out of the classroom,” Falah said. “I am grateful that I genuinely enjoy creating experiences for our students by collaborating with the community.”
Before joining Fairview, Falah was an arts educator at Sabal Palm Elementary School. In her four years at Fairview Middle School, she has enriched her students’ learning experience by introducing them to a variety of new techniques, classes and skills.
“Ms. Falah has instructed my child over the past three years and has consistently provided diverse opportunities to explore multiple art forms and learn about unique artists,” said Rachel Porter, a Fairview Middle School parent who nominated Falah. “Each class integrates an interdisciplinary approach. For example, Ms. Falah introduced a digital photography class that integrates the art practice — taking photographs — with learning the history and science that underlies traditional photography. Students learn to contextualize their work, which helps them develop critical thinking skills and resilience through experimentation.”
With more than thirteen years of arts education experience, Falah creates a positive and inclusive learning environment for her students, collaborates with teachers across curriculums and connects her students with arts organizations in the community. Her dedication has been instrumental in helping her students develop their creative skills, gain confidence and achieve academic success.
“Ms. Falah is the only art teacher I have worked with who continuously sends me articles of events around town that may impact students,” said Eileen Mayer, principal of Fairview Middle School, who also nominated Falah. “She is always looking to work and connect outside her classroom. This year, she is paired with an English Language Arts teacher and her yearbook students. Further, her digital photography students are taking photos for a book being written by an eighth-grade creative writing teacher. Ms. Falah goes out of her way to talk to the students about their core classes and is always offering a way that art education can be brought into an assignment or project.”
As part of winning the Arts Advocate Award, Fairview Middle School will receive a special performance presented by Opening Nights during the school year. Falah will receive a 2024-25 Opening Nights Season ticket package valued at $1,000 and a Garnet Parking Pass for Opening Nights performances on FSU’s campus.
“Opening Nights is dedicated to enriching the cultural life of our community through the presentation of professional performing arts experiences,” said Calla MacNamara, education and engagement manager of Opening Nights. “This award is for teachers who provide similar opportunities throughout the school year.”
Falah will be formally recognized at the Opening Nights 2024-2025 Season Announcement Party on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, during which the full season lineup will be revealed.
“Congratulations to Janine Falah for being awarded the Opening Nights 2024 Arts Advocate Award,” said Miron Richardson, Vice President of Universal Retail Banking at VyStar Credit Union. “At VyStar, we deeply appreciate educators’ vital role in fostering student growth and community development. We take pride in honoring Miss Falah for her dedication to art education and her positive impact on her students and the community.”
For more information, visit openingnights.fsu.edu.