Dawn Zalkus

Dawn Zalkus is proud to be an artist and educator at Batavia High School. She was inspired by her own art teacher, Deeks Carroll, when she was a student at Stagg High School. Dawn works with her students to build a strong artistic community with a culture of collaboration, learning and excellence. She incorporates art at every level and in various forms. The students compete in art competitions, they network and visit galleries, and they volunteer through the National Art Honor Society Chapter she established at Batavia High School. Dawn is highly regarded by her administrators and her students. She won the 2018 Art Educator of the Year Award from the Illinois Art Education Association. Dawn’s story reminds us that when students’ ideas are valued, they can go out and rock the world.