‘We Are One Team’ Mural Created By Reed Educator .......................................... 12

leading team winning the South-West Conference championship that same year.

There are many stories behind the paintings.

Reed Project Adventure teacher Sara Strait is one of the paintings, and students, staff, and visitors alike can guess which one that is. Across from physical education teacher Beth Gattey’s office, Failla placed a special portrait that involves Gattey and her dog, Luna, on a paddle board.

While Failla completed the mural in the second half of the 2020-21 school year, she still has ideas. There is more “blank” space, after all.

Standing in the hallway recently, Failla looked around, holding her hand out and touching some of the portraits. She was playful when deciding where to place the images, like a student fishing with the fishing line going up and over a wall to a fish that “jumps” just above a water fountain, when seen from “just the right angle.”

The students are painted in black on the white hallway backdrop, and the pops of color are from the sport item or activity each is interacting with. In one portrait of a student in a wheelchair holding a ball, the ball is painted red.

Failla wanted inclusivity to be prevalent, because seeing themselves portrayed is important for Reed’s fifth and sixth graders. At that impressionable age, Failla explained, it can inspire students to explore their options and try new things, and build their selfesteem.

“As an educator, I couldn’t ask for more; to put a smile on a student’s face and make them feel loved and respected,” said Failla.

There are many “funny little things” Failla added to the paintings, and hidden metaphors. She hopes the zipliner, for instance, is a reminder for students to “just hang on. Life is good, give it a chance,” Failla said.

While Failla said she is not a professional artist — like her husband, Pino Failla, is — she is no stranger to art and crafts.

Surveying the hallway and her years of work behind it, Failla said, “It really was a labor of love.”

“Overall, it is a nice reminder of teamwork,” said Dr Correia.

Eliza Hallabeck can be reached at eliza@thebee.com.