As a 16-year-old, Lakota Mossey started her first summer as a camp counselor being in nature and teaching art to the kids.
 
The Seattle native is now well into a 25-year teaching career at Liberty Elementary School in the Paradise Valley Unified School District. Teaching art, Mossey was a first-time Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers recipient in the fall. In the months since, Mossey has been on cloud nine.
 
"It's been very inspirational, honestly," Mossey said. "Sometimes, we as teachers don't feel recognized and it's really put a pep in my step. I almost don't have words for it because it's been so special and such a blessing. Sometimes, it feels like a dream."
 
A former flight attendant for a private charter company, Mossey pursued her passion for art on a whim when she applied for a scholarship to study abroad in Italy through the University of Arizona. That immersed her in art in ways she never experienced before and she eventually graduated from Arizona with her master's degree and an emphasis on printmaking and art education.
 
Now in her ninth year at Liberty Elementary, Mossey teaches more than 430 students from kindergarten through sixth grade and fully believes in the importance of art education – and not just within her classroom.
 
"I would go as far to say art is the backbone of our education system. Arts integration is becoming more popular," Mossey said. "Whether that's dance, poetry, acting, drama – I do a lot of puppetry – so a lot of theater, a lot of acting; I believe that it keeps kids so engaged by having some sort of art focus in science, in English, in math and social studies." A vocal advocate for the arts, Mossey is the lead art teacher in her district and uses her platform to educate her peers on professional development and arts integration. Her messaging includes pushing people past their comfort level, something she does as well. Given the nature of art, it can be an uncomfortable space for children who may lack confidence.
 
Hence the famous Pablo Picasso quote, "Every child is an artist."
 
It's a mantra that her students take to heart, but it's also a motto that keeps her pushing through her toughest days.
 
"If I'm ever having a difficult day, I say to myself, 'you're so lucky. You're doing what you love and you're inspiring children every single day,'" Mossey said. "The kids always quote Picasso. If someone is down in the dumps, they'll say 'every child is an artist, so you're artist,' and it's so cute. I try to remind myself not to take it for granted. Some days are hard, but I must remember that for some of these kids, this is the best part of their day."
 
Given Mossey's "why," the Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers program was a dream come true.
 
The $2,500 she received is equivalent to five times her annual budget. For many years, her classroom has not had paint sticks, oil pastels or quality paper. Recycling supplies is a priority.
 
As a result of Wishes for Teachers, Mossey is equipped with five years' worth of her budget and, together with her students, the shopping list is coming together.
 
"I'm teetering back and forth on so many things. I do a lot of ceramics with my students and my kiln recently broke," Mossey said. "On the other hand, I've had all the students write down their wishes for the art room. More clay, bigger paint brushes, we want paint sticks. One of the students said they would love to be able to do more virtual field trips.
 
"I want us to purchase what the kids really want and what would be the most exciting for them so they feel invested. Of course, when you get them to feel more invested, they take care of the supplies more."

Beyond the financial award, the Fiesta Sports Foundation has integrated Mossey's expertise into the fold on a couple of initiatives. First, in December, Mossey's students provided the centerpieces for the VIP Breakfast prior to the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe.
 
Mossey's students had full creative control over the centerpieces, including dreaming up their own sports team from the team name, mascot and colors. Coupled with the full parade experience and attending both the Rate Bowl and Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, and it was a holiday season to remember for Mossey.
 
"I was laughing the whole time because they were so funny, so cute, and they really took it seriously," Mossey said. "I hadn't had my classroom that quiet in a long time. Their art was gorgeous.
 
"I took my principal to the breakfast and we had a blast, and walking in the parade was definitely a bucket list item. It was too cool and a once-in-a-lifetime experience to do all this, plus going to the Rate Bowl and Fiesta Bowl."
 
Then, in late February, Mossey was asked to paint a mural on-site at Hope Women's Center in Coolidge as part of the Fiesta Sports Foundation's latest playground build.
 
"I love painting murals, it's one of my favorite things to do," Mossey said. "To brighten up the neighborhood and bring smiles to the people at Hope Women's Center, it is an honor."
 
Mossey provides her students inspiration to be creative each day. Teaching art has been at the core of who she is, whether at a summer camp in Seattle or in her Scottsdale classroom.
 
After all, as Picasso said, "every child is an artist."