For Danielle Phelps, the decision to become an educator was shaped by a lifelong love of art and the lasting influence of a high school ceramics teacher.

“She didn’t just teach art—she inspired it,” Phelps says of her mentor, Mary Ann Rahe. “Through her example, I witnessed firsthand the profound and lasting impact a teacher can have on a student’s confidence, creativity, and aspirations.”

Today, as a K–8 Visual Arts Educator at Burris Laboratory School, Phelps brings that same energy and encouragement to her students. After 13 meaningful years at her previous school, she was drawn to Burris for its strong support of the arts and the rare opportunity to work with students across nearly a decade of their educational journey.

“That sense of continuity and community was a major factor in my decision,” she shares.

Building Skills That Go Beyond the Canvas

For Phelps, art education is about much more than drawing or painting—it’s about building essential life skills.

“I’ve witnessed students apply their creative thinking to other subjects, develop perseverance through the artistic process, and gain confidence as they overcome challenges,” she explains. “Being part of that journey, year after year, is both a joy and a privilege.”

One of her most meaningful projects, Owls for Change, combined art-making with community engagement. Her 4th and 5th grade students crafted owl sculptures from recycled materials and researched nonprofit organizations they cared about. At Muncie’s First Thursday event, they raised funds for those organizations through art sales and donations.

“The hands-on nature of the process encouraged experimentation, resilience, and reflection,” she says. “What made this unit especially meaningful was its connection to the community.”

Grounded in Purpose, Driven by Passion

With more than 22 years in education, Phelps emphasizes the importance of staying grounded in one’s purpose.

“The most valuable advice I can offer is to always remember your ‘why.’ Teaching is filled with both incredible rewards and inevitable challenges, and having a clear sense of purpose can be a powerful anchor.”

For her, that purpose is clear:

“I am here to help you become the artist that I know you are.”

It’s a mantra that guides her every day and shapes the supportive, student-centered environment she fosters in her classroom.

Creative Life Beyond the Classroom

Outside of school, Phelps is a busy mother of three boys—ages 17, 13, and 5—and continues to explore new creative outlets, including stained glass and digital art. She also finds joy in restoring her family’s 115-year-old farmhouse and canoeing with her family.

These hobbies help her unwind, but they also enhance her teaching.

“I often find ways to bring what I’ve learned from these experiences back into the classroom, enriching my lessons with fresh perspectives and techniques.”

A Recognition of Excellence

Phelps was recently named a finalist for the 2025 Teaching in Excellence Award through the Ball Brothers Foundation—an honor she describes as both humbling and affirming.

“The nomination and finalist process has been a journey of growth and reflection,” she says. “It’s allowed me to pause and truly appreciate the impact of my work.”

Whether she’s guiding students through a complex art project, updating her historic home, or paddling down the river with her family, Danielle Phelps brings creativity, heart, and purpose to everything she does.