DGS Teacher Michelle Lynn receives national educator award for photography; (l-r) Jerry Hug, Chapter Sponsor, DGS Teacher Michelle Lynn and Jim Bodkin, PSA Chicago Chapter Chair
Michelle Lynn, a visual art teacher at Downers Grove South High School, has been selected as the "Outstanding Photographic Arts Educator of the Year" by the Photographic Society of America. Founded in 1934, the PSA is a worldwide organization providing a wide range of services that promote photography. Lynn was formally honored by the Chicago Chapter of PSA last month.
“It is nice to be recognized as an excellent teacher of photography by such a revered organization,” says Lynn. “My students have also won many, many awards and honors from this organization, and I take pride in their accomplishments as well.”
According to the PSA, South High’s students have excelled beyond any other school that has participated in the International Student Showcase since the beginning of the program in 1997. In 2015, there were over 1,300 entries from around the world. Three DGS students won three of the top first place PSA awards, including Besiana Useni, Kailey Holzman and Crystal Panaganiban last May. Their winning work was featured in the PSA Journal, a national publication, as well as displayed at the International Exhibition in West Yellowstone last September, where it was viewed by hundreds of professional photographers.
“The professional photographers at the international exhibition couldn’t believe that the photographs on display were the work of students,” said Jerry Hug, vice president of the PSA. “Exceptional student accomplishments are the result of good teaching.”
Lynn has taught art for 25 years at DGS. Lynn currently teaches all levels of Digital Photography including AP Digital Photography, all levels of Jewelry, and Ceramics. Lynn has been making, taking and teaching photography for over 30 years.
For more information about the Photographic Society of America, please visit psa-photo.org.
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