DEVILS LAKE – More than 50 students, teachers, school board members and relatives gathered in a common space at Devils Lake High School (DLHS) on May 3 to honor a longtime community associate.
However, the “community collaborator” only paints part of the picture. The event served as an opportunity to commemorate Robert Moore, a former art teacher who taught at DLHS from 1956 to 2009. Even that would only brighten part of the honorary ceremony. After all, the ceremony served as an opportunity for the art classroom to be named after him.
To Steven Swiontek, “Robert H. Moore’s Art Education Classroom” will help illustrate Moore’s enduring influence. Moore, who died Feb. 13, 2021, was named “Teacher of the Year in the United States” in 1965 and consistently taught his students five basic skills he considered vital to art education beyond pure creativity: collaboration, self-confidence, cultural awareness with empathy and critical thinking.
Swiontek, a 35-year-old Devils Lake resident, knew “Bob” from the time he lived in Hallock, Minnesota. Dating back to the time he was director of DLHS in 1987, Swiontek has always had positive memories of Moore as a faculty member and friend.
“Then, when I became supervisor, he [Robert] always been here, ”Swiontek said. “He was always ready to tell me, ‘give me some advice on how the school should work’ or whatever it takes … He was extremely enthusiastic about art education here.”
Bill Moore, Robert’s nephew, also had positive memories of his uncle. Since his student days at the University of North Dakota or his frequent trips to Walmart with his uncle, Bill has always noticed how many people have a story about Robert.
Bill’s memory of his uncle constantly revolved around determination, expectations, and hard work not only from himself but also from his students.
“Several people have commented that they are strict, and I remember that as a junior,” Bill said. “It simply came to our notice then. If he had the knowledge, he could have been a sports coach, but he didn’t play sports at all. ”
For Bill, Robert will continue to leave his influence in high school, even along the way.
“This is really nice,” Bill said. “I think he is [Robert] is deserving. If he knows this is happening, I’m sure he’s just excited because it’s been 53 years in one school. It’s been a long time … He loved working. ”
Swiontek, who helped organize the ceremony, believes future generations will revive their artistic visions in Robert’s honor.
“Well, I hope they walk past that room and as they walk into the art classroom and look at that monument or the name above the door and say who that guy was,” Swiontek said. “Maybe I should do a little research and find out more about this great educator.”
John Crane is a sports / general reporter for the Devils Lake Journal. Feel free to contact John by work phone (701-922-1372), cell phone (701-230-4339), email ([email protected]) or Twitter (@johncranesports) with any story ideas.