This spring, Smith-Wade-El Elementary took a powerful step forward in building a school environment where creativity is not just encouraged, but celebrated. The unveiling of the school’s very first mural marked not only the completion of a beautiful piece of art, it marked the beginning of something much bigger.
Led by art educator Megan Grozier, the project was born from a simple idea: what if the walls of Smith-Wade-El could reflect the people and the programs that shape the school each day? As someone who has long dreamed of starting a public art initiative, Megan envisioned a mural program that could bring teachers, staff, and students together to create artwork that lives in the halls they walk every day. With Principal Amy Martz’s support, that vision took root and quickly grew into something deeply meaningful.
Painted over the course of five months, this first mural involved 14 staff members from all parts of the building: classroom teachers, paraprofessionals, and instructional coaches. Together, they met after school, stayed late, and shared not only paint and brushes but ideas and a sense of shared ownership. What started as a pilot project quickly became a gathering point. Some staff who weren’t initially part of the mural team found themselves stopping by and picking up a paintbrush. Participation grew naturally, one connection at a time.
The mural itself tells a layered story. The school’s bear mascot anchors the design, alongside the Lancaster City skyline and the farmlands that surround it two landscapes that represent the diversity of the district and its people. There are sneakers for the Girls on the Run program, symbols representing music and gym, a nod to the community garden, and even a tribute to the school’s Safety Patrol. These images are reminders of the school’s day-to-day life. They reflect the relationships, routines, and values that shape the experience of being at Smith-Wade-El.
As Megan shared, “Kids don’t usually get to paint on the walls. But adults don’t either. There’s something special about sharing that experience about putting something permanent on display and saying, ‘This is who we are.’” For her, this mural wasn’t just a professional milestone, it was a personal one. As an artist and educator who moved to Lancaster to begin her teaching career, Megan described this project as a dream that had been growing since she first earned her teaching certificate.
Principal Martz, who has long encouraged Megan to take the leap, was quick to recognize the mural’s impact not just in the final product, but in the process. “Every day, I heard the laughter coming from the hallway,” she said. “I watched the wall go from blank to full of color. But what stood out most was the pride, not just from the staff who painted it, but from the students and families who came to the unveiling. You could feel how much it meant.”
Art encourages problem solving, self-expression, and collaboration. It allows students to see themselves in their environment to feel that their school is a place where ideas are welcome, and where beauty has a place on the walls, not just in the margins. As Principal Martz noted, “Our kids need to know that their imagination matters just as much as their test scores. That what they create has value.”
Looking ahead, the mural program is just getting started. The team is already planning for next year hoping to create two smaller murals in other parts of the school, such as stairwells and high-traffic areas. The next designs may take on a more abstract style, and Megan hopes to bring students directly into the process by reintroducing an after-school art club. The goal is not only to decorate the school, but to grow a culture of creativity and collaboration that lasts far beyond a single project.
Smith-Wade-El’s mural is a reminder of what happens when educators are trusted to lead, when creativity is valued, and when schools make space for joy. It’s a reflection of a school that believes in the power of belonging, and in the idea that every person, young or old, has something worth contributing.
To the staff who made this mural possible: thank you for leading by example. And to our students, your turn is coming. We can’t wait to see what your imagination adds to these halls next.
