Novi High School art teacher Erin Harbar was recently selected as a Southeast Michigan Region Scholastic Inspiring Educator.

Scholastic awards competition students were asked to nominate a teacher who went above and beyond to help, mentor and inspire. "Erin is a humble, diligent, extremely talented educator who pours her heart and soul into her students and her craft," said Novi High Principal Nicole Carter. "Her thoughtful, detailed-oriented, carefully designed lessons ignite a curiosity and passion for the arts."

Harbar began her art teaching career, right out of school, at Novi High School in January 2002. Harbar is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education and holds a Masters in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College.

She has been involved with the Southeastern Michigan Scholastic Awards since participating herself as a high school student. Over the past 19 years, Harbar has volunteered with the awards and has sponsored hundreds of students to participate with numerous winning regional keys and national medals. Over the years she has presented mutable times at the Michigan Art Education Association Conference. She and her students also collaborated with Providence Park and Novi Woods Elementary to create community art projects.

In her free time, when she is not taking care of her young family, she enjoys continuing her artistic ceramics development at the Michigan Art Center in Garden City. Erin is currently teaching Ceramics 1 & 2, Jewelry 1 & 2, and IB Visual Arts at Novi High School.