Mauri Decker, art teacher at Wanamaker Elementary, is the August Crystal Apple Award recipient!
With nearly three decades in education, Mauri has taught kindergarten, first grade, and now leads the school’s art program with heart, color, and creativity. She’s known for transforming lessons—and even storage spaces—into opportunities for students to shine.
After teaching primary grades for many years, Mauri stepped into the art room expecting a gentle glide toward retirement. Instead, she found a new way to make magic. In her very first year, she completely reimagined the art curriculum and brought it to life with hands-on, meaningful experiences for every student.
But her impact didn’t stop at the classroom door. Seeing an underused space in the school, Mauri took it upon herself to create the Wanamaker Art Gallery, a framed and decorated space where students’ artwork is displayed with pride. With help from friends and family—and a lot of her own time and money—Mauri turned a forgotten storage area into a celebration of creativity. She even added a cozy reading area so kids could reflect on the art they’d made and admire what their classmates had created too.
Her daughter, Madison, nominated her for this award and stated, “Mauri deserves every teacher award possible, including this one, without a doubt.”
For 14 years at Wanamaker, and nearly 28 years in total, Mauri has poured her heart into helping students feel seen, valued, and proud of who they are. Her warmth, dedication, and endless creativity are what make her an unforgettable teacher.
As a recipient, Mauri receives a custom-engraved Crystal Apple and a relaxing overnight stay at Prairie Band Casino & Resort, complete with dinner, free play, and a little well-deserved time to recharge.
Congratulations to Mauri Decker on her Crystal Apple Award!
Know a teacher, administrator, or school staff member who goes above and beyond? Nominate them for the Crystal Apple Award here!
