Mural honoring Milton teacher killed in freak accident unveiled

MILTON, Mass. — Students, teachers and family members painted a mural in honor of a beloved Milton art teacher who was killed in a freak accident on the highway last year.

Caitlin Clavette, 35, who taught art at Glover Elementary School, was driving on I-93 in February 2016, when a manhole cover became airborne and smashed through her windshield.

Her friend, Sarah Jayne Bleiweis, whom Caitlin had motivated to study art education and inspired to become an art teacher, had recently moved to Hawaii when the accident happened. This week, Bleiwis arrived in Massachusetts and led three full days of painting at Clavette’s school to give back to her friend and mentor.

Bleiweis sketched scenes from the ocean to represent Caitlin’s love of the sea, swimming and scuba diving. Students painted inside a grid, each contributing to the work of love for their teacher.

“This is a celebration, because she would want us to celebrate her life,” Bleiweis said. “She had so much life in her and such a huge spirit. So I think that is definitely brought out through the mural.”

Clavette’s parents, Skip and Louanne Clavette, and her aunt, Maureen Costa, helped paint, alongside teachers who spent hours after school working on the mural.

“To have her school honor her like this,” Costa said, “it really shows everybody what a mark she left on her students, her fellow teachers, her principal. She’s inspiring.”

Clavette wasn’t a “cookie-cutter teacher,” Bleiweis said; she was creative, energetic and passionate about her students.

“I really love art. I really like Ms. Clavette,” said fourth-grader Brooke Sturdivant. “So I think it’s a good opportunity that they’re doing it.”

“I had her for a teacher, and she was nice to all of us,” added Darrell Allen, who helped paint.

Clavette’s family members have also been busy holding fundraisers with the Caitlin Clavette Memorial Foundation, awarding scholarships in her name and celebrating her loves: art, education, fitness and animals.

The events are not only a positive way to cope with their immeasurable loss, but to also to keep her legacy alive.

“She’s always in our hearts and our thoughts,” Costa said. “This just keeps her going for us.”

Donate to the Caitlin Clavette Memorial Foundation here: http://www.caitlinclavettefoundation.org/.

Cox Media Group