Riley Elementary School community and Glendale Neighborhood Council complete outdoor learning space in honor of local teacher who died in 2021

Glendale neighborhood, Salt Lake City - 10/25/2022 - The school community at Riley Elementary School in collaboration with the Glendale Neighborhood Council has completed a mural and outdoor learning space to memorialize a community educator lost to cancer in 2021. Members of the media are invited to a private dedication of the mural that will feature the artist and local leaders who helped make it possible. 

About the dedication event:
When: November 1, 2022 at 11am
Where: Riley Elementary School
Who: Media and invited guests

About the learning space: 
Ms. Schroeder’s Learning Space is an opportunity for the community to come together to recognize Ms. Schroeder’s legacy of kindness and service to the Glendale community. The recently completed learning space features a mural painted by Regina Stenberg that was commissioned by the Glendale Neighborhood Council using funding from the Salt Lake City Arts Council. 

“This mural is such a meaningful way to honor the legacy of a remarkable educator who left her mark on our neighborhood. The school community at Riley Elementary School rallied to make this possible and we are grateful for the chance to have been involved.” - Turner C Bitton, Chair, Glendale Neighborhood Council 

About Ms. Shroeder:
Jessica (Jess) Schroeder, age 30, passed away on Monday, September 6, 2021. She was a beloved teacher at Riley Elementary School. Jess was married to Melanie Lee and they began building their life together in New Orleans before moving to Salt Lake City. 

Jess earned a Bachelor of Arts from Tulane University, earned a Master of Education from the University of Utah, and was a National Board-Certified Teacher. A passionate educator, Jess believed in the capacity for all students to discover, to learn, and to grow. She was a fierce advocate for teachers, teacher-leaders, and the endeavors of school turnaround work.

Jess was also a loyal, trusted friend and colleague. She loved stories - both written and verbal, and could consistently be counted on to tell and retell the best stories. She was always on the lookout for the next great song or restaurant. Jess cared deeply about family traditions ... as well as family competitions. She loved her life and spent as much time as she could with the people she loved - no matter the miles in between. Jess leaves behind an impact to last multiple lifetimes - her laughter could fill a room, her intelligence could solve the world's problems, and her generosity was only matched by her tenacity. A true force, Jess will live on in those she loved, taught, and led.