BETTY VAN STRATTON

As I'm sitting in my classroom a memory of Mrs. Van Stratton came to me, so I decided to look her up. I'm sorry to hear of her passing. She was my high school art teacher at Montville High school in the 80's. She is the teacher who inspired me to become a teacher myself. I remember her kindness, and how she made each of her art students feel special and talented. I especially cherish the memory of her saying , "What can I help Margaret with today," when I would raise my hand and ask for her...

Montville HIgh School was and presumably still is one of the outstanding public high schools in the country. I had many good and great teachers. Ms Van Stratton- however- was among the select few- who seemed to notice me as an individual. By high school, I was showing signs of developmental trauma- and whether or not she observed this, her accepting, generous and validating nature- provided me with a safe space to be myself and her very pointed encouragement of my art work- gave me the...

She was...is in Eternity..a fantasically loving and takented teacher. She encouaged me in the early 80s at Montville High to pursue art. It is a loss for me even as her student 40 some yeats ago. I am sorry for the grief your family suffered.

Betty was not only an amazing teacher, inspiration, and artist, but she was also an amazing friend. I was fortunate to be one of Betty's Art Groupies at Montvlle H.S in 1973-1977. She treated us as peers and contemporaries, and instilled the love of art and design in our lives. I often think of her when I see something of interesting color, shape, texture, or composition, and can picture her saying, "That would make a wonderful weaving, painting, or batik!" I will miss our phone...

Mrs. Van - as we called her - was a beloved teacher in Montville Twp. High School, Montville NJ. Someone from one of the virtual condolence guest portal put it beautifully, describing Mrs. Van as having a well of compassion. Mrs. Van created a learning space - a well of patience - which I didn't fully appreciate until much later in life.

Mrs. Van guard-railed generations of aspiring art students in her classroom space to turn creative frustrations into problem-solving. Another former...

I was also fortunate to have Mrs V as a teacher at MHS.
She was a lovely lady and wonderful teacher who positively influenced many of her students.
My sympathy to her family and friends.

Betty taught art with my husband Pete in Montville and she was such a joyful, beautiful person! We went to visit her and I admired her very cool handmade earrings and she took them off and gave them to me! It was such an example of selfless love and giving, I have never forgotten her loving spirit. Rest in Peace Betty, amazing, loving talented human being. The world is less now because you are not in it. So many blessings and prayers to your family and for the happy repose of your soul.

Betty was simply the best! A Great teacher, mentor and friend I was lucky to share an art room with her and learn from a true master as a young teacher. She never needed to yell because the students had the utmost respect for her. The respect went both ways and her students knew how much she cared for them as human being. I was Blessed to have know her and now the Good Lord(& Bill) has his angel back. God Bless the Van Stratton Family

I was fortunate to take 3 art classes with Mrs. V, a gifted teacher and truly wonderful person. This past summer I thought of her as I visited the Chicago Art Institute with a friend. As we discussed color, composition, and technique, I remembered discussions with Mrs. V in class and on field trips to the Met. I still hear her voice. I hope my economics students remember me even half as fondly as I remember Mrs. V.