About the Foundation
The P. Buckley Moss Foundation for Children’s Education is a non profit organization that facilitates integration of the arts, in all its forms, into school curriculums, specifically addressing children who learn differently. The goals of the Foundation are:
- To provide a forum for sharing innovative methods and how to use the arts in teaching and disseminating these methods nationally and internationally.
- To furnish published materials that provide teaching strategies and activities incorporating the arts into the classroom curriculum.
- To develop collaborative relationships with arts and education-based organizations.
- To recognize teachers who effectively use the arts in their classroom programs to teach children who learn differently.
- To develop and conduct art education programs for pre-school children to introduce the arts into their early educational experience.
P. Buckley Moss, or Pat, was a student who did not benefit from traditional education methods because of dyslexia. Dyslexia, as defined by the Oxford Dictionary, is “a general term for disorders that involve difficulty in learning to read or interpret words, letters and other symbols, but that do not affect general intelligence”. Gifted, but unable to read, she was readily passed through the school system with a bare minimum of education.
Pat’s story and her love for children led to the formation of the Foundation in 1995. Several dedicated members of the P. Buckley Moss Society laid out the framework for the Foundation and established two scholarships.
The Judith Cary Leadership Memorial Scholarship was created in 1999. It was awarded to a student who is working either full time or part time toward special needs certification or an undergraduate or graduate degree in some field of Special Education. For many years, Judy Cary was an enthusiastic teacher and leader with the society. 2017 was the final year of funding for this scholarship.
The Anne and Matt Harbison Scholarship was awarded to a high school senior with a certified learning difference who was pursuing post secondary education. Anne Harbison is considered to be the founder of the Moss Society and it’s first president. She was an ardent supporter of Pat’s early charitable endeavors.
Currently, the Foundation’s Board of Directors administers the P. Buckley Moss Endowed Scholarship annually for learning-different students who have an artistic talent to pursue education in the arts. Assistance, through grants, is also provided for teachers developing and implementing art programs.
The Foundation raises money for the scholarships through donations provided by members of the P. Buckley Moss Society, their Chapters and various fundraisers. Pat donates her art in the form of limited edition prints and unique original art to be sold to generate funds for the scholarships.
2023 P Buckley Moss Foundation Board Members
Larry Bowman, Director
Term 1: July 2022- July 2025
Sharon Cubit, President
Term 1: March 2016 – March 2019
Term 2: March 2019 – March 2022
Term 3: March 2022 – March 2025
Term 1: Feb 2020-March 2023
Term 2: March 2023-March 2026
Beverley Mann, Treasurer
Term 1: Oct 2016 – Oct 2019
Term 2: Oct 2019 – Oct 2022
Term 3: Oct 2022 – Oct 2025
Mary Morgan, Office Manager
June 2017- current
Patty Moss, Artist Rep., Ex. Officio, Exec. Comm, Interim VP
Term 1: April 2010 – April 2013 – President
Term Unlimited – Artist Representative
Corey Walthall, Director
Term 1: July 2024-July 2027