For 30 years, Carol Deetjen taught art at Boothbay Region Elementary School, and thought the ceilings looked bare.

“I had taken a picture of the hallway filled with art displays in the mid-80s, and thought the ceiling was barren. Boring, monotone. And it didn't need to be that way,” Deetjen said.

Over the next 30 years or so, every seventh grader at BRES has been given one ceiling tile in the school to paint with whatever they want. The new art teacher, Jessica Nadeau, was asked to continue this tradition when she took over the position.

“I planned to do it anyways,” Nadeau said. “I remember painting my tile back in seventh grade. It was daisies on a background — flower power, and all that.” Nadeau graduated from BRHS in 1999.

“We checked with the trustees and made sure they approved it. They liked the idea, and everything was approved,” Deetjen said. “When Governor Baldacci's wife, Karen, came to visit the school she said it was wonderful.”

The first year the tiles were done with markers, but they faded out, so in subsequent years paints were used. The tile designs, while left to the students, helped Deetjen and now Nadeau teach elements of art to their students, including color design and line principles.

The project is done by seventh graders so they can enjoy seeing their tiles in eighth grade, before they move up to the high school.

“The students look forward to this project a great deal,” Nadeau said. “When I took over one of the first questions the kids asked me was if they would still do the tiles. Yes, of course!”

About 12 years into doing the project, Deetjen realized what a legacy the kids were leaving in the school, and started insisting that students put their last names as well as their first on the paintings.

“My youngest son's tile is downstairs. He's 31 now. It's amazing how long this has been going on, and I'm glad there are still so many blank tiles in the school so it can continue,” Deetjen said.

Over the years, a few tiles have been lost to water damage. According to Deetjen, the custodians in the school are extremely careful when they have to move ceiling tiles, and work hard to make sure as few as possible are lost.

“It brightens up the whole school, and the kids love it,” Nadeau said. “I have the best job in the world, I get to make art with kids. And I enjoy teaching projects they like to do.”

Deetjen still visits the school often, as she continues her work teaching as a substitute. One of her favorite subjects to sub for is history.

“I miss the kids too much to stay away, so I substitute. Both at the elementary and high schools,” Deetjen said. “I teach everything. Kids are surprised at what I know, especially in history, but art follows history so it's always a huge interest of mine.”

One thing Deetjen has never done, to her regret, is paint her own tile. However, since she is still at school so often, she is considering changing that.