In honor of National Arts in Education Week, we are thrilled to spotlight Janita Stoots, a dedicated music teacher at Whitehall City Schools for the past 20 years. Janita currently teaches 7th and 8th grade band, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade general music, and 8th grade enrichment at Rosemore Middle School. A self-described early bird, Janita typically arrives at school by 6:30 a.m., ready to inspire and educate her students. 

Janita is passionate about creating her own curriculum, which allows her to teach a diverse range of material and bring a fresh perspective to her lessons. This year, she designed a curriculum highlighting American music history from the 1830s onward, weaving in historical context to show her students that music doesn’t exist in a bubble. She places a particular emphasis on Black American composers and discusses how racism has shaped the development of American popular music. Her approach helps students see the connections between music, history, and society.

For Janita, music education is essential because it provides opportunities for success beyond the traditional core subjects. "Not every student will be a scholar in the core subjects," she explains. The unified arts give students a chance to excel in different ways. She believes music and art are higher art forms integrating math, history, and language to create something new and meaningful.

Her favorite part of teaching is seeing her students succeed in ways they didn’t know they could—like playing a challenging piece of music for the first time. 

Janita’s dedication and passion for music education make a lasting impact on her students, helping them discover new talents, build confidence, and find their place in the world. As we celebrate National Arts in Education Week, we honor Janita and all the arts educators who make a difference every day.

Thank you, Janita, for your commitment to fostering creativity and inspiring our students through music! ????