As we celebrate National Arts in Education Week, we are thrilled to spotlight one of our dedicated art educators, Kristy Rothbrust. For the past 18 years, she has been inspiring students at Whitehall City Schools. Kristy is an art teacher at Etna Road Elementary, where she sees around 150 students each day. Every student in the building attends her art class on a four-day rotation, making art an integral part of their education. 

For Kristy, art is much more than just creating beautiful pictures. She believes art is crucial in building creative thinking and problem-solving skills. "Art is a form of communication," Kristy explains. "Students don’t need to speak English to create art." In her classroom, art becomes a universal language that connects students from all backgrounds.

Kristy integrates a wide range of academic subjects into her lessons, making learning hands-on and engaging. For example, social-emotional learning is woven into her projects, allowing students to express their feelings and build self-awareness. Math is also a key component of her curriculum; her third graders are currently learning about ratios by mixing paint in the proper amounts. "There's so much that people don't realize students are getting from art," she says, highlighting the hidden benefits that extend beyond the canvas.

The most rewarding part of Kristy's job is witnessing her students' reactions when they achieve something they never thought they could do. “Art builds their confidence,” she shares. “They can be successful here.” In her classroom, every student can explore, experiment, and discover new talents, creating an environment where they feel empowered and capable.

Kristy's dedication to her students and passion for teaching art embodies the transformative power of arts in education. As we celebrate National Arts in Education Week, we honor teachers like Kristy, who bring creativity, innovation, and inspiration into our schools every day.

Thank you, Kristy, for all that you do to make art an essential and enriching part of our students' education!