Creative Arts Department
The arts are essential. They teach students innumerable lessons—practice makes perfect, small differences can have large effects, collaboration leads to creativity. The arts also teach children that there are several paths to take when approaching problems and that all problems can have more than one solution.
Research has also shown impressive benefits of arts education on entire school culture—especially student motivation, attitudes, and attendance. Numerous reports discuss the ways that increased access to and involvement in arts education encourage students to stay in school, succeed in school, succeed in life, and succeed in work.
Emily Markgraf
High School Art
I’m Ms. M and this is my first year at AFSA and first year teaching! I recently graduated from UMD and decided to head back down to the cities to start my teaching career. I’ve always had a passion for the arts and I’m thrilled to get to bring that passion here. I believe art education is important for students as it helps develop and hone creative problem solving skills as well as offers an outlet for creative expression. I’m excited to get to be a part of this community and guide our students' creations!