24 THE EAGLE GRATITUDE REPORT 2025-2026 A truly great art program in a school like St. Michael's is one where every child sees themselves as creative, capable, and valued. It is not just a place where students “make projects.” It is a space where they learn to think independently, solve problems, communicate ideas, take risks, and grow in confidence. What excites me most about expanding the program to serve PreK–8 is the opportunity to build a connected artistic journey across the developmental stages of childhood. Teaching all grade levels allows me to intentionally scaffold skills, habits of mind, and creative confidence so students grow naturally from their earliest explorations into more sophisticated thinking and making as they mature. The challenge, of course, is meeting a very wide range of developmental needs—but that is also what makes the work meaningful and energizing. Art shapes a student’s experience far beyond the classroom. It gives students another language for expressing what they think and feel. It teaches perseverance when things do not go as planned, flexibility when ideas need to change, and pride in creating something uniquely their own. Students who are deeply engaged in art often become more willing to take risks, more comfortable with uncertainty, and more confident in their voices. They learn that growth does not come from getting everything “right” the first time—it comes from trying, revising, and continuing. The process is where students learn to manage frustration, adapt to mistakes, and move beyond perfectionism. In my classroom, mistakes are not failures—they are information. They are opportunities to pause, rethink, and discover a new direction. Some of the most meaningful breakthroughs happen when a student realizes that an unexpected result can become part of the solution. That mindset extends far beyond art; it becomes a life skill. Art also creates powerful space for self-expression and emotional growth. Some students communicate most clearly through images, color, symbols, or materials long before they can fully explain themselves with words. The art room can be a place where students feel seen, heard, and safe to Dive Into Art Story by Jenny Knappenberger | Art Teacher Many people naturally focus on the final artwork, but the most important learning often happens during the process.
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