Elementary art teacher Cass Stapleton is pictured in front of an art display created by her students.
By LILY HICKS | Journalism Student, Mount Union Area Senior High School
Mount Union, Pa. — Cass Stapleton, an elementary art teacher, is December’s Staff Spotlight. Mrs. Stapleton is encouraging and devoted, not only teaching her students about art but also life lessons that go beyond the classroom. She joined the Mount Union Area School District in 1999 after deciding to follow in her mother’s footsteps as an art teacher. She shared that her family instilled in her an appreciation for the value of art from a young age.
Over the years, Mrs. Stapleton has taught children of all ages but especially connects with elementary students. She said, “After all these years, I would still choose teaching art over other careers.” She explained that she has loved creating art and learning about it since she was a child. Mrs. Stapleton said she did not have a particular moment that shaped her love of art but has experienced times when her appreciation for it has deepened. The moments that have stood out to her most are when she has had the opportunity to see famous historical pieces in person.
When asked about the importance of children learning and practicing art at a young age, Mrs. Stapleton said she believes it is important because students can gain an understanding and appreciation for the world around them. She said, “I hope my students are able to learn about art, but most importantly, creative problem-solving as well as critical thinking that will help them in whatever career path they may choose.” Mrs. Stapleton finds the most rewarding part of teaching elementary art is watching her students understand the lessons and enjoy the learning process. She also said she enjoys seeing students’ sense of pride in their community, school, and classmates.
In her experience, Mrs. Stapleton often hears people say, “I’m not good at art,” but she explained that she hears this much more often from adults than from her students. To encourage her students in their artistic abilities, she said she teaches a lesson on perseverance and makes sure students know that perfection is not a requirement. She explained, “We are artists, not machines, after all. We can be messy and make mistakes. That’s how artists grow, learn, and improve — by trying, exploring, and practicing. People can be a work in progress just like art. I also teach students that it’s OK for people to have special talents.”
While Mrs. Stapleton has expressed her love of teaching art at the elementary level, she also explained that there are challenges that come with the job. She said that teaching in both elementary buildings can make it difficult to keep everything organized. She switches buildings every three days based on the cycle they follow. Before leaving, she must prepare everything for her next visit. Mrs. Stapleton said she makes sure all supplies are cleaned and displays are set up before moving to the next building. She added that she teaches 35 art classes and more than 500 students, and while she enjoys it, the workload can be very time-consuming.
When students come to her seeking advice about pursuing art further, Mrs. Stapleton said she encourages them to take art classes at the senior high level. She also explained that she discusses the type of post-secondary education students may need depending on the type of art-related career they are interested in. In addition, she helps connect students with other artistic opportunities, such as private lessons and community activities and events. Through her guidance and encouragement, Mrs. Stapleton continues to support students as they explore their creativity beyond the classroom.
This article was published as part of Ms. Dimoff’s Journalism class at Mount Union Area Senior High School.
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