Dear Parents,

Welcome to Cowan Elementary Music! Since I will be working with you and your child throughout the year, I would like to share a bit of information about myself.

I am proud to say I am a native Austinite! This means that I am a product of the Austin Independent School District. I graduated from Crockett High School back in the days before Bowie was even built! I attended the University of Texas at Austin and I graduated in 1993 with a Bachelor's degree in Music.

I currently hold four classroom teaching certifications, including Music EC-12, English as a Second Language, Special Education EC-12, and Elementary EC-4. I am also certified by the district to teach our gifted and talented students. I also have completed AISD's Leadership Pathway in Social & Emotional Learning. This is my 19th year teaching in A.I.S.D., and my tenth year at Cowan. I am proud to be a Cowan Coyote!

I recently completed my yoga teacher certification as well as a certification in Social and Emotional Learning Facilitation. I am a true believer in mental health awareness, promoting self-regulation and mindfulness, and trying to be the best version of one's self. I recently earned my Masters of Education in Social and Emotional Learning.  

My husband Stephen and I have lived in southwest Austin for over twenty five years. We have two children: Jake and Avery. Jake is a 2020 graduate of The University of Texas at Austin where he received his Bachelor's degree in Music Composition and Arts Management and Administration. He graduated in May of 2023 from Johns Hopkins with his Masters degree and he currently works in Los Angeles, CA as Associate Director of Development for the University of Southern California.

Our daughter Avery is a 2022 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin in Journalism. She moved to NYC in August of 2022 to begin a fellowship in teaching at a charter school. She taught 8th grade English/Language Arts. Avery is now back home in Austin and is currently teaching 8th grade ELA at Gorzycki Middle School.   I am a happy mom!

We are animal lovers. We have a dog named Blue, and my new cat, Willamina.  Willamina stories are famous in my classroom and she has her own page here on this website! I am a huge animal advocate and support local shelters (obviously). There is fur everywhere in our home.

I enjoy reading, spending time with my family and friends and playing the piano and oboe. Music is a big part of my education and our family. I am also a member of the Texas Music Educators Association and National Association for Music Education. 

My goal is to create a classroom where each and every child is enriched by the power of music education. I believe in a strong sense of organization and a classroom management system where students have ownership in maintaining the positive expectations we set as a class. If we aren't having fun while we learn, I need to work harder. 

I encourage you to be an active participant in your child’s music class. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. I look forward to working with you this year!

Sincerely,

Crysta Wohleb

crysta.wohleb@austinisd.org