About Ms. Firsty

This is my second year at Westlake Charter High School and my 17th year working in Art Education. I earned my BFA in Painting from Syracuse University's College of Visual and Performing Arts and my MAT from Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). I have taught students in all grade levels and I strongly believe that art can transform lives. I hope to inspire my students to be imaginative, to be creative problem-solvers, to take risks and EXPLORE, to find meaning and beauty in the world around them, and to have a life-long love of the arts.

Outside of teaching and making my own artwork, I enjoy taking long walks in nature with my wife and our dog, reading, traveling, dancing, rollerskating, attending arts and cultural events, and always learning new things.