Hello, Flora Vista Families!
My name is Kristie Morsher, and I am proud to be the new Art Teacher at Flora Vista this year! The students know me as Ms. Morsher, but I also answer to “Art Lady” and “Art Teacher.” I am so excited to be teaching Art at FV, and the students have been beyond excited to have Art added to their weekly wheel schedule. Thank you for helping to provide this opportunity for them!
As a K-8 Art teacher with Chicago Public Schools for the past 18 years, I’ve traversed a thoroughly engaging and fulfilling journey – one in which I’ll be forever grateful. Over the past couple years I had come to a point in my life where I was looking for a change. A big one. Motivated by my unconditional enthusiasm of teaching Art to elementary school students and a determined aspiration of relocating to SoCal, I made the move to San Diego over the summer. I feel very lucky to be able to call SoCal my new home! I’ll forever be a Cubbie fan, but definitely enjoy catching a baseball game at Petco and rooting for the Padres. Among other things SoCal, I have already lost track of what month/season it is. And, I just learned from one of my Artists that it’s not too late for me to learn how to surf – because her Mom just learned how. It’s on the list.
Throughout my teaching career, I’ve refined my proficiency as a teacher and understand the importance of providing an inviting, stimulating and safe learning environment that allows my students to be inspired and flourish. I embrace the opportunities to introduce my students to projects that incorporate the Elements of Art and Principles of Design while exposing them to a wide variety of artistic media, processes and Art history to open their minds to all that the Art world has to offer. Along with following the state standards for Art, I feel it’s also important to incorporate current events, literature and topics that interest my students into projects.
After being an Art Teacher for 20 years, I can honestly say that I am thrilled and gratified by how much the students of Flora Vista have already impressed me. They have been so welcoming, kind, and a complete joy to teach. I love how excited they are about learning and creating! I have never had so many students say “thank you” as I have these first few weeks at FV, and it warms my heart. I also can’t believe how independent, trustworthy and smart my Artists are. I can’t wait to see what they can create this year!