Hello families,

 Please allow me to introduce myself.

I am Mrs. Beth Kroupa, your student’s art teacher. I teach every student at Martin Luther King Jr. Academy from PreK-6th grade. This is my 19th year in the district. I began my career, in 2006, right here at Martin Luther King Jr. Academy! Unfortunately, I was laid off in 2010 and but rehired at Yonkers Middle High School where I taught high school for 3 years and then middle school for the next 9. Two years ago, I decided that I really missed the little ones, so when the opportunity and opening at School 22 appeared I decided to teach there. Last year due to budget cuts, I was set to be split between 2 schools, one on a cart, which I was unhappy about. Good thing for me there was a full time opportunity here so I decided to return to my first home!

My whole world is about art, and I am thrilled to be sharing it with you. I was a fashion designer for over 15 years in the junior market, working primarily in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea. When my husband (also making his career as a working artist), and I started our family I decided to change my path, stop traveling, stayed home for a bit, then went back to school in 2004 to become an art teacher!

I have 3 grown children, my boys are married (one works in social media and one is a baker), and I have one 2 year old grandson! My daughter is a PhD candidate at Columbia University.

We make art decisions every day: when we choose what we wear, what product to buy, sneakers, our clothes, cell phone cases etc. We use art every day. Art teaches us how to think through and express what words cannot. My job as a teacher is to teach the appreciation of art, how to notice it all around and participate. I will be assessing your student on their effort, participation and behavior. I will not be “judging” their artwork as I am not a curator and do not feel like I have that right! I always want my students to take risks and chances in art and not fear trying something new

This is the best way to get in contact with me is here by email or preferably by Class Dojo.  I will answer you as soon as I can. If you are new to Class Dojo, this portal is for you but feel free to share it with your student. I will be posting in class story, the art created in your student’s class. I also have a school Twitter page under KroupaBeth where I share work.  I started this during remote learning to display work and it has been very successful! Please have a look!

Please stay safe and well!