The School District of Washington is excited to take part in the “STL Teacher Proud” campaign, put on by Education Plus, as an effort to highlight the amazing teachers who choose to serve the St. Louis community and inspire others to join the noble profession of teaching. On the second Tuesday of each month, we’ll highlight a SDOW teacher who chooses to make a difference every day.
Teacher Proud Tuesday – Sarah Monzyk, Art Teacher, Labadie Elementary
Sarah Monzyk has been in education for seven years, five of which have been with the School District of Washington. She’s been at Labadie Elementary for all five years as an art instructor, and also has taught art at Washington West Elementary and Clearview Elementary. A graduate of Rolla High School, Sarah began her career in education with the Gasconade County R-I School District in Hermann, where she spent two years as a third-grade teacher.
“I love how energizing a group of kids are. It's pretty much impossible to spend time with a group of kids and not pick up on their zeal for life. The kids are why I'm in education,” Monzyk said.
“The great part about teaching art is that you get to see the kids year after year. You get to watch them grow and really develop those relationships over time. In art, you also get to help them develop their creative thinking, which I believe is crucial for thriving in the ever changing world they will be working in. During and post COVID, I really got to see how art specifically benefits our students socially and emotionally. Using mediums such as clay or paint really allows them to develop problem solving skills, with an added therapeutic bonus. Art is a place where the kids can move beyond one right answer, and for some, that means success that they may not have attained yet in the regular classroom.”
“Mrs. Monzyk is an asset to the Labadie Elementary team. First and foremost, she builds strong relationships with our students while providing them with a fun, safe, and inviting art education classroom,” said Labadie Elementary Principal Jennifer Pecka. “Sarah is passionate about engaging students in the fine arts while allowing them the opportunity to express themselves through varied elements of art. She is consistently growing as an artist herself and involves our students in community projects to show them that art is everywhere. She is always willing to lend a helping hand and is one of the first to ask how she can help support colleagues or students in the building. I am extremely proud to have Mrs. Monzyk as part of the School District of Washington and Labadie Elementary team.”
