Leslie Kubica
CVA Visual Arts Teacher
lkubica@cvalleycsd.org
Hello there! My name is Mrs. Kubica. I teach Art to the students at Central Valley Academy, grades 9-12. I am a lifelong learner, having studied both Art and Music in my collegiate career. I have made art since I was very young, but it wasn’t until later in my career that I discovered the joys of teaching the Visual Arts. I first studied Music Performance as a flutist at Ithaca College, earning a Bachelor's degree, and New York University, earning a Master’s degree. After having my first child, I went back to school for Education and became certified in Music Education and taught Elementary Music for over a decade. In 2019, I made the big decision to go back to college, yet again, earning 30 + college credits in the Visual Arts to earn my NYS Certification in the Visual Arts. Along with this change, I also started my own illustration business called Leslie Kubica Illustration and work out of my home studio when I am not teaching at CVA. Though it’s been a lot of work, being a multidisciplinary artist, a visual artist and musician, is such a joy and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Our high school students are able to explore a variety of wonderful art classes that I just love teaching! Whether it’s Drawing, Digital & Media Arts, Ceramics, or Design and Drawing for Production, I just love watching my students learn and express themselves through the Arts. I believe that art reflects the essence of life which is why I enjoy sharing this subject with my students. I also believe that the creation process can help students navigate the challenging day-to-day life as a teenager in the 21st century. I hope that as a teacher I will at least inspire my students to be the best version of themselves. I am honored to teach every single one of them! Thank you for the wonderful opportunity!
Amy Roepnack
CVA Visual Arts Teacher
aroepnack@cvalleycsd.org
I received my Bachelors of Fine Arts from Purchase College and Masters of Art in Teaching from SUNY Oswego and have been teaching art for 20+ years. I am trained in a wide variety of art mediums and have had the pleasure to educate students ranging in ages from 3-80 in public education, higher education, and museum education settings. After years being an assistant professor at Herkimer College, I decided to return to teaching K-12 art.
As an arts educator, I believe…
- Arts education nurtures the creativity and imagination of every student. These skills are necessary for critical thinking and problem solving.
- The arts bring people together in enriching experiences that provide positive recognition to the individual, the school, and the community.
- Arts infused curriculum provides the opportunity to combine physical, intellectual, and emotional skills encompassing multiple intelligences while encouraging diversity to achieve the most comprehensive education.
- Since the arts are integral to comprehensive education, opportunities must be available for K-12 students to access the arts, creating a life-long appreciation.
At CVA, my hope is to educate and inspire Central Valley students to become lifelong learners of the arts. As the painter Pablo Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is to remain an artist once they grow up.”
Kyle Pumilio
Jarvis Middle School Visual Arts Teacher
kpumilio@cvalleycsd.org
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Cheryl Laventure
Barringer Road Elementary/Jarvis Middle School Visual Arts Teacher
claventure@cvalleycsd.org
Mrs. LaVenture (formerly Ms. Hicks) received her Art Studies degree at Dutchess Community College, Bachelor of Science dual major in Visual Arts and Visual Arts Education from SUNY New Paltz, and her Masters of Science in Education in Leadership and Instruction for inclusion from Utica University. She focuses her own art studio on ceramics and drawing and painting with a little sprinkle of mixed media and sculpture.
In the art room, Students are always given the opportunity to explore and make discoveries and create their own path. While sometimes they need motivation, they are given the tools and materials to make sense of their world. The art room is a place where students can explore their identities and really create their own sense of self.
“Even if my classroom only gives one student peace of mind, I call that a win. My door is always open.” -Mrs. LaVenture
Melissa Kirk
Fisher Elementary Visual Arts Teacher
mkirk@cvalleycsd.org
Hello! Mrs. Kirk here and I am the Elementary Art teacher at Harry M. Fisher Elementary School. I earned my Bachelor’s of Fine Art from Green Mountain College before getting my Master’s of Teaching-Art from SUNY Oswego.
In the art classroom, Kindergarten and 1st grade are focused on building simple skills and learning about the Elements of Art, the basic building blocks of art. We focus on process over product with our Pre-K artists, lots of play and exploration of materials. Students, regardless of their age, are taught citizenship and responsibility by following the process of creating art, then maintaining the art classroom/studio through cleaning their own mess, plus helping others when they can. We have a lot of fun learning and making together!
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