Stefanie Crowley

Hello and welcome to Idaho Arts Charter School.  My name is Stefanie Crowley and I’m happy to report this is my second year of teaching kindergarten at IACS.  I absolutely love it!  My involvement with IACS began as a parent in 2005, the first year of operation.  My daughters, Madelyn and Olivia, were both on the waiting list.  We received “the call” soon after Maddie began third grade at another school.  We jumped at the opportunity to experience learning through the arts and what a wonderful journey it has been.  Last year, my daughter Olivia also got in.  Now, we can all go to school together!  This fall, Madelyn (age 10) will be a fifth grader and Olivia (age 7) a second grader.  When asked why they love school, both express an appreciation for the chance to participate in the arts plus they admire their teachers.

As a parent, I enjoy hearing about my children’s teachers.  I would like to take a moment to share a little about myself.  I was raised in Montana from age 11, the baby of four.  I attended the University of Montana in Missoula earning a B.A. in Psychology in 1988 and later a B.A. in Elementary Education in 1994.  After completing my student teaching experience in Kalispell, Montana during the spring of 1994, I was selected to job-share in a second grade classroom for 1994-1995 school year.  I taught second grade for two years and kindergarten for one.  While visiting my classroom one day, the principal, Mr. Dave Parker, commented on how kindergarten was the perfect fit for me.
Since that time, I’ve learned “If the shoe fits, wear it!”

During that memorable year in kindergarten, I learned that I was expecting my first child.  A teacher and a soon-to-be mother - - “What more could a person ask for?!”
Once Madelyn was born, I stayed home for the next nine years to be a full-time mom.  A demanding, exhausting, yet challenging job and well worth it…..much like teaching!  My husband, Tom, and I have been married for seventeen years.  In 2000, his job brought us to Nampa.  Once our daughters were both in school full-time, I was able to put that “perfect fitting shoe” back on and re-enter the world of teaching.  Lucky for me, a position opened in kindergarten!

As a family, we enjoy the outdoors.  During the summer, we like to go boating, water-ski, and visit.  During the winter, we like to snow ski, do “projects”, and visit.  Maddie and Livvie spend much of their down-time engaging in creative art projects. Television is not a staple at our house.

I have always been interested in the arts.  From the time I can remember, I have enjoyed drawing, doodling, and creating greeting cards.  As a young girl, I took dance lessons including ballet and jazz.  During my college years, I continued my love for dance, taking a different form of dance each semester.  I performed two pieces in a spring dance performance my senior year.  I can attest that learning through the arts is extremely valuable for children.  The ability to be creative enables each individual to reach his/her full potential.  Best wishes to you on your journey ahead!