Join fellow educators across southern Idaho for two days of inspiring conversation, hands-on learning, and practical strategies for integrating the arts into every classroom. The Wendy Pesky Educator Summit invites teachers of all subjects and grade levels to explore how creativity and self-expression can drive student success.
This year’s summit features nationally recognized art educators Andrea Kantrowitz and Beth Krensky. Each will present on separate days with keynote talks and workshops designed to equip educators with research-backed tools and classroom-ready ideas.
Featured Presenters
Andrea Kantrowitz, author of Drawing Thought
- Workshop: “Thinking Through Drawing: Enhancing Critical Thinking in the Classroom
- Explore how drawing sharpens observation, analysis, and problem-solving.
- Learn strategies for integrating visual thinking into subjects like science, math, history, and literature.
- Andrea will also co-lead breakout discussions on visual learning across disciplines.
Beth Krensky, author of Engaging Classrooms and Communities through Art
- Keynote: “The Power of Art: Inspiring Students to Make a Difference”
- Discover how art fosters leadership, civic engagement, and personal growth through community connection.
- Workshop: “Developing Meaningful Art Projects”
- Strategies for guiding students in creating projects that reflect culture, identity, and history.
- Practical tools to help students use art for communication and collaboration.
About the Summit
Hosted by the Sun Valley Museum of Art (SVMoA), the Summit offers expert-led sessions, interactive workshops, and ready-to-use lesson plans. Educators will explore how visual art can deepen understanding in math, science, social studies, and language arts—while supporting critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and social-emotional learning.
Research from the National Endowment for the Arts highlights the powerful impact of arts education, particularly for at-risk youth, showing improvements in grades, test scores, graduation rates, and civic involvement.
In Memory of Wendy Pesky
The Summit is named in memory of Wendy Pesky, a beloved longtime Sun Valley Museum of Art board member and tireless champion for arts and education. Together with her husband, Alan, Wendy founded the Lee Pesky Learning Center, which helps students overcome learning disabilities. Wendy and Alan also established SVMoA’s Wendy & Alan Pesky Educator Scholarship, which supports professional development in the arts, and were instrumental in shaping SVMoA’s in-classroom arts integration program. The Pesky Family’s support for the Summit reflects their commitment to inspiring educators and students through the arts.
Wendy Pesky Educator Summit will take place on Monday, June 9, and Tuesday, June 10, from 9am-5pm both days.
