Leaders to Learn From: Elevating the Arts to Improve Student Achievement

Christie-Jo Adams, a violinist whose first learned to play an instrument in her public elementary school, is helping teachers weave the teaching of music, dance, and other visual and fine arts into their instruction to enrich student learning and improve achievement in the Richmond Public Schools in Richmond, Va. As the district’s fine arts instructional specialist, Adams is also working to expand students’ access to visual and fine arts courses across the city’s schools.
“There are some great boys and girls in Richmond Public Schools that have not been tapped,” says Adams. “It’s because they are growing up in a city, they don’t always get noticed.”
This video was produced as part of Education Week’s Leaders To Learn From project, recognizing outstanding school district leaders from around the country. Read more at leaders.edweek.org