How Ms. Castro Inspires Confidence Through Art at Insight School of Washington 

At Insight School of Washington (ISWA), creativity comes alive in the virtual classroom thanks to art teacher Malynne Castro, who believes that art is about far more than drawing or painting but about self-expression, confidence, and the courage to try something new. 

“I strive to help students build confidence in themselves through embracing their creativity and not being afraid to try new things,” she says. 

Based in beautiful Bellingham, Washington, Ms. Castro teaches art to every elementary grade level daily as well as 7th-grade art for middle school students a few times each week. She brings an incredible amount of energy and heart to each lesson, blending creative exploration with gentle encouragement to help her students discover their voice through art. 

A Journey Rooted in Passion 

From the time she was young, Ms. Castro knew she wanted to be an art teacher. After earning her degree from Western Washington University, she completed her student teaching during one of the most unusual times in education, the first year after the pandemic. 

“That experience was eye-opening,” she recalls. “I loved student teaching but knew I wanted to take on a full-time teaching position where I could make an impact.” 

Shortly after graduating, she began applying for teaching roles and when a position opened at ISWA, it felt like the perfect fit. Even while recovering from COVID herself during the interview process, her dedication and enthusiasm for teaching shone through. 

“I have been with ISWA since January 2022 and have been working here for three years and eight months,” she says proudly. “I absolutely love it and appreciate working with such enthusiastic, caring, and kind staff. We have some wonderful students, which makes the job so fun!” 

Leading the High School Art Club 

In addition to her daily teaching, Ms. Castro serves as the advisor for ISWA’s High School Art Club, marking her first year in this leadership role after previously supporting the Cooking Club. With nearly 60 students signed up and around 12 active participants each week, she keeps the environment lighthearted and creative to ensure everyone feels welcome. 

Every Tuesday, members meet for about half an hour starting with a quick PowerPoint welcome slide before diving into sketchbook prompts, whiteboard brainstorming, and casual conversation. Her goal is simple yet impactful: to make art a joyful and meaningful part of each student’s week. 

While art is often thought of as a hands-on subject, Ms. Castro has found innovative ways to foster creativity and collaboration in the virtual classroom. Through Padlet, students share their artwork, comment on each other’s pieces, and build a statewide community that celebrates artistic expression. 

Ms. Castro brings energy and fun to every session with music, sketch prompts, and digital tools. “I made a playlist and use a draw prompt generator,” she says. “Each session feels like a social space where students can relax, express themselves, and be creative together.” 

For Ms. Castro, art is as much about emotional growth as it is about technique. “This should be relaxing,” she says. “Art class isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress and having a space where you can express yourself. I am currently planning a unit to help our HS Art Club students learn how to curate and make professional digital art portfolios! This is a great way for students to catalog and organize their many works into a digital portfolio they can share, print, add to and use for professional / post high school endeavors.” 

A Teacher Who Leads with Heart 

Whether she’s guiding a kindergartener through their first brush strokes, helping a seventh grader explore digital design, or bringing her energy to the HS Art Club, Ms. Castro’s virtual classroom is built on encouragement, positivity, and creativity. Ms. Castro recently graduated with a Master of Education in Educational Technology and Instructional Design. She says: “As a first-generation college graduate, this achievement represents a major personal milestone. I hope to inspire students to reach for the stars and know they can do whatever they set their mind to.” 

Her students learn that mistakes are part of the process, that every artist has their own rhythm, and that the act of creating itself is something worth celebrating. 

Through her art classes and club, Ms. Castro continues to show that inspiration can thrive anywhere when passion and creativity come together. 

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