Testimonial #27: Tom Cestaro, President Celebrities Plus, Inc.

How has your life been indelibly touched by a teacher who utilized the arts for whatever reason and acknowledge how they were instrumental in breaking the mold to allow you to become who you are today?

I had the great opportunity to have Fran as my theater teacher in my junior and senior years of high school. It was such an outlet for me and I think my life would have been different if the arts were not in my high school life. Fran never made me feel I wasn’t good enough or not doing something right. She made us realize we are all individuals, each with a special talent. It has been 23 years since I graduated high school and I often think about how far I have come with only one good reason…Having the ability of knowing that someone back in the early days thought I was special and could achieve great things! Thank you Fran..you were an instrumental part of my life back then and today.

Principal fires security guards to hire art teachers and transforms elementary school

Orchard Gardens, a school in Roxbury, Mass., had been plagued by bad test scores and violence — but one principal’s idea to fire the security guards and hire art teachers is helping turn it around. NBC’s Katy Tur reports.

Principal fires security guards to hire art teachers and transforms elementary school.