by: Michelle Horton
In a classroom filled with color, rhythm, and imagination, Stacy Deaton has built more than a Fine Arts program. She has created a space where children feel seen, valued, and inspired to discover what they are capable of becoming. As the Fine Arts Teacher at Redwater Elementary School for grades Pre-K through 3rd grade, Deaton blends music, art, and encouragement into something that reaches far beyond the classroom walls.
Her story begins long before Redwater. “I was born in Norman, Oklahoma,” Deaton shares. “We moved to Fort Worth after the birth of my brother.” That brother, now Dr. Greg Davis, would go on to become a research scientist, a reflection of the same work ethic instilled in their home from an early age. “Our dad, Garland Davis, is a retired pharmacist with 57 years of experience,” she says. “Our mom, Sandy, adored teaching preschoolers… They taught us that hard work pays off and made sure we had every opportunity to participate in activities we loved.”
Those early years were filled with simple joys that now feel almost timeless. “My brother and I were fortunate to grow up during the era when children roamed neighborhoods by bike,” she says. “Our family spent many weekends at the lake, skiing and tubing behind the boat. The lake will always be one of my favorite places.” She remembers treehouses, soccer games, and evenings lit by fireflies.
Music and creativity were woven into the rhythm of daily life, even then. “Even after long 10-hour workdays, my dad would still sit down at the piano and fill our home with beautiful music,” Deaton recalls. “I remember hearing ‘Malagueña,’ ‘Stardust,’ and lots of Scott Joplin.” Her mother’s creativity left a lasting impression. “When I was very young, my mom often took me to her painting classes. I loved watching her create. She seemed able to fix just about anything.”
That combination of discipline and creativity would quietly shape the foundation of her future. When her family moved to DeKalb during her middle school years, another influence entered her life. “Because of two amazing band directors, Larry Ward and Don Foster, I fell in love with band,” she says. “I learned to play the trumpet, French horn, euphonium, and trombone in the stage band.” The band hall became a second home. “Whenever we did not have class, my friends and I made a beeline for the band hall.”
Looking back, Deaton sees those years as pivotal. “I received an excellent education in DeKalb,” she says. “Music, art, math, and writing were my favorite subjects. Those years gave me a strong foundation and helped plant the seeds for what I do now.” The influence of great teachers stayed with her. “I was fortunate to have excellent teachers from preschool through high school,” she says.
That sense of care and attentiveness has become a hallmark of her own classroom. “I remember what it felt like to be encouraged,” she says. “I also remember how important it was when a teacher made me feel seen and capable.” Today, that memory guides her daily work. “I try to create a classroom where students feel safe to try, make mistakes, grow, and be proud of what they create.”
Her path into teaching was less of a single decision and more of a natural progression. “My path to becoming a fine arts teacher grew from a lifelong love for children, creativity, music, and art,” she explained. “Over time, I realized that teaching would allow me to combine the things I loved most in a way that could truly make a difference.”
It is the youngest learners, however, who captured her heart. “Students at these ages are so impressionable,” she says. “I want them to know they are important and that their dreams can come true.” She lights up when describing their perspective. “I love the way they look at the world… with faith, transparency, and enthusiasm.” In her classroom, those qualities are not only welcomed but also nurtured.
A typical day reflects that energy. “Every day is active, creative, and varied,” Deaton says. “Depending on the lesson, students may sing, move, listen, create, respond, perform, or work with visual materials.” Teaching such a wide age range requires intention. “Younger students need simple directions, movement, repetition, and hands-on experiences,” she explained. “Older students are ready for more independence, deeper discussion, and more complex skill-building.” Still, her goal remains constant. “No matter the age or activity, my goal is always the same: for every student to feel successful, challenged, and included,” Deaton says.
That philosophy comes to life in the projects she designs. “The students and I love working with clay, especially when we make dragon eyes,” she says. “The project helps strengthen the small muscles in students’ hands.” Music brings its own excitement. “Bucket drums and Poison Rhythm videos are among our favorite things. The suspense makes the activity especially fun and engaging.” Then there are the moments that cannot quite be planned. “At the end of the school year, I try to plan a paper airplane lesson for third grade,” she says. “It is wonderfully chaotic. Their enthusiasm and laughter make it one of my favorite lessons.”
Behind every activity is a deeper purpose. “Fine arts are not extra,” Deaton emphasized. “They are essential.” In her view, the arts shape the whole child. “When students sing, play music, or create artwork, they engage many parts of the brain at once,” she explained. “The arts strengthen learning in subjects like reading and math, support social-emotional growth, and give students a healthy outlet for self-expression.”
Deaton sees that impact daily. “I have seen students grow in confidence, become more willing to participate, and feel more comfortable expressing themselves,” she says. “Through weekly art and music classes, children develop patience, resilience, and pride in their work.” For some students, the arts become a turning point. “Sometimes a child who struggles in one academic area will shine in the fine arts,” Deaton notes. “Confidence resulting from that success can positively affect everything else in that child’s life.”
Building that confidence is one of her greatest priorities. “I believe confidence begins with a classroom where students feel safe, supported, and unafraid to try,” she says. “Mistakes are not merely accepted; they are welcomed as signs that learning is happening.”
She finds simple, intentional ways to reach even the most hesitant students. “When I point out specific sounds or patterns that impressed me, their faces light up with pride,” she says. “Those moments are incredibly meaningful.” Strategies like partner discussions help ease students into participation. “Sharing an idea with one classmate gives students a chance to practice without pressure,” she explained.
Her philosophy is summed up in a phrase often heard in her classroom: “Turn your mistakes into masterpieces.” As Deaton puts it, “Students learn that it is okay to make mistakes. They can use their imagination to change, add to, or enhance the mistake.” That balance of structure and freedom is intentional. “Strong lessons are grounded in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, while also allowing room for flexibility,” she says. “If a student understands the skill being taught but wants to show their understanding differently, I welcome their wishes to ‘go rogue.’”
Beyond the classroom, family is an important part of Deaton’s life. “My husband, Paul, and I have been married for thirty-four years. He is loving, hardworking, and an amazing dad and best friend. Together we have three incredible children who make us proud every day. We also share our home with a small menagerie of rescued critters,” she says.
Deaton’s work also helps shape the culture of Redwater Elementary and the broader community from beyond her school room walls. “At Redwater Elementary, fine arts bring people together in meaningful ways,” she says. From holiday performances to Veterans Day tributes, students are given opportunities to connect their creativity with something larger than themselves. “Pre-K through third-grade students gather to share their heart-melting holiday voices,” she says. “Families and friends join in!”
The visual impact is just as powerful. “Visitors are welcomed by student masterpieces displayed along the walls,” she says. “It is exciting to see our students’ creativity shared beyond our campus.” One of the most anticipated events of the year is the Artome Art Show. “The elementary gym transforms into an art gallery,” Deaton says. “My heart swells to see the pride of our students as they view their masterpieces in such a formal setting.”
Even larger community connections continue to grow. “Student artwork was selected for the 33rd Annual Student Juried Exhibition,” she says, highlighting the reach of their program. Meanwhile, the district art show theme of “Community” has taken on special meaning. “Students created ‘quilt squares’ that tell their own stories,” she explains. “I love how this activity helps students feel seen, connected, and proud of who they are.”
Recognition has followed her work over the years, but she is quick to redirect the focus. “Some of the milestones I am most proud of are not always the most public ones,” she says. Awards such as the Going the Distance Award and Teacher of the Week are meaningful, but it is the quieter moments that stay with her. “A shy child volunteering for the first time or a child suddenly saying, ‘Oh! I get it!’”
Outside the classroom, Deaton has continued to invest in students in unique ways. She earned a Level 5 TEFL certification and taught English to students in China online for several years. She also led an after-school chess club that grew to 100 students. “Chess is a powerful way to build cognitive, academic, and social-emotional skills,” she says.
Even her sense of humor reflects a lifetime immersed in the arts. “When teachers ask how I can handle 15 students playing drums at once, I joke that I was probably desensitized at an early age,” she says, recalling the music-filled home she shared with her brother.
Through it all, her motivation remains deeply rooted in the students she serves. “I am thankful every day to be a part of Redwater ISD,” Deaton says. “Our entire Dragon family is united by one goal: putting students first.” She treasures the opportunity to teach children at various stages of their development. “What a gift it is to teach kiddos year after year for nearly half of their little lives,” she says.
In the end, it is the small, daily moments that matter most. “I love watching them learn, grow, and become taller little humans,” Deaton says. “That daily joy is what keeps me passionate about teaching year after year.”
Stacy Deaton is quietly shaping something far more lasting. Through music, color, and creativity, she is helping children find their voice, their confidence, and their place in a community that celebrates who they are becoming.