Yisha Zhao is a Ph.D. student in Learning Science and Human Development, a State Certified Teacher. She has taught elementary, middle, and high school art in a variety of private and public school settings with diverse demographics.

After earning her bachelor’s and first master’s in fine art from the Academy of Fine Arts in Carrara, Italy, she entered the art teaching world to explore her passion for visual art and teaching. During those teaching years, she gained my interest in art integration, so she came to the States and attended the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) to earn her second master in Art Education.

Her background in studying fine art, teaching different age levels and living in different countries informs her sensibility of discovering interdisciplinary and intercultural perspectives in art education.

Yisha is fueled by her passion for improving art education for all kids.  Her research interests mainly focus on what roles arts play in students’ learning and how arts can improve students’ learning experiences.