Artrell LeFlore, Bayview High School, MPS
Artrell LeFlore is a music educator in his fourth year at Bayview High School in the Milwaukee Public Schools. Artrell teaches high school beginning and advanced bands, modern band and choir. Bay View High School’s long and illustrious history began in September 1914, when 150 students and 7 teachers entered the first day at Bay View High School, a one-building barracks with no central heating. With German teacher Gustav Fritsche as principal, the barracks grew first to a bungalow, and in 1922 construction finished on a new four-story brick building, which we still use today.
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Chris: What or who inspired you to become a teacher?
Artrell: I was inspired to become a teacher by my music teachers. I came from a strong program and was put in a position of leadership where I had the opportunity to work with younger students and my peers. Watching students connect the dots and have those “Aha” moments was so special to me that I knew teaching was what I wanted to do.
Chris: How long have you been teaching, and what subjects/grades have you taught?
Artrell: I have been teaching for 4 years now. I teach high school bands (Beginning, Advanced, and Modern Band) and Beginning Choir.
Chris: What keeps you passionate about teaching?
Artrell: I love watching my students form connections and make musical discoveries. Music is like magic in that there are secrets and tricks that we have to “master” over the course of years. Watching my students learn these tricks to create music is one of my favorite parts of my job.
Chris: What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned from your students?
Artrell: The most important lesson I’ve learned is that all students have a voice and want to be heard. Sometimes they might not have the tools to verbally express their needs, but we need to interpret their actions and behaviors and follow up with students about giving them all they need to be successful in the school setting.
Chris: What is one thing about your classes/students that you are especially proud of?
Artrell: I’m proud of my students learning the values of hard work and consistency. I believe these apply to everything including music. I take pride in trying to teach those skills and values and being explicit in communicating to students how they can help them in other aspects of their lives.
Chris: Why are the arts essential for young people to study?
Artrell: The arts are all about expressing oneself, but also, they are about growth, discipline, and collaboration. In the arts, we’re constantly working towards an ever-expanding goal; we have to monitor our progress, commit time and energy to developing skills, and we learn to work with others, whether it’s for the business side or the artistic side of things. These are all valuable skills for young people that work outside of particular fields.
Chris: What advice would you give to new teachers just starting out?
Artrell: My advice is to find a “why” and be comfortable with that “why” changing or at least having multiple reasons why you teach. Teaching is a tough gig and knowing that reason each day makes it easier to show up for our students each day.
Chris: What unrealized goals do you have for yourself?
Artrell: I have a long-term goal to produce an EP of our Bay View High School students playing music. I’d like my students to experience being in a professional studio, having access to quality recordings, and it could be used as a great promotional tool.
Megann Hammes-Murray - Music Educator, Sherman Elementary School, Eau Claire Area School District
Sara Danke Lukaszewicz - Theatre Educator, Wisconsin Rapids High School
Esrom Williams, Jr - Dance Educator, Green Bay East High School
A three-day retreat for school teams on innovation and growing hope
When: June 23–26, 2025
Where: Anticipated location: Lowenwood, Land O'Lakes
Who: School teams of between 4–6 people, including (but not limited to) at least one administrators, educators, and instructional leaders.
What: Through hands-on experiences, concurrent sessions, small-group discussion, networking, and reflection, school teams can joyfully explore ways to create their own pathways to hope. Participants will also receive implementation support throughout the 2025-26 school year through online sessions.
Topics include:
- Authentic Assessment
- Interdisciplinary Instruction
- Flexibility within the Law
- Building Relationships with Staff and Students
- Personalized, Competency-based learning
- and more…
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER BELOW!
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