(Joplin, MO) – Ms. Jessi Vacca, a Studio Art teacher at Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School, has officially been selected as one of only 28 nationwide for the Lowell Milken Family Foundation’s (LMFF) 2025-2026 cohort of ARTEFFECT Ambassadors.
Vacca, the only Ambassador from the state of Missouri, will have the opportunity to participate in a series of online professional development sessions with a focus on “Unsung Heroes.” The fellowship will culminate with the development of a learner-centered, visual-arts-based capstone project. Ambassadors also receive an unrestricted stipend of $1,250 and a $250 materials credit.
Vacca shared, “Being a part of the ARTEFFECT Ambassador program gives me a meaningful chance for creative collaboration with peers across the nation. I look forward to discussing the intersections of art and social–emotional learning with other passionate educators. I’m excited to work together and be inspired by colleagues who bring awareness to the role art can play in all aspects of learning, while also emphasizing the nuances of what it means to be a hero — both on small and large scales — in students’ lives.”
For more information regarding the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes ARTEFFECT Ambassador program, including the full list of Ambassadors from the 2025-2026 cohort, you can access the official press release here.
You can also access Ms. Jessi Vacca’s ARTEFFECT Profile here.
About Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School:
Founded in 1993, Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School (TJ) is a Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade independent school that provides a Mission-driven, classical liberal arts education with a focus on Western civilization. Located in Joplin, Missouri, and serving a four-state area, TJ is the region’s only non-sectarian independent college preparatory school. Led by caring and committed faculty, TJ’s diverse student community fosters an environment of respect, compassion, responsibility, and self-discipline through its Honor Code. At TJIDS, students are encouraged to think critically, test new capacities, and find joy in learning.
Reference:
Lauden Baker, Director of Development & Alumni
Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School
417.781.5124
lbaker@tjeffschool.org
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