GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) - September's Terrific Teacher is helping Green Bay middle schoolers get creative. 

She's on the cutting edge of a new way to teach.

Franklin Middle School art teacher Heather Schaefer says art is critical to a well rounded education.

"It is a huge part of helping kids become confident in themselves especially in middle school" she says.

" I am able to see a lot of kids do things in here that they may not have success in other areas in school. When they are in here seeing I can do something I never thought I could do that helps to translate to the rest of their school day as well" says Schaefer.

Kids take pride in their work hanging around the school.

"We mount everything they do in class, make sure it is signed" Schaefer explains. "Having the work displayed is huge because it helps the kids be confident in what they are doing".

Franklin Middle School is in the beginning stages of launching a new curriculum. It is called "The Middle Years and requires that all students take some form of art.

"The kids have to choose either visual or performing arts" says Schaefer. "It used to be that the kids would be an elective. Decide whether they like art, if they didn't like it they weren't going to take it".

A terrific teacher, hoping when her students walk out the door they take more than a portfolio of projects.

"They could use those skills to become a graphic designer, photographer, computer animator, video game designer.

Schaefer also started a yearly art show to exhibit students work. It is held each spring.