Lessons from the Frontlines: Case Study for Successful Arts Ed Advocacy

Janie Monier was elected to the Frederick County Board of Education in 2024 to serve her community’s students, schools and families.

She resides in New Market, MD with her husband, JP, and their two sons who attend New Market Elementary School. She served as PTA President for New Market Elementary for two terms from 2022-2024 which afforded many opportunities to volunteer and develop events and programs to serve the students and families of New Market. This included a Healthy Minds Healthy Kids program for parents with a child who may be struggling with anxiety, school refusal, depression, or emotional dysregulation.

After completion of her Bachelor’s degree, Ms. Monier went on to study and complete her Nursing degree. She worked at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore on the Hospitalist unit treating and educating patients. During Covid, she volunteered to work with Covid patients on various units around the hospital. She left JHH to care for her mother and the family farmette upon the death of her father. Currently, she is working on a conservation and sustainability model for the farmette to ensure it can continue to be a home where her mother can age in place.

When she is not working or caring for her family, Ms. Monier is active with her Rotary Club of New Market, volunteering at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, throwing the football with her boys, and creating new memories around Frederick County with family and friends.

Lauren G. Koch is an interdisciplinary artist, musician, wellbeing practitioner, educator, advocate, and community builder rooted in Frederick County, Maryland. With a background in Classical and Appalachian Folk Music, Fine Arts, Herbalism, and Somatic Wellness practices, she brings a holistic lens to creative education. Over the past two decades, Lauren has taught in schools, studios, and community centers regionally and internationally, helping students of all ages explore the transformative power of creativity.

Her advocacy work emerged from years of navigating educational spaces. In 2023, she and her ceramics intern, Harry Wornom, became integral voices in the grassroots effort protesting proposed cuts to Frederick County Public Schools’ arts funding. By providing supplies, uplifting student musicians, and organizing email campaigns, Lauren helped mobilize public support that successfully protected 4th and 5th grade instrumental music programs. She now focuses on building inclusive arts programming for underserved communities across the county through sliding-scale and donation-based offerings.

Lauren is also the founder of Art for Appalachia, a grassroots initiative supporting recovery efforts in Southern Appalachia. Her current project, Messages of Love & Peace Bunting, is on view at the Delaplaine Art Center. Inspired by quilting bees, resistance textiles, and Tibetan prayer flags, the project shares messages of unity, healing, and hope through workshops and installations nationwide.

She is passionate about cultivating creative spaces where people of all ages can thrive through imagination, wellness, and connection.

Dr. Kimberly Hirschmann is the Secondary Visual and Performing Arts Curriculum Specialist for Frederick County Public Schools in Frederick, Maryland, where she oversees music, visual art, media art, theatre, and dance for grades 6–12. In this role, she provides professional development, supports curriculum design and development, organizes student events, promotes access to quality arts programs, and ensures equitable opportunities for arts education across the district. She also directs the Frederick Community College Wind Ensemble and serves as Associate Director of the Elizabethtown College Music Camp in Pennsylvania.

Throughout her teaching career, Dr. Hirschmann taught elementary general music and high school instrumental music, including marching band, concert band, jazz band, guitar, and piano. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Elizabethtown College, a Master of Music in Wind Conducting from Messiah University, and a Doctorate in Music Education from Liberty University, graduating with High Distinction.

An active clinician, guest conductor, and presenter, Dr. Hirschmann frequently leads professional learning at the state and national levels, focusing on mentorship for early career teachers and arts education leadership. She is a member of professional organizations such as Phi Beta Mu, the National Band Association, and the Maryland Music Educators Association. Dr. Hirschmann also contributes to statewide initiatives through the Maryland State Department of Education, including the State Superintendent’s Fine Arts Education Advisory Panel. She remains deeply committed to supporting teacher growth and ensuring all students have access to transformative arts experiences.

Wednesday, June 18th

Breakout Session 4: 10:45 – 11:45 AM

Room: CPA 110