Kirstie Wheeler, MEd

For Kirstie Wheeler, music has been a lifelong source of creativity, connection, and learning. She began piano lessons in kindergarten and has spent her career exploring how the arts can enrich education, leadership, and everyday life.

With more than 25 years of experience in education, Kirstie has taught learners at every level, from pre-kindergarten through higher education. She is an Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music, maintains a private voice studio, and consults with schools and businesses. Across these roles, she champions the importance of creativity in the classroom, workplace, and beyond.

As an instructor with Maine College of Art & Design Online, Kirstie brings her extensive experience in arts education and creative practice to a learning environment that encourages students to think critically, explore new ideas, and apply their learning in meaningful ways.

Creativity, Connection & Care in Education

Kirstie’s teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that meaningful learning begins with connection, authenticity, and care. A formative influence was her student teaching supervisor and longtime mentor, Nalora, who made Kirstie feel seen, supported, and encouraged. That experience continues to shape how she approaches teaching and supports her own students.

“I believe that meaningful growth begins by creating environments rooted in connection, authenticity, creativity, and care.”

This philosophy informs Kirstie’s approach to online education. She strives to create a supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable sharing their perspectives, experimenting with new ideas, and developing their individual creative voices.

Kirstie is also passionate about helping artists build sustainable, healthy lives and careers. She challenges the idea that creative professionals must struggle or sacrifice their well-being to succeed, recognizing that the pressures of hustle culture can make it difficult for artists to thrive personally and professionally.

“We can live as whole and healthy creatives,” Kirstie says. “If we understand how our bodies and minds respond when faced with stress, we can learn strategies to be able to regulate, learn, and create.”

By connecting creativity with well-being, Kirstie encourages students to consider not only what they create, but also how they can sustain their creative practices over time.

Bringing Creative Learning to MECA&D Online

At Maine College of Art & Design, Kirstie brings her commitment to creativity, connection, and student-centered learning to the online classroom. She wants students to feel empowered to show up as themselves, take creative risks, and recognize the value of their ideas and contributions.

Her goal extends beyond the classroom. Kirstie hopes students will carry their confidence, curiosity, and creative problem-solving skills into their own classrooms, organizations, and professional practices. Whether students are working in education, the arts, or leadership, she encourages them to recognize creativity as a valuable tool for learning, collaboration, and positive change.

Kirstie continues to expand her own expertise as a PhD student in Organizational Leadership, where she is exploring arts- and creativity-based approaches to leadership. She is also developing a workshop on artificial intelligence and education titled From Gatekeepers to Windshield Wipers: Rethinking AI’s Place, examining how educators can thoughtfully navigate the evolving role of AI in teaching and learning.

Through her work as an educator, musician, consultant, and researcher, Kirstie demonstrates how creativity can connect disciplines, strengthen communities, and open new possibilities for learning and leadership.

Discover online graduate programs at Maine College of Art & Design and learn how creative approaches to education, leadership, and professional practice can help you take the next step in your career.