A&E Program Instructors

The Lauri Ann West Community Center’s Arts & Enrichment After School Program is comprised of a dedicated staff of professional educators who bring years of experience in art education.

With a passion for nurturing and developing young minds, our staff lead art and STEAM related projects that foster learning and creativity. Many of staff members are practicing artists themselves.

Do you have a background in arts education and enjoy working with children? Click here to learn about joining our team of instructors.

Our Instructors

Wade KrammWADE KRAMM, DIRECTOR OF ARTS & ENRICHMENT

For more than 15 years, Wade has developed and taught STEAM and Maker programs in Pittsburgh, Providence, RI and Brooklyn, NY. A strong believer in a hands-on approach to science and learning, Wade strives to create lessons that spark curiosity, experimentation and discovery.

As an artist, Wade’s interest in participatory art and perception has led him to explore a variety of subjects including stop-motion animation, hand-cranked automata, pop-up books and action origami. Wade is excited to share his expertise, curiosity and enthusiasm for teaching with the Lauri Ann West Community Center.

Wade holds an MFA in sculpture from Rhode Island School of Design and a BFA from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Bobbie CubbageBOBBIE CUBBAGE, A&E INSTRUCTOR

Bobbie has been teaching at the Lauri Ann West/Boyd Community Center since 2011 and has more than 20 years experience teaching children of various ages. She currently works for the Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church Preschool.

Mrs. Cubbage has a BA in Journalism and Communications from Point Park University. She is a certified youth fitness instructor and holds certification from the Penn Foster Early Childhood Program, as well as numerous professional development certificates from Penn State, PAEYC and FCASD Early Learning Consortium.

“I love the ‘a-ha’ moment in a student. That moment when you’ve been teaching the children something and the light bulb comes on! They really get it! At that moment, you know why you do what you do, and why you are so passionate about your position,” she says.

Stella PetragliaSTELLA PETRAGLIA, A&E INSTRUCTOR

Stella Petraglia has been with the A&E program as a classroom educator since 2015.

She graduated from Slippery Rock University with a degree in education.

For the past 20 years, she has worked in various positions working with children whether it was as a camp counselor, kindergarten teacher, before and after school programs, and director of child programming for the YMCA and summer camp.

Currently, she works for a cyber charter school coaching families and students on how to be successful as well as the day camp director for Camp Guyasuta.

The most important thing she strives for is seeing the children she works with be successful, whether it is learning something new or reaching that goal.

In her free time, she can be found in her kayak, on hiking trails, or softball fields.

COURTNEY SMITH, A&E INSTRUCTOR

Courtney joined the Arts & Enrichment after school program in the fall of 2021.

She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and minors in studio arts and neuroscience. She is currently attending graduate school at Carlow University and earning a Masters in Art Education.

Courtney values and practices culturally responsive teaching and social emotional learning in her classroom. She developed a passion for art at a young age and has experience in set design, graphic design, painting, drawing, sculpture, photography and mixed media.

Her goal as an art teacher is to instill a creative voice in each of her students which they will carry with them throughout their lives.

Rosemary BallROSEMARY BALL, A&E INSTRUCTOR

Rosemary Ball was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. She grew up on a Black Angus farm in Lower Burrell where she rode horses and tended sheep and cattle while spending time with her large family. To this day, she loves horses, animals and the outdoors.

After high school, Rosemary attended Muskingum University where she received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Visual Art. Professionally, she has been involved in real estate and property management in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh markets for more than 15 years. Along with being an instructor in the A&E program, she also works the welcome desk here at the Lauri Ann West Community Center. Rosemary has her teaching license and currently substitutes at various schools in the area.

During her free time, Rosemary loves to eat healthy, work out and keep in shape. She also enjoys hiking, running, dancing and listening to music. She especially loves traveling to the beach. Rosemary enjoys spending quality time with her sister, mother and family whom she is very close with. She loves to learn through new life experiences and is excited to see what the future may bring.