I was born and raised in West Memphis, AR. I moved to Fort Smith, AR when I was in 9^th grade.  I went to the University of Central Arkansas and received a Bachelor of Music Education and a Minor in Vocal Performance in 1992. I have been teaching for 18 years. I think music is important because music education, especially in young children, music directly benefits the ability to learn words, speak them correctly, and process the many new sounds they hear from others. Music education involves a high level of memorization and higher-level thinking skills. Students also learn teamwork, stage presence, instrumental techniques and performance, vocal performance, percussion skills, rhythmic creation, improvisational skills, creativity, strengthening of hand-eye coordination, mental processing and heightened problem-solving skills. AND, most of all, MUSIC IS FUN, ENERGETIC, EXCITING AND REWARDING!!!!

My name is Jennifer Zwissler, and I have taught band, choir, and general music to all grades for 27 years!  My favorite part of teaching music is helping guide students through the history of music to discover how and why music is an integral part of life.  I am originally from Fairfield, Ohio and attended the University of Kentucky, where I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Music Education, K-12.  I play the flute, piccolo, and alto saxophone, and am the principal flutist/section leader in the Bellevue Orchestra.   I have performed all over the country and have had amazing opportunities to perform in Austria, Italy and Germany the past few years, including a lifelong dream of performing at Carnegie Hall in New York City in 2016 and performing at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC in 2019.  Several years ago, I started working as an instructor for the AHS Marching Band.  I moved to Tennessee in 2001, when my husband accepted a job as a chemist, and is currently a product leader.  We have two daughters, Abbi and Libbi.  Abbi is a 2019 graduate of AHS and is a senior studying Sports Medicine and Athletic Training at Southwest Missouri State University, where she is also a member of the SEMO Equestrian Team (Hunt Seat) and is spending her summer traveling with them as an Athletic Trainer intern with the world class Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps.  Libbi is a 2021 graduate of AHS and is a colorguard instructor in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  She has also studied dance since she was 2 and is currently touring the country as a member of the distinguished world-class Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps Color Guard. 

I am so excited to be one of the art teachers at DES!  I have been teaching for 15 years. I hope to inspire creativity and will help your child improve his/her artistic ability.  Your child will bring home a few pieces of art throughout the year, but you will receive his/her entire portfolio of projects at the end of the school year.  We participate in many local and statewide art contests.  I enjoy showcasing student work whenever I can! 

I am married and have 3 children.  We also have a dog (Sonny) and a cat (Moony) at home.  Our family enjoys camping and traveling together.  In my free time, you might find me sewing, making quilts, crafting with vinyl or embroidery, reading, or taking a nap.

Hello, my name is Brandi Ray. I am so honored to be one of your DES Art teachers! I live in Arlington, and I have a son who attends Arlington High School. I attended Memphis College of Art and graduated with a BFA in photography. Nowadays, it is such a pleasure to inspire students to lead a creative life by having courage, dreaming big, making mistakes, loving what they do and calling it art! This will be my 16th year, and I certainly look forward to another awesome year!