Inspiring wonder, one student at a time.

Apollonia Donaghy is an artist, educator, and lifelong advocate for creative learning. Raised in the seaside community of Long Beach, New York, she grew up surrounded by the Atlantic coast and a rich artistic culture, experiences that shaped her lasting appreciation for art, nature, and community.

She earned her B.S. in Fine Arts Education from Hofstra University, specializing in painting, and her M.A. in Studio Art from Adelphi University with a concentration in sculpture and ceramics. Her graduate studies continued well beyond that degree, including coursework in Educational Leadership and enough additional credits for a second master's.

After relocating to the Reno-Tahoe area, Apollonia joined the Washoe County School District, where she transformed an advanced ceramics class of fewer than ten students into one of the school's most sought-after programs. Advanced enrollment grew to more than 80 students, beginning classes consistently filled to capacity, and demand ran so high that the school assigned her an additional ceramics section during her prep period.

She also established the school's first AP Studio Art program. After completing AP Summer Institute training at Sacramento State University, she built the program from the ground up, offering all three College Board portfolio pathways: AP 2-D Art and Design, AP 3-D Art and Design, and AP Drawing. Her students have earned recognition at the local, state, and national levels, including one who won the Congressional Art Competition for Nevada's 2nd District, earning a year-long exhibition in the U.S. Capitol and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for the national celebration.

Committed to supporting fellow educators as well, she completed formal mentor training and has mentored new teachers. Beyond the brick and mortar classroom, she has spent over a decade teaching online through Nevada Connections Academy and Imagine Learning, a reflection of her commitment to educational technology and her belief that meaningful, creative instruction can reach students anywhere. She brings the same warmth and creativity to the digital classroom that defines her in-person teaching.

She holds active teaching licenses in four states and has also worked with Nevada PEP, advocating for special education accommodations. She has particular experience supporting twice-exceptional learners and students with special needs, including autism.

Students gravitate to her classes because she has a gift for seeing the best in people and celebrating it, giving students real independence to follow their own creative interests as they develop craftsmanship and confidence in their own artistic voice.

A devoted wife and mother of four, Apollonia finds her greatest inspiration exploring America's National Parks with her family on cross-country road trips, stargazing and studying astronomy, and writing and illustrating children's books that bring together her passions for family, art, imagination, and adventure.