An art teacher at Buffalo’s Pinnacle Elementary School, McNamara strives to nurture a lifelong appreciation for art and creativity in her Kindergarten through third grade students.

She serves on the C.E.T.A. (Continuing Education Through the Arts) Committee, a partnership between art teachers and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and the Young Scholars Initiative.

McNamara previously taught at Franconia Elementary School in Alexandria, Virginia, where she organized a school-wide art show.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in art education and is pursuing a master’s in creative studies at Buffalo State. She volunteered for Art Partners, an art therapy program for students with special needs, at Buffalo Public School #57.