At just 9 years old, Cassandra Hamer discovered graphic design after being given the opportunity to create a logo using Microsoft Paint for a non-profit her father was a part of. From that moment on, creativity became her language. She filled notebooks with sketches, ideas, and doodles, often getting in trouble for drawing during class.

 

The funny thing is, she wasn't distracted.

She was learning.

 

While others took notes in words, Cassandra processed information visually. Drawing helped her understand, remember, and connect ideas. But like many creative children, she rarely saw her way of learning reflected in the classroom.

 

Years later, while earning her undergraduate degree in Graphic Design, Cassandra stepped into the classroom as an educator. For four years, she worked with elementary school students and quickly noticed a pattern.

 

Many children weren't struggling because they lacked intelligence.

They were struggling because they lacked engagement.

 

They were creative thinkers sitting in environments that often left little room for creativity. They were curious, imaginative, and full of ideas, yet many had few opportunities to express themselves in meaningful ways. Cassandra saw children who were labeled as distracted, uninterested, or falling behind when, in reality, they simply needed a different pathway to learning.

 

The more she observed, the more she wondered:

​

What if creativity wasn't treated as a reward after learning, but as a tool for learning itself?

 

Then came 2020.

 

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cassandra was sitting on her couch one evening reflecting on her experiences as both a designer and educator. As schools, families, and children navigated uncertainty, one question wouldn't leave her mind:

 

What would education look like if creative children had a place where they could truly thrive?

 

That question became an idea.

That idea became a vision.

And that vision became Design Elementary.

 

For the next four years, the dream lived in notebooks, lesson plans, research documents, conversations, and countless late nights. Cassandra began building the kind of educational experience she wished had existed when she was a child, a place where creativity wasn't viewed as a distraction but as a superpower.

 

Along the way, she partnered with Waynette Johnson, whose passion for creativity, education, community, and helping others discover their potential perfectly complemented the mission. Together, they shared a belief that every child deserves a space to explore ideas, solve problems, build confidence, and create boldly.

 

In 2024, Design Elementary officially launched.

 

That same year, we took a leap of faith and hosted our first student school tour, piloting our program across five schools over three days. We introduced students to graphic design, creative thinking, and visual storytelling.

 

The response was unforgettable.

 

Students who were typically quiet began sharing ideas. Children who doubted themselves discovered confidence. Classrooms transformed into creative studios filled with curiosity, imagination, and excitement. Not to forget the educational aspect, students were excited about a new way to learn the things they had to learn.

 

In those moments, we knew we were building something bigger than a design program.

 

We were creating a place where children could feel seen. (Students never want to leave our classs)

 

Today, Design Elementary exists to help children develop creativity, confidence, critical thinking, and future-ready skills through engaging design-based learning experiences.

 

Because we believe the child doodling in the margins today may be tomorrow's designer, entrepreneur, inventor, engineer, storyteller, or leader.

 

And sometimes, all it takes is one opportunity for a child to discover what's possible.