Aura's passion for arts integration in education led her to create a pint-size orchestra in an elementary school. Among her student-centered achievements, Education Minnesota captured her philosophy of education in a statewide television commercial titled "validatED." The Minnesota Orchestra Showcase Magazine published her essay, "Practice, the Best Homework," which defined her lifelong pursuit of advocating arts education and academic equity for all students. The Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA) recognized her for leadership accomplishments in 2012 by awarding her a Division Leadership Award.
Dr. Wharton-Beck earned her Ed.D. degree of the University of St. Thomas College of Education, Leadership and Counseling. She is the recipient of the 2017 University Advocates for Women and Equity Award (Sapientia Award) for scholarly or creative work focused on women. Aura is producing a documentary film based on her dissertation, African American Government Girls: Unspoken Narratives of Potential Perservance and Power.