EDUCATION
I am an Iowa State Cyclone! 

I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in K-12 ART Education and participated in a student teaching experience in Kansas City called C.U.T.E. (Cooperative Urban Teacher Education)  I also have taken classes at Drake and Grand View University in Art Therapy and have earned a certificate in Creative Arts Therapy from Grand View.

 

EXPERIENCE
I love working with people of all ages PK-Adult and have had many different experiences at each of these levels. The earlier teaching years found me in Las Vegas, NV and in the Denver area and suburbs of Colorado.  Other places I have worked include West Des Moines Public Schools and Bergman Academy here in Des Moines.  From time to time I also offer private pottery lessons through a home studio, "Cravens Corner."  I have also been involved with the program "Odyssey of the Mind" for 9 years.  

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FAMILY
I have been married to my husband, Steve, for 32 years.  We have a son (Curt), a daughter (Jo), and a cat (Garfield).  Curt is a recent graduate with a degree in filmmaking and lives in Minneapolis. He can often be found working freelance jobs on location.  Jo is a barista in a newly opened shop called Barista's Bouquet with a branch  in West Des Moines and another in Urbandale.  Much of her time this fall will be spent welcoming her first child and our first grandchild, Elodie Jo!! 

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INTERESTS
I enjoy all areas of the Arts, yet I have a passion and LOVE for CLAY!  Other interests include gardening, being in nature, reading, knitting, baking and cooking!  Also, I am very interested in anything CHOCOLATE.  :)

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WHY I LOVE TEACHING

I cannot remember a time when I did not love the Arts.  Ever since I was a little girl...I drew...and just made things. I used to dig clay out of the river beds by our home and make things.  I enjoy sharing my passion with students and relating ART with children's worlds.  There is no greater reward in teaching than having a student share with me that they "love Art class."