I absolutely love my job, a combination of art and teens, two of my favorite things! I graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts in art and a minor in English. I began my career teaching middle school art near Chicago for a couple years before settling down with family downstate. When my children were little, I stayed home with them and led an after-school art program at the Crossword Cafe, a youth center in Chillicothe, where I live with my husband, two boys, and collie dog. I began teaching art part-time at Morton Junior High in 2015, and was thrilled when it became a full-time position the following year.

In art class, we explore a variety of media including drawing, painting, printmaking, digital art, weaving, papier-maché, ceramics, and sculpture. We also learn to observe and discuss the work of other artists, contemporary, historical, and multicultural. I believe that with just a little secret principle here and there and a bit of practice at basic skills, everyone can express their passions, opinions, and interests with visual art. Creating can be so much fun! That's not to mention the growing career opportunities in art and design.