My name is Dawn Imani.  You might remember me as Ms. Dahm, I recently got married.  I have been teaching art at HDE since 2005 and I love our school.  I have also taught art at the high school level in Arizona and as a traveling art teacher in Kansas.  

Highcroft Drive Elementary is a wonderful place to teach and learn.  My own sons were students at HDE.  It is such a pleasure to watch my students grow from curious kindergarteners to confident fifth-grade students ready for middle school.

I strive to bring out the artist in every child and nurture a love of art, learning, and creative expression.  In the classroom, we explore many art techniques with a variety of media such as paint, clay, collage, markers, pastels, crayons, yarn, and more.  I introduce my students to art from a variety of artists, cultures, and historical periods.  I encourage problem-solving and self-expression as they create unique works of art while learning essential skills.  Students draw from their own interests and experiences as well as find inspiration while viewing and discussing works of art.

When I am not teaching, I enjoy reading, gardening, cooking, hiking, and creating art.  I paint with watercolors and acrylics, make jewelry, and pursue nature photography.  I am thrilled that there are so many wonderful museums close to home and I like to visit them.  I always look forward to road trips to the beach or the mountains with my family.