Mrs. Hemker grew up on a farm in rural Westby and graduated from W.H.S. in 1993. She then went on to and graduated from Viterbo University in 1997 with a degree in Art Education. One year later, she enrolled and then graduated from UWL in 2000 with a Masters in Education-Professional Development.

She has taught for 25+ years in West Salem, she loves it here and is proud to be a Panther. She loves working with students in the art studio setting and has been able to travel to local and state level exhibitions and awards ceremonies along with her students many times! At home she is a mom as well as a dog mom. She enjoys working in her flower and vegetable gardens. She is a practicing artist and exhibits and sells her own art work around the area and even the state.