Art

The Art Program at Dry Creek Elementary follows a National Standards-Based curriculum designed to nurture creativity, curiosity, and personal expression. Students explore and create in a supportive, engaging environment where lessons encourage artistic thinking, problem-solving, and cross-content connections.

I strike a balance between student choice and guided exploration, allowing students to develop confidence in their ideas while also building their skills. Lessons are enriched with diverse art history, drawing inspiration from past and present artists, illustrators, and cultural traditions. Through these experiences, students gain a deeper understanding of themselves, others, and the world around them. I also ensure that all student artwork is displayed throughout the year, creating a space where their creativity is recognized and contributes to our school community.

In the art room, students explore a variety of materials, techniques, and approaches, expanding their artistic vocabulary and creative problem-solving skills. My classroom embraces community, belonging, and self-expression, where everyone succeeds.

All projects are designed to offer a strong foundation in a variety of mediums while also allowing space for personal interpretation and creative risk-taking. As Dry Creek’s art teacher, I believe that art helps students share their stories, express ideas, and connect with others. I manage my classroom in a way that is responsive, socially relevant, and continually evolving to meet the needs of my students.

All Dry Creek students have art class three days a week, every third week. In addition to teaching art, I enjoy leading extracurricular clubs and have taught a variety over the years, including Chess Club, Fiber Arts Club, Painting Club, and Battle of the Books. I like to change it up and keep things fresh, giving students different opportunities to explore their interests.

I have been teaching in the Cherry Creek School District for 20 years, and my teaching career began at Dry Creek, where I completed my student teaching. This school holds a special place in my heart—not only because I love my colleagues, students, and community, but also because my two sons are former Dry Creek students. I very recently completed my master’s degree at Eastern Illinois University and remain committed to growing as an educator. I am always looking for new ways to improve my methods, stay current on best practices, and create the best possible learning experiences for my students.