I am not the traditional art teacher. As a child I did not have the “gift” of drawing, which made me hate art class. My life changed when I moved to Ankeny and was forced to take art with Joyce Green in 9^th grade. For the first time in my life I was taught how to create art. She made me feel proud of what I was able to accomplish. It was then that I realized the power of a good teacher. Without her my entire life would be different. Art can be learned and I am proof of it. As a teacher I challenge all students because if I don’t then I am not giving back what was given to me.

Five years ago I started teaching at Northview Middle School after graduating from the University of Iowa with Honors in Art Education. In an odd bit of fate I replaced Joyce Green upon her retirement and I now teach in the very room that my artist journey began. In the summer of 2006,  I received my Masters in Education from Viterbo University in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.  My master’s research is on the ability of the art classroom to improve critical thinking skills. Although I have finished my masters, I continue to take graduate/art classes because I believe the more I know the better I am able to teach my students. This summer I took Advanced Ceramics from Dahlquist Studios, Drawing from the Des Moines Art Center, and a computers course. In addition, I am going to pursue my National Board Certification (2007-2009).

As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

                                    Mrs. Johanna Russell