July Art Educator of the Month is Joanne Raabe

My name is Joanne Raabe. I grew up in the Central Wisconsin area and attended college at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse.  I received my Bachelor of Science in Art Education with an emphasis in printmaking. After graduation, I taught elementary art in Stratford and then in Baraboo for several years. After deciding to move back to the Central Wisconsin area, luck would have it there was an opening back in Stratford, where I have been teaching 9-12 art ever since! I’m currently in my 6th year of teaching and love every minute of it.

The value of education is something that I have understood since a very young age. My parents made a commitment early in my life to do everything within their power to instill in me a love of learning. It was through them that I gained an understanding of the importance of hard work and dedication. I use this passion every day to continue to grow and evolve as a teacher.

Throughout my life I’ve had the opportunity to learn from so many outstanding art educators. The first was my father, Joe Clark. He taught art in the Wisconsin Rapids School District for 30 years. Visiting his classroom and working along side him in his art studio played a crucial role in my growth as an artist. My art teacher growing up, Amy Noonan, has had a lasting impact on the teacher I am today. When I was in college my art instructors, mentors and cooperating teachers were nothing short of exceptional. It was in college that my supervisor Marcia Thompson introduced me to Jeanne Arenz. It was teaching along side her that I discovered TAB (Teaching for Artistic Behavior) and I’ve never looked back. It has become such an integral part of my teaching pedagogy and I am forever thankful for that. 

The arts are such a vital part of the development of every person. It its my hope that I can leave a lasting impression on my students the way that my teachers have done for me. ​

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