Mrs. Hansen and Hooligans

This month, I have been teaching 5th grade summer school! I’m so happy to be back in the classroom, focusing on ELA and Math for 3 hours a day, 3 days a week! Although, nothing is better than ART! Of course I’ve manipulated some ways to incorporate art into our lessons.

We’ve been reading Fish in a Tree, about a dyslexic 6th grader and her struggles and wins at school. My students have blown me away with their insights. Deep discussions, leading to amazing writing.

I also love that they’ve already learned the standard algorithms for multiplication and division. We drill every day, and consistent daily practice together has proven to help them master this skill.

Something I really love and wish I could tell their teachers is that they use the vocabulary terms, strategies and skills their teacher taught them, and they explain them to me, the art teacher/summer 5th grade teacher!
I’m excited to get to practice my academic standards, and love getting to know some cool kids who need just a little more practice this summer. My goal is to build their skills and confidence so that their parents and teachers will see that our work has mattered.

Maybe some pics will follow soon!

An amazing read!
Fish in a Tree

Fish in a Tree Fish in a Tree is a 2015 middle-grade novel by American author Lynda Mullaly Hunt. It is Hunt's second novel, following One for the Murphys. The novel centers on Ally Nickerson, a sixth-grade student who has concealed an undiagnosed reading disability from teachers and classmates for years.

It is with great sadness that Coeur d’Alene Public Schools shares the passing of former Lake City High School teacher Kirsten Pomerantz.

Kirsten taught English at Lake City High School from 2014 to 2020, where she inspired students with her love of literature, encouraged them to think deeply, and believed in what each of them could become. She also served as English Department Co-Chair, led the school's PBIS team, advised the Anime Club, coordinated GizMotion, and helped bring TEDx Coeur d'Alene to our community. In 2018, she was recognized as both the High School Educator of the Year and Coeur d’Alene Public Schools Educator of the Year.

After leaving Coeur d’Alene, Kirsten continued her work at the University of Idaho, where she helped prepare and mentor the next generation of teachers.

Kirsten will be remembered not only for her dedication to education, but for the kindness, encouragement, and genuine care she showed her students and colleagues. Her influence reached far beyond the classroom, and her legacy will continue through the many lives she touched.

Our thoughts are with Kirsten's family, friends, former students, colleagues, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. We are grateful for the years she spent serving our students and our community, and she will be deeply missed.

🙌

Art is about so much more than the finished project.

It's about trying, exploring, creating, and building confidence along the way.

Because the goal of art isn't a perfect project. It's a confident child. ❤️🎨

Yesterday was a very Special day. I cannot wait to create and share the tile wall in honor of Winton Elementary’s 100 years of education excellence! I’m so proud to be these kid’s art teacher! 🥰

What’s coming up next?

Fun things from the art room

I just LOVE being an art teacher. I get to focus on all the best parts of teaching: the history of art and artists, skills, techniques, exploration and creativity! I get to help and motivate kids. We learn about the emotion and stories told through art. We also get to explore cool illusions and tricks of the eye (a little science, and even math!).
All these great things I do, experience, and share with the coolest kids in the county.
I’m so very blessed. 😇