Teacher of the Month - Ann Freimaint

I grew up within the Poudre School District, and have always had a passion for learning. I love art and all that is has to offer, and how it accesses our higher thinking skills and our ability to solve problems creatively. I knew I wanted to teach because I wanted to inspire and challenge the youth with ways to express themselves and articulate their ideas. Every student has a story to tell and a perspective to share, and by teaching art I feel like I can help them find that voice.

Within my first year of teaching, besides establishing a foundation of an art program in PCA, I helped arrange their first hard bound Yearbook. The Yearbook became a document that was expressive and fun that encapsulated the entire year, and was truly something special because I allowed the students to own it. I also started a Wednesday Service Learning group that is focused in “Art in the Community”, which we created art that was donated to the Rehabilitation & Nursing Center of the Rockies, and we painted a transformer cabinet for Art in Public places. The experience allowed students to see how their artwork can change the lives of people in a personal level as well as how art can be played into our community and the greater scheme of things. All that aside, I feel that within the past 2 years of teaching in this district I have truly made myself a person that my students can turn to for support- both academically and in their lifelong endeavors. I feel this is an important quality to have as a teacher, because to some—that may be all the support they will get.”