REnee Sonka
Lower and Upper School Art
What classes are you currently teaching?
Upper School: Drawing, Applied Drawing, Painting, Applied Painting, Studio 2D
Lower School: Fourth Grade Art
What are your favorite things about MPA?
Mounds Park is, at heart, in the business of fostering the potential in children and helping them realize that potential. I am proud to be part of that important work.
How would you describe yourself?
Grateful. Spirited. Nurturing.
Tell us about yourself outside of MPA.
In addition to being an art teacher, I am happily busy being a mother, wife, yoga enthusiast, outdoor lover, live-music patron, and spirituality seeker.
Why did you choose to become a teacher?
"The whole is worth more than the sum of it's parts." - Aristotle
I enjoy being part of a community, where the efforts of all individuals are cumulative. The classroom is a community.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
The goal is for students to understand that beyond the product, art is about exploration, expression, and communication. Seeing this understanding in action is one of the joys of being an art teacher. Also, laughter is a daily part of life in the classroom, which I love.
What is a life lesson that you hope to teach all of your students?
In a world where change is the constant, and information is infinite, we need more than ever to be simultaneously grounded in ourselves and connected to others. Art can both foster that groundedness and be the conduit for that connectedness.
What is your classroom philosophy?
Respect. Listen. Communicate. Generate. Work. Respond. Reflect. Contribute.
In your words, why is so important that MPA teaches students to think independently?
In a world of over seven billion people, our potential is limited unless we are able to act from a place of uniqueness and authenticity. This starts with independent thinking.
Who inspires you?
Jonas Salk. Dorothy Day. Edwin Hubble. Frida Kahlo. Chuck Close.
Education:
Continuing Studies, Sumi-e painting with Yuming Zhu, Dee Teller & others
Continuing Studies, Painting & Drawing, Minneapolis College of Art & Design
Continuing Studies, Painting, Hamline University, St. Paul, MN
B.F.A. Iowa State University, Ames, IA, with distinction
Honors:
Iowa State University’s Highest Art Education Graduate, 1996
Experience:
1998-present: Teacher, Mounds Park Academy
2010 Participant, Academy for Excellence in Teaching, Chicago, IL
2007-09 Exhibited works of art, various state & national venues
1997-98 Art Instructor, Colfax-Mingo Middle School, Mingo, IA
1995-98 Art Instructor, Colfax-Mingo High School, Colfax, IA
Memberships:
Sumi-e Society of America
Sumi-e Society of America, Minnesota Chapter
