My name is Kati Cook and I am your new Art Teacher. I went to school for my Bachelor’s Degree at Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville. I graduated with a degree in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, and two Middle School Endorsements in Art and Language Arts. I am currently working on my Masters Degree at William Woods University for Administration. 

I started working in Missouri 8 years ago as an art teacher at Westview Middle School. I taught art for 7 years. During this time, I also assisted in organizing a District Wide Fine Arts Festival which highlighted the artistic skills of our students each year. My art program started out with students hesitating to create art, but by the end my students were meeting my high standards for art in my modified, Choice-Based art class.

Last year I wanted a new challenge. My principal asked if I would be willing to transfer my teaching style and content knowledge to a content class. I taught 6^th Grade Language Arts and Social Studies. I was a part of a team that wrote the curriculum for both content areas. My students were held to the same high standards as they were in art and worked hard to meet those standards daily.

My new challenge begins this year as I transfer my teaching skills to Webster Groves where I can challenge Kindergarten through 6^th Graders. I would like to challenge each student to be as creative as possible and have fun doing so. I also look forward to building relationships and the art skills of my students each year.

Share something no one knows about you: There is so much to know... just ask... I'd love to talk!!!

Family: My partner, Jess, and I love to hike and kayak. We have a dog named Echo who loves to hike with us. When I am in Illinois I spend time with my mom, dad, and sister. My sister and I love to build furniture and other needed items. My sister and I have traveled to over 43 states, many of them together. Jess and I hope to complete my list by reaching the last 7 states.

What I am looking forward to: I look forward to becoming even more connected to the students and staff through each students' artistic expression.

A quote I like: "When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down 'happy'. They told me I didn't understand the assignment, and I told them they didn't understand life." - John Lennon... This quote always reminds me to aim for happiness!