Lakeview Elementary art teacher and Whitewater native

As part of the Artist in Education program, Hale led her students in a project to create paintings and miniature replicas of Whitewater businesses circa 1900s from a photography collection of Whitewater history. Her goal is to build her students’ relationship with the community through field trips, visits to artists and exhibits of their work.

Hale recently organized a field trip for her third-, fourth- and fifthgrade students to view the Edward S. Curtis photography exhibit at UW‑Whitewater’s Crossman Gallery and to tour the art department.

“Attending the exhibit, touring the art facility and seeing college students work on their art seemed to captivate the students,”she said.

Through the visit, Hale hoped to show her students that like Curtis, a Whitewater native and famous photographer of Native American Indians, they too can dream big and be successful.

Hale’ students also participate in local art shows, displaying their work at places such as Commercial Bank of Whitewater, Double Dip Deli and the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library.

“Exposing students to the community through art shows and guest speakers gives them a better appreciation and respect for the place in which they live,” she said.

Hale earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1985 and a master’s degree in education in 1998. She has been teaching at Lakeview Elementary since 1987.