Upper School Ceramics
B.S. in Art Education from Illinois State University
Mrs. Swenson is an arts educator with experience using both discipline-based methods and teaching for artistic behaviors.
Mrs. Swenson joined Keith from the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) where she held art educator positions at elementary schools throughout the city. She began her career as a pre-K through grade 6 art teacher at Haugan Elementary School in Chicago, where she created an art curriculum that focused on differentiation, culturally relevant subject matter, and student-led exploration. She also served as a member of the writing team, which developed the school’s writing curriculum.
From there Mrs. Swenson taught at Hamilton Elementary School and was responsible for creating an art curriculum focused on technology, art history, and mastery of skills. While there, she developed a school-wide art exhibition featuring two- and three-dimensional work, organized an art club, and collaborated with parents and local artists to create a guest artist program. She also designed and created dynamic backdrops, props, and stage lighting for school productions and managed parent volunteers.
While working as an art educator at Lovett Elementary School in the city’s Austin neighborhood, Mrs. Swenson served as arts liaison and assembly program coordinator. She also implemented Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) services to help educators provide support for students with varied needs. Additionally, in Skokie, IL she exclusively taught using the Teaching for Artistic Behaviors framework with students K-8, and she worked with students to create a schoolwide multidisciplinary art exhibition.
Immediately prior to joining Keith, Mrs. Swenson was an art educator for pre-K through grade 8 students at CPS’ Casals School of Excellence, working with students of multilingual and migrant families in creating personalized art projects centered on contemporary art.
She’s a practicing artist who regularly exhibits artwork in juried shows as well as sells art at multiple fairs throughout the year. Mrs. Swenson holds a Bachelor of Science in art education from Illinois State University.
