Hannah Russell
6-12 Art Teacher
Master of Arts in Teaching, Simpson College; Bachelor of Fine Arts, Integrated Studio Arts, Iowa State University; Associate of Arts, Business, Iowa Central Community College
For some people, the decision to become an educator is clear from an early age. For Ms. Russell, the path to teaching began at one of her first jobs after college—as an artisan rug weaver. “I spent some time on the East Coast,” she recalls, “teaching handweaving and rug weaving workshops.” It was there that she realized how much she “enjoyed teaching and sharing [her] passions and skills with others.”
Unique Interests
Ms. Russell has been teaching art since 2017 and joined the faculty at Iowa Connections Academy in 2023. She is a strong believer that the most meaningful projects—and the most rewarding learning experiences—stem from each student’s unique passions. “I foster student engagement by incorporating student interests and experiences into our classes,” she explains.
“We all have unique interests, talents, and skills,” Ms. Russell continues. “I think it’s important to see those reflected in what we are doing.” She says it's also one of the most interesting parts of her profession. “I love getting to learn about the personalities of all our students.”
Learning to Communicate
The hands-on nature of creating artwork presents certain challenges in a virtual classroom environment. To Ms. Russell, however, those challenges are actually important opportunities to develop essential skills, “including learning how to communicate through many different means with many different people.”
Students at Iowa Connections Academy learn “when and how to ask for help,” she continues. Virtual learning “gives them access to resources and people they may not otherwise have had.”
For Ms. Russell, it all comes together “when students turn on their cameras to share their artwork.”
I foster student engagement by incorporating student interests and experiences into our classes.
— Ms. Russell