Idaho Arts Charter School
Jan Jorgensen - Artistic Director

I am very excited to teach at Idaho Arts Charter School! I taught First/Second grade the first two years and now serve as the school's Artistic Director.  Here is a little about me:

I was born and raised in Central Oregon. I have family and friends there and enjoy my visits with them. I came to Idaho because my oldest daughter got a job teaching here and I thought it would be interesting to live somewhere else for a change! I am enjoying the water-park, the weather and the theatre, among other things. I have three wonderful daughters. Two live in Nampa and my middle darling lives in Vancouver, Washington.  I have my undergraduate degree from Oregon State University and my master’s degree from Eastern Oregon University.

In the past twelve years I have been a kindergarten teacher and music teacher (in the same year!) 1st, 3rd and 5th teacher, a 1-5 art teacher and counselor. I had a part in the start up of our Magnet School for the Arts in Redmond and enjoyed all the activities and planning that came with it. During that time I was the 1st -5th after-school drama director where we did theatrical work that I adapted (Shakespeare, etc.) and Music Theatre International productions such as Annie and Fiddler on the Roof. Our biggest production was our version of the Broadway show The Lion King. We had so much fun with mask making, kid batik , singing and dance! I was the co-crazy person behind our "DaVinci Days" where we had whole school participation in the arts, science and cooking! I’ve also been involved in Murder Mystery dinner train, our own small production company (writing original material) and The Juniper Opera Company in Bend, Oregon.

I enjoy gardening, artwork, acting (MTI) and I love to travel. We have been many places but my favorite is the Eiffel Tower. I hope to go back soon. This summer we plan to go to Yellowstone for a return visit and we are looking forward to some time at the coast too.

I am looking forward to meeting all of the people who will be involved in our school. I am thrilled to have an opportunity to teach in such a pathbreaking/progressive thinking school. We will have great year!

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