Idaho Arts Charter School
Stephanie Van Orsow - 1st/2nd Grade Teacher

Hi! My name is Stephanie Van Orsow and I am thrilled to be joining the staff at the Idaho Arts Charter School this year.  I will be teaching a 1/2 classroom this year.  I look forward to the opportunity of integrating arts into the curriculum and giving students opportunities that they would not have elsewhere. I have been living in Nampa for the last four years, having moved here from Bend, OR.  During my time here I have taught a variety of grades for the Nampa School District.

I grew up in Central Oregon (Bend area) and lived there until I went to college at Western Oregon University in Monmouth, where I received a Bachelor’s Degree.  I then moved back to Bend and attended the distance education branch of Eastern Oregon University to receive my Masters in Teaching Education.  I was a substitute teacher for one year in Central Oregon before making the decision to move to Nampa to teach.

I have been lucky to be Scottish Storyline trained and love the real life aspect of Storyline in the classroom.  In Storyline we take a topic and create our own story where the students are the characters in the story and incidents happen to them. They have to problem solve and figure out what to do about it, all the while they are researching, studying and becoming experts on the topic. Each Storyline lasts about eight to ten weeks. Some of the Storylines that I have done with kids in the past include Jacob’s Flower Shop (students opened their own flower shop), Documentaries of the Rain Forest (students researched, wrote scripts, and filmed their own documentaries), Mi Pizzeria (students opened a pizza shop), and Travel Galapagos (students researched, wrote articles and published a travel magazine about the Galapagos Islands.)  The great thing about Scottish Storyline is that it integrates all subjects, especially art, science, social studies and research skills.

Growing up with a very artistic mother, I have always been exposed to the arts. I can’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t involved with something that taught me to appreciate or participate in the arts.  I enjoy learning about music and am currently learning to play the piano…I’m just beginning, but it is a start!  I also enjoy photography, home design, sewing, pottery and painting.  While in college I took several classes on art in the classroom. I love teaching students the basics of drawing, painting and sculpture.  It is the greatest experience to see their eyes light up when they realize that they can create something fantastic!

My husband, Johnpaul, and I enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities including gardening, hiking, swimming, backpacking and I am learning how to rock climb!  I love to travel and am always excited to take what I learn on my travels and pass them on in my classroom.  We can all learn so much from other places!

I am so excited to start this year. I look forward to meeting everyone and sharing this learning experience with you!

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