Paula Bockenfeld's career in education began in South Korea. Inquisitive and adventurous by nature, Paula moved to the Republic of Korea in her early twenties to teach English as a second language. She quickly found that she loved teaching, its particular challenges and rewards, and the interpersonal connections she forged with her students. When Ms. Bockenfeld returned to the States after six years abroad, she began the process of getting her teaching license in art, geography, and science.
"I've traveled around the world, and around the region - I've worked in West Salem, Holmen, Tomah, Onalaska, La Crosse, and Bangor before landing in Hillsboro. Working across districts in the region has helped me identify some of the most critical ingredients in a successful school district." Ms. Bockenfeld continues, "Hillsboro is really in the sweet spot - we have small enough class sizes that we can connect personally with our students, but we have the competitive offerings of a larger school."
A career in education is often defined by the small moments - the aha moment in class, a student's quiet acknowledgment of impact. These are moments educators remember, and that keep them going day after day. "I collect those moments in my memory. I still recall teaching art in Tomah, and I had one student who had really been struggling. I kept encouraging her, I was intentional in our communication. Later in the semester, she found me and said that she had created something in my class that was the best thing she had ever made. She thanked me for believing in her. I'll never forget that. That same year, I had the Ho-Chunk student-relations liaison compliment me on a project that reminded her of indigenous art and connected to a history and geography lesson that was being taught simultaneously. Those moments of connection across disciplines are important for students, and they're really meaningful for staff as well."
Ms. Bockenfeld's curious, creative spirit informs her elementary art classes. "Teaching is my joy. I love passing on my knowledge to my kids. Many students haven't worked with certain materials we use in my classes, and it's great to see them learn and become comfortable with something they haven't experienced before. I think it has also helped me reexamine what's possible in my classes. I have an idea that I'd like to introduce words and language into my art classroom. After teaching abroad, I see how other countries use multiple languages in schools to broaden their practices. And language itself is an art form. It's a bridge to other cultures and places around the globe."
Thanks to Ms. Bockenfeld for a look into her classroom, her commitment to Hillsboro students, and dreams for the future.
Staff photos courtesy of PicAgem Photography.