Alyssa Rager
OHS Journalism
USD 322’s very own Rebecca Becker received the Kansas Art Education Association’s Outstanding K-12 Art Educator of The Year award. Mrs. Becker teaches every student at USD 322, from kindergarteners through seniors. When asked what she thought of Mrs. Becker, second grader Summer Pultz stated, “I like her a lot. She’s a very good teacher and very kind.”
Mrs. Becker has impacted many young lives here at Onaga, and teaches every student, no matter their ability, how to make the most out of their talent. Fifth grader Emery Weiser replied to the same question by saying, “I like when she lets us do clay pots. She’s good at teaching us new things.” Mrs. Becker tries to let the children explore many different areas of art, from drawing to making 3-D projects, she lets the students attempt them all.
Freshman Liam Conley stated in regards to Mrs. Becker, “She’s a good, kind teacher. She encourages kids to draw, be a better person, and use their artistic talents.” She also tries to present new opportunities. She takes a group of upperclassmen to TVL and at least one college art day each year. She wants to allow them to see how college art programs work and help them explore more plans for their future.
When Mrs. Becker was asked why she chose to pursue a career as an art teacher, she replied with, “As a student, I wanted to be a nurse or an art teacher. I had two really great high school art teachers. They were Dean Donelson and Daphne Davies. Between my teachers and my cousin, Mary Heck, who was ten years older than me and had a PhD in art history, I chose to be an art teacher.”
Mrs. Becker has been teaching for over 40 years at many different institutions around Kansas. Her teaching history includes: serving as an Adjunct Art Instructor for Highland Community College (Wamego Campus) for over 30 years, teaching at Manhattan High School for two years (93-94 and 95-96), substitute teaching in 11 different school districts in Kansas, teaching art as an Art Therapist for Nemaha County Kansas Special Needs Adults for one year, serving as a workshop instructor for Manhattan Arts Center, serving as a workshop instructor for Columbian Artists, and teaching many painting workshops around Northeast Kansas.
“I love working with young people. I have been a 4-H leader, a coach, and a teacher. I love art and helping children, teens, and adults develop their creativity and learn the history of art,” is what Mrs. Becker replied with when asked what she enjoyed most about teaching. Becker has not only been an impeccable teacher at USD 322 but around the community as well.