Get to know Adrienne Danner
Launch the media gallery 1 player 1.What subjects/classes do you teach? And how many years have you taught?
I teach K-12 Art and ITV Art to Palco, Logan, and Thunder Ridge. This is my very first year teaching as a certified teacher, though I handled the K-6 Art duties as a Para last spring.
2.Where did you go to college?
I attended Fort Hays State University for 5 years where I received my Bachelor of Art and Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education.
3.What inspired you to teach?
I had a difficult time through school and it was in Art that I found comfort and a passion for creating. After several years as a photography major, I decided to study education in order to provide that same lightbulb moment to students who may benefit emotionally, socially and creatively from the subject of Art.
4.What made you choose Natoma?
I’m marrying Riley Chrisler on October 7th, and since we’ve been together for over 7 years, I started regarding Natoma as my home a long time ago. For several years now, it was my ambition to restart an elective program in a Title1 school and provide a creative resource for students just as they would receive in a large school.
5.What is your hometown?
I’m a Central Plains Alumni, though Abilene is where my family has always been, and where I tell people I’m from.
6.Was teaching always your passion?
Not in the slightest. I don’t have a lot of fond memories about my teen years in school and it wasn't until many years later when I realized that teaching and helping others is a kindness that can heal almost any hurts in the heart. And from then on, it was a race to get that certification.
7.What was your first impression of Natoma?
My first impression of Natoma was a quiet town with beautiful scenery surrounding it in the area. Every person I met was genuinely kind and pleasant, and the people continue to be the best part of the community for me.
8.What was your favorite subject in school?
Aside from Art obviously, my favorite subject was History. If I had to go back and do college over again, I would have been a history teacher. The stories, messages and teachings we learn from the past are so fascinating to me, and every year we learn something new that was otherwise forgotten.
9.What is your ideal age group to teach?
Had you of asked me while in college, I would have said 9th-12th grade, simply because I never had a lot of exposure or experience with young kids. After working as a Para, the elementary age groups may be more ideal to me now as their energy and willingness to try new things is uplifting and motivating to continue on teaching.
10.Have you worked at other schools in the past?
I only ever worked at Victoria High School and Elementary School during my student teaching semester in the fall of 2022. Ever since, I’ve been with Natoma USD 399.
11. What was your initial reaction to such small class sizes?
I was very happy with our class sizes from a teacher’s perspective. The students receive more one-on-one attention and have deeper and more meaningful relationships with the staff and teachers. They aren’t lost in a crowd of people like other large schools.
12.What is your favorite sport/extracurricular activity?
I was never a sports kind of person, though I did powerlifting and track in high school.
13.What is your favorite type of music?
Unlike my general outward appearance, I often listen to rock/metal music especially when I’m doing art for myself or out on a long motorcycle ride. It forces me to focus.
