As the end of the school year nears, many arrangements are already being made for next year. East Noble High School is seeing the most dramatic changes in its arts department. Most know that after teaching and directing for 48 years, Mr. Craig Munk will be retiring after the 50th anniversary show. Chloe Hines, a graduate of Ball State who completed her student teaching with Munk, will be taking over as theatre teacher and director next fall.

Changes will also be seen in East Noble’s fine arts department, as this marks Mrs. Katie Craney’s last year teaching here. Craney has played such a major part of the arts department and even more so the incorporation of technology in an art class room. That being said, let’s take a look at not only Mrs. Craney’s experience at East Noble, but what led to her teaching here and what her future plans are.

Mrs. Craney grew up not far from Kendallville, graduating from Bluffton High School and Saint Joseph’s College. Craney did not originally plan on going into art education (started school as an elementary education major with an art minor), but changed her major after her freshman year. She then proceeded to teach one year in southern Indiana as well as teaching fifth grade art in New Albany.

After filling a vacancy in the art department following Mr. Richardson’s retirement, Craney has taught at East Noble for five years. Her time here has been a major learning experience. When she first interviewed, she was not accustomed to a one-to-one technology-based system. “I asked about it just to be sure.” she said. This presented Craney with the challenge and opportunity to incorporate technology into an art classroom, which is not an easy feat. However, this allowed her to add more interest in her projects which increased student enthusiasm and, likewise, participation and involvement in class.

Her experience at East Noble has not benefited her teaching skills and knowledge of the advanced subjects that she teaches, but it has benefited her on a more personal level. Mrs. Craney has gotten to know and experience more diverse cultures thanks to many exchange students and has learned the significance of connecting with students and getting to know them as people first.

When asked about some of the highlights of her time at East Noble, Mrs. Craney had many great memories to share. Just to scratch the surface they included watching the girls’ basketball team beat DeKalb when she was assistant coach, going to State with Academic Super Bowl in 2014, and even seeing many of the theatre department’s productions.

As for her future, Mrs. Craney will be moving to Des Moines, Iowa, and plans to start a career in teaching there. The rest is still unknown and undecided, but Mrs. Craney is certainly excited for what they future holds.

A huge thank you to Mrs. Craney for all of the hard work you have put in and for the effort you have given to get to know your students; it does not go unnoticed. We are all so excited to see what your future in Iowa holds, and we hope to uphold your legacy of “tie dye and hard work.”