Jan Louise Kusske I teach Visual Arts in the afternoon and team with teachers in the morning to fuse literacy and the arts together. My students call me Ms. Kusske, and parents may call me Jan Louise, if they wish. Although my first degree was in English Literature from the University of Minnesota, I have been a practicing artist for all of my life. My first teaching experience was in community education, teaching calligraphy for students ages twelve through eighty in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. When my children started school, I volunteered as the gifted education coordinator of their elementary school. I fell in love with teaching and 651-293-8625 x1405 jan.louise.kusske@spps.org went back to school at Southwest State University to obtain teaching licenses in Visual Arts and English. I then completed my Master's in gifted education at the University of St. Thomas. I am currently completing course work for an administrative license at St. Mary's University. I have taught Visual Arts, English, and Gifted Education in rural southwest Minnesota, Iowa, and finally in St. Paul. I love St. Paul students and have to confess that working in the arts with children is the most fun I've ever had in the classroom. I have two homes. I live with a teacher friend in Bayport during the week and on the weekends join my husband in Carlisle, Iowa, near Des Moines. We have three daughters. The youngest, Tessa, lives in France. The middlest, Gillian, is a lawyer. The oldest, Paetra, is on her way to becoming a physician. Visit the Arts webpage. I am available during school hours.  Please call my number and leave a voice mail message.