Welcome to the Dragonfly Studio...where creativity SOARS!: About Mrs. Gocken

Go Salukis! After graduating from SIUC, I was a stay-at-home mom for our two children. Once Emma started kindergarten, I began substitute teaching. Shortly thereafter, I was asked to be a long-term sub for the art position. I eagerly accepted and this is my ninth year at Pecatonica Elementary.

I live in Westlake Village with my husband Rich, who works in institutional research at Rock Valley College, our two kids, dog, two cats and a really cool tortoise named Otis! In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, camping, morel mushroom hunting, working in my garden, and finding old junk to re-purpose! I love living and working in a small town community!

I look forward to beginning our fifth year with transitioning to TAB (Teaching for Artistic Behavior)! The students are just as excited as I am to be creating authentic child art! Learning through experimentation and process is much more emphasized than final product. Parents are welcome to volunteer in the Dragonfly Studio!