New Homer elementary art teacher feels welcome She says she has found her “nitch” at Homer ©2003 Homer Index by Darby Cornelius

Rhonda Pebemat knew she wanted to contribute to society in a big way. That’s why she became a teacher. Pebemat is now the elementary art teacher for Homer Community Schools. She is in her fourth year of teaching.

“Before I was a teacher, I did graphic art, working at printing places,” she said. “I went back to get my teaching degree because I felt there was more I could offer through my abilities and creativity.“By pursuing education, hopefully I will have a positive influence on young people,” she added.

Pebemat, a Coldwater native and current resident, taught first, fourth and fifth grades at Coldwater schools before accepting the position at Homer This is Pebemat’s first year teaching art full time.“Last year, I taught art at Coldwater half time;” she said. “The other half, I taught first graders.

“I feel fortunate to have had 30 much teaching experience in such a short time,” she said. “To truly empathize with other teachers in the building, I have to have been in their place.”

Pebemat received her bachelor of arts degree in elementary education
from Tri-State University. She received her associate of fine arts degree
from Kellogg Community College.

She now teaches art to young fives through fifth grade students.“I love teaching art,” she said. “I hope I can do this for a long time.” Pebemat knows a lot is expected of her at Homer, stepping into the position of retired art teacher Ann Noller

“Mrs. Noller had a very strong program. She is very knowledgeable, and she really cultivated a love of art in these students,” Pebemat said. “I know I have big shoes to fill.”

She said she is confident that she can handle that challenge.“I want to continue some old the traditional things the kids look forward to doing,” Pebernat said.

She has her own additions she plans to incorporate throughout the year, too. She said there is a lot of flexibility involved in teaching art, and she looks forward to making lessons the students will remember “when kids bring in projects they have kept from previous years, that says a lot,” she said.

Pebemat has enjoyed her time with the students and staff so far, and she doesn’t expect that to change.“I feel lucky to be here. Everyone on staff has gone out of their way to make me feel welcome, she said. “I feel like I’ve found my nitch, my place to be.”

Pebernat lives in Coldwater with her husband of more than 10 years, Marc, who teaches electrical technologies in a vocational education program for Colon Community Schools. He also has an electrical contracting business. The couple has three horses, two dogs and a cat.