Ben Lippen Stories

Ms. Joanna Bauer

Teaches: 5th Grade

Ms. Bauer has been teaching at Ben Lippen since 2002 but has been at our school much longer having graduated from Ben Lippen in 1991. Prior to attending Ben Lippen for high school, Ms. Bauer grew up in Medellin, Colombia, where her family served as missionaries for 12 years! Her parents are now retired and live here in Columbia. Her older brother, who has three children, teaches at Francis Marion University. In her free time, Ms. Bauer enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, and quilling (wondering what “quilling” is? Quilling is a papercraft where you cut paper into long, thin strips, roll the pieces into different shapes and then glue it to form decorative art).

What is something most people don’t know about you? I started collecting nativity scenes when I was in middle school and now have an extensive collection including some from over 40 different countries in many different mediums.

What do you love most about teaching 5th grade? I love that at this level learning is becoming more personal and the students are thinking more for themselves. It is fun to challenge their thinking and have discussions.

What do you love most about teaching your students? I love seeing new things come alive in my students’ minds as they learn. When a new concept makes sense, it is so much fun to see it written all over their expressions.

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