Crystal Krienke-Bonkoski

Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

I became an art teacher because art was the place where everything finally made sense for me. Growing up with a dad who is an artist and a mom who worked as a control operator at a power plant, I learned early on to appreciate both creativity and problem-solving. While I struggled with spelling and math, I found confidence and joy in art, along with a deep love for science and history.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One of my most memorable experiences as a teacher was helping a student troubleshoot a small motor on a toy car he was trying to fix. Drawing from my own experience working for a fan manufacturer, I was able to show him how an obstruction on the motor shaft was creating friction and preventing the car from moving forward. When we fixed it together and the car finally worked, his face lit up with surprise, not just because it worked, but because his art teacher understood how motors function.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use it to create an accessible, community-based art studio designed to serve homeschool families and provide enriching summer programs for North Central WI children. My goal would be to expand opportunities for students who may not otherwise have access to immersive art education, especially during the off-season when creative outlets can be limited. This space would offer hands-on experiences that blend art with science, history, and real-world problem-solving activities.