Rick Wigre, an art and technology teacher at Jackson High School, loves what he does. Through his passion for art and teaching, he has been recognized repeatedly as an artist and educator.
IBM and Technology and Learning Magazine awarded him Washington State Teacher of the Year in 1992, and he received national awards from NASA and National Science Teachers Association for integrated curriculum in 1989. Most recently he was published in “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers 2003-04.”
This was the second time Wigre has been included in the publication, which features teachers who were nominated by students published in the “Who’s Who Among American Students” collection.
Wigre has been tucked away in his office and classrooms since Jackson opened its doors in 1994. He has taught for 20 years, the last 14 of which have been within the Everett Public Schools.
Wigre’s love of teaching is driven by his strong artistic background.
“I have a passion for art, and I love to share that,” Wigre said.
He worked solely as an artist before becoming a teacher, and he has dabbled in many different mediums, including cement casting this summer. Whenever Wigre has the time, he is expanding his artistic knowledge. He worked for many years on a team of glass-blowing artists led by William Morris, and he has also worked with Dale Chihuly.
Wigre, a Bothell resident, became a certified teacher after working for a period as an artist, and he used to frequently display his work at art shows and exhibitions.
“I’ve always had the interest of getting art out to the public somehow,” Wigre said.
He started out by teaching drawing, painting and sculpture classes in central Washington. He also had a background in graphic art, and as technology improved, his interests grew with that as well, he said.
Now, his teaching schedule at Jackson includes graphic arts, digital imaging, computer animation, 3-D sculpture and introduction to art. In some classes, he uses advanced 3-D computer animation programs, such as Rhino and Maya. Because some students are more advanced than others with specific programs, Wigre often has to create multiple lesson plans for classes so he can challenge students at all levels.
Wigre himself spends time at workshops keeping up to date on new programs and technology. He also teaches other teachers and community members through college courses on computer technology and computer art in the public schools.
Within the last several years, Jackson’s Technology Student Association chapter has taken off, and Wigre has been its adviser since inception. This summer, a team of students from the technology club placed fourth at the national competition.
Jackson teacher Maggie Thorleifson is co-adviser this year with Wigre, and she has known him for seven years.
Thorleifson said Wigre’s passion for art shows through in everything he does.
“I think his creativity and his dedication is remarkable,” she said.
Thorleifson said Wigre is a very creative person.
“He enjoys learning,” she said. “He’s always coming up with new things.”
Wigre was on the original planning team for Jackson High School, and he also was one of the founders of “Live Reflections” a night in January during which students can share their accomplishments with their parents, Thorleifson said.
He has a great sense of humor, and he seems to have a good relationship with the firefighters at the local station. This is because he enjoys teaching a certain style of pottery, called raku, that has been known to set off fire alarms, Thorleifson said.
With all of his contributions to art, technology and life at Jackson, Thorleifson said, Wigre’s recognition by “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers” is deserved.
He is very dedicated to teaching, and often arrives at 4:30 a.m. to begin his day, Thorleifson said. Students and faculty alike recognize his dedication and passion.
“He’s really well-respected,” she said.
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