Teacher, Highland CUSD #5
1972-1989

Pat Imming began teaching in the Highland CUSD#5 in the fall of 1972. She graduated from high school in Hillsboro, IL in 1957. Pat attended college at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1972.

Pat’s list of accomplishments is so extensive, it is not possible to list everything in this biography. Just her work on mural projects would fill three pages. Since 1981, Pat began making mosaic murals with school children, many of which grace prominent places in Highland: The city square, the Lindenthal campus auditorium, Faith Countryside Apartments, and numerous other school buildings. Other schools in Missouri, Illinois, and SIU-E, as well as Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, the State of Illinois Capital grounds in Springfield, several churches, Mastodon State Park, Ranken Jordan Children’s Rehab Center, Magic House, and Special Olympics have been graced with a mosaic mural designed and created by Pat. Altogether, at least 48 murals have been completed. During her tenure, Pat organized an Art Fair at school each year and has provided the guidance and enthusiasm necessary to see that each child had produced a piece of art that was displayed for the appreciation of all in the community. Pat also presented workshops at the Madison County Teacher’s Institute, at Illinois State University for graduate art students, an in-service presentation at the Very Special Arts Festival at SIU-E and also at the Ferguson-Florissant School District in Missouri, Rockford, IL Teacher Association and at the Echo School Special District in Homewood, IL. In addition to projects completed and workshops given, Pat has been a member of several community and professional organizations that include: St. Paul Church in Highland, the PTA, Friends of the Louis Latzer Memorial Library, Highland Historical Society, Illinois Art Education Association as council member, Friend of Art at SIU-E serving as Foundation Charter member, Board member 4 years and a life member, and Cultural Arts and Museums at SIU-E as a Board member. Pat has also written two publications, one in the School Arts Magazine, January 1981, about the Highland Mosaic Mural, and in 1995 in The Arts in Healing Exhibit catalog-Butler Institute of American Art of Youngstown, Ohio.

In 1981, Pat received the City of Highland Appreciation Award and in 1983 the Illinois State Board of Education “Those Who Excel” award. Pat has made a significant number of lasting contributions to the school district, the City of Highland, the region in which she lives and in many other parts of the State of Illinois and Missouri.