Introducing Corinne Vens!

8/26/2021

Carolyn Borman

This is one in a series of news posts about new members of the Roeper faculty and staff sharing a little about themselves through their answers to our questions. Please join us in welcoming them to our community.

From Colleen Shelton:

“Corinne is a lifer. Starting at age 6, she grew up at Roeper. I am looking forward to this talented artist joining me this year. She is kind, funny, caring, and oh so patient with the kids. Corinne believes and lives by the Roeper Philosophy and our play based and outdoor learning. She advocates for the kids, always listening intently and responding to the babes. And – an additional bonus, she has great tech skills! Welcome to this amazing young woman. She is wise, joyful, and funny! And we love her ever changing hair color!”

Corinne's Responses:

1. What is your new position at Roeper - details like what courses will you be teaching, are you working with other faculty?

I am working as a team teacher with Colleen in the Hill House, teaching pre-K in Stage I, pre-K.

2. What were one or two highlights of your life?

One highlight of my life was when I realized I wanted to become a teacher. I went to school at Roeper starting in stage II second year and graduated in 2014, but I never left. I’ve worked at the Roeper summer day camp for 8 years, starting as a counselor-in-training and primarily working as a counselor with the 3 year olds. During the school year, I was a substitute teacher for 3 years and worked in aftercare for 4 years. During that time, I realized this is what I was meant to do, that I wanted to be an inspiration for children like all the teachers I’ve had in the past, to follow your dreams and be who you want to be. Roeper has been and continues to be my second home.

3. If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be and why?

If I could live anywhere in the world for a year, I would live in the Netherlands. I went on the Roeper exchange program my junior and senior year, to the Netherlands, and it has never left my heart. I would love to learn Dutch while living there and one day I hope to return to the beautiful place and see my host family again.

4. What are some things you'd like to share about yourself, your family and birthplace?

I am a Roeper Graduate and I recently graduated from Oakland University with a degree in Art – drawing, and a minor in psychology. All of three of my siblings attended Roeper as well. I have three beautiful cats and love to share my passion for art with the people I know.

5. What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?

I am an artist, I love to make stuffed animals, draw, and I have dabbled in many areas of art. I enjoy walking through nature and reading about different mythologies, currently I am reading about Celtic and Pagan myths.

6. What is a topic or skill that you love to teach or share and why?

I love to use art to teach. It uses a hands-on approach and lets children’s imaginations and creativity out. I believe in using the kinesthetic learning approach combined with auditory learning and visual learning when teaching. I find the children more engaged and interactive when I use this method.

7. What is it that appealed to you about Roeper when you took the job?

Roeper has always been my home. The teachers here were a huge inspiration for me when figuring out what I wanted to be. The love teachers have for their students and the sense of community at Roeper made it so I never wanted to leave.

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Introducing Corinne Vens!

Bloomfield Campus

Birmingham Campus