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Bio
Cassie LaFollett is an emerging artist from the Midwest specializing in secondary art education. She received her Associates in Fine Arts from Illinois Central College (2023) and is currently pursuing her Bachelors in Art Teacher Education at the Wonsook Kim School of Art at Illinois State University (2025). She hopes to teach various artforms to aspiring high school artists and grow their creativity.
As an artist, she is inspired by the seasons and cycles of the natural world along with her own life experiences that have guided her to becoming who she is today. Cassie is also deeply inspired by and grateful for her family who have supported her in all aspects of her life, especially as she pursues art. These inspirations can be found commonly throughout her work as she often uses nature to represent the ebbs and flows of life and pay homage to her family.
Her work has been exhibited in the Peoria Riverfront Museum in Peoria, Illinois (2020) and The Coffeehouse in Uptown Normal, Illinois (2023). Moving forward, Cassie wants to continue exploring the elements of nature through travel and reconnecting with the familiar landscapes of her hometown to inspire her artwork. Her main goal is to be happy in her job while making art with her students and in her studio.
Professional Experience
2024 Bloomington Jr High School, District 87, Spring Semester
Taught a multiweek, culturally responsive unit plan
Taught art history and application
Gave feedback through formative and summative assessments
Created rubrics and graded all course work
Managed poor classroom behavior
Reinforced classroom rules
2023 What Grounds You?, Professional Art Career Practice Exhibition, The Coffeehouse,
Normal Illinois, Installation Crew
Gathered multiple artworks in a public space.
Organized and executed their installation.
2023 Regional Alternative School, Fall Semester
Redirected poor classroom behavior.
Reinforced classroom rules.
Guided students to find and explore answers to their questions.
Taught basic art elements for projects.
2023 Cedar Creek Elementary School, Unit 5, Fall Semester
Redirected poor classroom behavior.
Reinforced Cooperating Teacher’s classroom rules.
Created a multi-week lesson plan with a co-teacher.
Directed lessons in material safety, self-expression, and project execution.
Installed a student-made mural.
2022 Elmwood Jr./Sr. High School District 322, Fall Semester
Redirected poor classroom behavior.
Reinforced Cooperating Teacher’s classroom rules.
Guided students to find and explore answers to their questions.
Skills
Communication
Leadership
Conflict Resolution
Time Management
Customer Service
Teaching & Coaching
Related Interests
Art History
Drawing
Painting
Ceramics
Digital Photography
Digital Arts
Education
2025 Bachelor of Science in Art Teacher Education, Wonsook Kim School of Art, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois
2023 Associate in Fine Arts, Illinois Central College, Peoria, Illinois
2021 Elmwood Jr./Sr/ High School, Elmwood, Illinois