Underwood Hills Focus School

Barb Schroeder earned a Bachelor of Art and Masters in Education from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, specializing in watercolor. In addition, she received a BFA degree in Interior Design, with an architectural background, from Iowa State University. Currently she is teaching art for the Omaha Public School System. Since 1972 she has been an artist and educator. She has instructed students from Pre School to adult, including special needs and gifted classes. As a teacher she enjoys mentoring students in both two dimensional and three dimensional media. She includes art projects which are cross curricular and include learning about the cultural diversity around the world. Her goals as a teacher are to be diverse, encourage artistic expression, develop motivational learning, and be adaptive to every person’s ability. Ms Schroeder finds teaching a stimulating and challenging environment. As an instructor she encourages hard work, imagination and individuality. Her students have had art work selected for the Omaha Summer Arts Festival, the Artist as Teacher/Teacher as Artist show at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and the Audubon Art Competition. She also painted two benches for the Metro Area Transit “Benchmarks” public art project.

Barbara Schroeder sometimes describes her life and profession as a triangle. Her life is comprised of teaching art, creating art in many media areas, and working with clients on commercial and residential architectural interior design projects. She produces commissioned art work in traditional and contemporary styles including hand painted canvas rugs, custom painted fabric, and one of a kind accessories. Barbara has completed projects throughout the United States and Canada. She has won several art and architectural design awards. Ms. Schroeder has also been teaching through the Nebraska Artist in Residency Program since 1991. The past three years she has served as an assembly representative through the Omaha Education Association, on the NSEA Metropolitan Board and has attended the NSEA Metro District Assembly as a delegate. Barbara has also attended two National Education Conventions as a representative for the Omaha Education Association.