My name is Ms. Thimmesch and I became a teacher in the St. Paul Public Schools in 1973.  I have provided gifted services to Museum students since 1998.   My educational background includes a Bachelor and Masters Degree from the University of Minnesota. I also have elementary certification from Hamline University, and training for Gifted Education from the University of St. Thomas and the University of Connecticut.

I have had many experiences that have helped me provide opportunities for students. My art work has been shown at several museums and galleries.  I have taken many classes from the Heart of the Beast Puppet Theater and bring those skills to my classroom. After receiving a Fulbright-Hayes Scholarship, I spent a season in a teacher exchange program, traveling to the country of Namibia. In 1989 and 1998 I was named to the Association of Science-Technology Centers Teachers Congressional Honor Roll. The Massachusettes Institute of Technology Media Lab has invited me many summers to participate in explorations for combining science and computers into curriculum appropriate for elementary students. I have also established a partnership with The Technology Learning Center at the Science Museum of Minnesota. Through this relationship I have been able to provide many expert mentors to work with Museum students.


Karen Thimmesch, Gifted Services Specialist:  651-325-2627