My name is Joan Biese, and the Wisconsin outdoors was my first classroom as a child. We had a pool in our backyard, and I learned to swim, then waterski, at a very young age. I also developed a very early interest in gardening--both decorative, flowering plants and edible home-grown foods, with my parents' support and encouragement. I've always had a curious mind to figure out how things work, "what will happen if...," and "how can I get that to happen again"--or not, depending on the situation! I learned how to play the guitar, and even explored playing the banjo for a couple of years when I was in junior high school. We spent our family time on the water or working on our gardens in the warmer months, and sledding, skiing, or just enjoying the snow during the winter. My grandma was my babysitter before I was of school age, and she taught me how to knit, bake, garden even more, and speak a bit of German on the side. 

My interests expanded once I was a teenager. I enjoyed drawing, journaling, writing poetry, and reading as much as I could when the weather wouldn't let me be outside. I learned how to preserve food by freezing and canning, developed an interest in creating "fancy" flower gardens like I'd seen on a trip to Florida, and, in high school, started documenting family recipes that had been handed down for many years before I was born. I loved to read, create things, grow things, so much like I do to this day!

My interests and hobbies truly stem from my youngest days:  I still enjoy doing so many of those activities I did as a child, with the same curiosity and wonder! I ski, kayak, swim, garden, enjoy my pets, bike, go for walks, or just find a great spot to sit and read or write outside. I still  love to doodle, knit, cook and bake, and those recipes I started saving eventually became Google Docs, which document so many special family occasions we've had, and are still getting updated with more "gotta save!" recipes I discover. 

In closing, I want to say a few words about how blessed and excited I feel to become a member of the staff! This teaching opportunity embodies so many of the lifelong passions I value, in both my personal and professional experiences, that it is truly a dream come true!