Bug Me, Please!is a non-profit organization that seeks to provide opportunities for children in the Minneapolis Elementary Schools, grades K-5, to explore nature. The mission of Bug Me, Please!is to give children who live in urban areas opportunities to explore nature in ways they are not always exposed to living in the city. Bug Me, Please!, the creation of certified art instructors for the Minneapolis School District, Zan Tomko and Paige Elliott, was formed in 2012. The official launch of the after-school classes begins in the spring of 2013.
Funded by grants from the MN Arts Council and EPA Environmental Education, and taught by Zan Tomko and Paige Elliott, along with Jonathan Moses from the EPA Environmental Education Minneapolis Chapter, Bug Me, Please! is a unique program that weaves art lessons about nature with outdoor nature activities.
The outdoor activities give students opportunities to explore nature in a personal yet safe environment; the art classes are meant to provide students a creative outlet to chronicle what they’re experiencing in nature, deepening their appreciation for their environment through reflection and expression. The Bug Me, Please!program will feature seasonal-art and science-based activities appropriate for students grade K-5. Over time students will:
Understand the natural world
Develop an appreciation of nature
Enhance academic skills
Improve self-esteem and leadership skills
If you're interested in registering for Bug Me, Please!, please visit our Class Schedule page or use the Contact Us page and send us an email.
Facilitator Bug Me, Please!
Zan Tomko, Art Instructor
Zan Tomko earned a K-12 teaching certificate from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois. She received a Master of Science in Fine Arts Photography from Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois.
During graduate school, Zan worked part-time in the darkroom at Illinois Agriculture Association in support of the Illinois Farm Bureau Public Affairs and Publications Dept. She worked her way up to full-time graphic designer and then editor.
From 2004-2011 Zan taught Graphic Design and Digital Photography at Illinois Central College, before moving to Minneapolis in June of 2011. At the same time, Zan taught dual-credit Graphic Design and Digital Media at Peoria High School, District 150.
She is a recent graduate in the Public Affairs Specialist Program at Takoda Institute, of Higher education, Minneapolis, MN. All images in this Website were created with copyrights by Zan Tomko.