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Know The District

We might be a little biased, but we think the people who work for the School District of Janesville are more than a  little AMAZING! And once you get to meet them, we think that you'll agree!

But SDJ has nearly 1,500 employees -- so getting to know each one would be just short of impossible.

In an effort to get you started, we present this story series titled "Know the District." Included here is a collection of question-and-answer profiles that feature SDJ staff members at facilities throughout the district. These include teachers, social workers, principals, paraprofessionals, counselors, directors, food service workers, IT people and other front-line folks whose commitment to students is integral in helping shape our leaders of tomorrow!

So check these out, and come back regularly for new additions!

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Ariel Frisk Lead Photo

ARIEL FRISK - VAN BUREN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

  • Name: Ariel Frisk
  • Position at SDJ: Office Assistant/Health Aide, Van Buren Elementary School
  • Hometown: Roscoe, Illinois
  • How Long Have You Worked for SDJ: 5 years
  • Education: Some college courses
  • Family: Husband, Jon; daughter, Delilah; son, Lucas

  • Ariel Frisk with Family
    What was the first job you ever had, and what did you learn from it? The first job I ever had was at a concession stand for a baseball league when I was 14. I loved it! I had a lot of responsibilities when it came to running the concession stand and closing it down. I learned a lot about customer service back then.
  • Talk about your interest in Manga, what it is and how you got into it. Manga is a style of Japanese comic books and graphic novels. (I am unable to read the Japanese ones). They are typically aimed towards adults and children who like Anime, which I do, and that is how I came to love reading them when I was younger.
  • If you could learn to do one thing, what would it be and why? To expand my knowledge of exotic animals. When I was younger I always dreamed of working as a zoologist.
  • What is your favorite color, and why? My favorite color is teal. I have always had a love for teal ever since I was little. My mom has always had a passion for collecting turquoise stones and jewelry, and I believe that's where my passion for that color came from.
  • Crochet. What is the most elaborate thing you’ve made, and what keeps you interested in this hobby? The most elaborate thing I have made to this date is a little tiny fox. I recently learned how to make cute little crochet animals, and the patterns are so easy to follow!
Ariel Frisk with Husband
  • You have a variety of tattoos. Is there one that is your favorite, or one that holds particularly significant meaning to you? A lot of my tattoos hold some special meaning to me in one way or another, whether it represents something about me, my family or one of my many interests. The one that holds the most significant value to me currently is the memorial tattoo I have for my father on my right arm. I feel tattoos have always been a way for me to express myself, and I have had a love of them even before I had reached the appropriate age to where I could start getting tattooed.
  • Share something people would be surprised to find out about you. Not many people know this other than the ones I have shared it with, but I have a BB behind my right eye from a BB gun. When I was younger, there was an incident where I was near someone who was shooting a BB gun and the shot ended up ricocheting off something and hitting me square in the face. We didn’t find out it was there until 3 years later when I got X-rays for braces.
  • Describe yourself in three words: Caring. Weird. Loud.
  • Name one item you own that you simply could not live without. My car. I have been fortunate enough in my life to where I have always had transportation ever since I started driving at the age of 16. My vehicle takes me wherever I need to go and I am very grateful for it!
  • When you were a student, what was your favorite subject to study, and why? My favorite subject was photography. I have had a fascination with photography since I was little. Watching my Nana collect and develop film along with my mother and father’s passion to take pictures of everything really helped build that fascination. I absolutely loved the two years I had photography class and all the hands-on experience I got with developing film.
  • Name one item at the grocery store that goes into your cart whether you need it or not. Apples. We love apples in my family! My kids could have them for just about every meal, and I myself have one every morning for breakfast!
  • Name something you’re incredibly proud of and something you regret. I am incredibly proud of my children. My children are my pride and joy and I will show them off at any time! My daughter is an excellent artist and does amazing in school. My son just started preschool this last year and his teacher has said a few times now that he is the leader in the class. When it comes to things I regret, I try not to hold onto too much. But I would say I regret not having more time with my Dad. Losing time with him and him not being able to watch his grandchildren grow definitely is a huge loss in my eyes.
  • Ariel Frisk and Family with Pumpkin
    What are some common misconceptions about what a paraprofessional does at a school? I have worked as a special education paraprofessional since I was 20 (11 years altogether), and I just retired to the front office two years ago. I would say the one common misconception I found in that field is that some feel we are just the teachers’ assistants. Which, yes, as a para you help out the teachers a great deal, but there is a lot more to it than that. We build these great relationships with the students we work with day in and day out, and we get to know them as well as our own children. Building those relationships is one thing I have always been the most proud of when it comes to working with my students.
  • What is your go-to move to get a kid to smile? To try and crack a joke or be a little goofy. I feel that when you act a little goofy/silly, it humanizes you to children and makes you less scary. Because as we all know, adults are scary, LOL.
  • If you could share a piece of advice with your 18-year-old self, what would it be? To hold fast and be patient. Love the ones dear to you now before your time with them runs out. Remember you are weird, but that makes you unique, and you are loved for it!

 

 

 

Past "Know the District" Features