Growing up on a farm in a rural area near Henning, Minnesota, Amanda developed a strong connection to both community and the outdoors.

She took this connection to college, participating in a sculpture class where she collaborated with classmates to create a public sculpture that was displayed at an art museum in Fargo. This experience helped her recognize the value of collaboration and the ways public art can bring people together and contribute to a community’s identity. She holds a BFA in Art Education and currently works as a K–12 art teacher at Verndale Public School, where she has taught for the past two years. Through her work at the school, she has also had opportunities to support a variety of youth programs and activities.

Outside of teaching, Amanda enjoys spending time outdoors and working on her family farm. She also enjoys sewing, creating mixed-media artwork, and making sculptures. She is always interested in exploring new creative processes and learning from other artists.