This story is a part of our ongoing coverage of 2024 retirees. More stories are soon to come. 

Art teacher of 29 years Deirdre Winkelhake or “Ms. Wink” as her students call her, has always had creativity in her life, even as a young child. She has a family history of architects and artists on both parents’ sides. 

When she attended college, she wanted to study both art and science. However, she had an issue with credits so she could only study art. 

“I just ended up going for art due to circumstances that were sort of beyond my control. It’s kind of like a butterfly effect,” she said. 

She then went on to be a graphic designer for United Airlines. She designed what went in the headquarters and on planes like brochures and the duty-free catalog. 

“When you flew regardless of what airline, in the back of the seat they usually have a catalog or a magazine or something,” Wink said. “They used to have an exclusive magazine that was strictly for selling duty-free products. It was a multi-million dollar account” 

But this job had given Wink a career realization: she did not want to keep doing it. There was too much stress and bad hours, and she didn’t feel fulfilled. So she became an art teacher to continue the design aspect of her life and to help kids. 

After nearly three decades in the classroom, she said she’s been able to do what she set out to do. 

“For me, it’s not like a single memory. It’s, it’s a, it’s like stars in the sky. It’s all those little moments you have with just any student, sometimes faculty, where something just kicks in and their face lights up,” she said. “The creativity happens when we have big brainstorming sessions and help people figure out their creativity and teach the creative process.”

Celeste Zito, a junior who has taken many art classes said that she will miss Wink’s relatability and down-to-earth attitude. 

“She gives us a space to relax and we never feel rushed. We’ll miss her experience and chillness. It’s a hard thing to replicate especially since she’s been at East for so many years,” Zito said. 

In the spring, Wink stays at school for 16-hour days to set up the art show in the foyer. Everyone in all of the art classes can display their work where their peers, friends, and family members can view it. 

“She helps set up art shows and promotes everyone to share their best artistic self,” said Zito. 

Wink said the social interaction is very important in the classroom. While she gives students space to focus on their artwork or listen to music, she puts in the effort to personally get to know them, asking them about their hobbies and family. 

“She tries to get her students to talk to other students as well,” said Zito. “She gets them to interact and have each other ask questions or say hi.” 

Outside of the classroom, Wink is involved in her community. She has been a conversationalist since a young age. She has fond memories of spending most of her childhood in her treehouse, sleeping, and making art up there. 

“By the time I was in college, I would go to protests and do clean-ups. A few friends of mine, we started a bio matters group 15 years ago,” Wink said. 

Her group has focused on recycling and clean energy at their church. She also is a member of the Nature Conservatory and the Prairie Food Co-op. 

“I also volunteer. Volunteering can have very beautiful moments,” she said. 

When Wink retires she’s looking forward to having more free time and being with her family. Wink’s father is 98, so she will devote more time to taking care of him. Her daughter is graduating from Glenbard South, so Wink will get to move her into college. She also wants to take her daughter to Japan. 

“I’m going to seek out beauty wherever I can find it. When I get up in the morning I can have my cup of coffee on my deck and just enjoy the birds. That’s the beauty to me. Or I can get up in the morning and if I feel like I want to paint, I can just go paint.” 

Wink said she will most miss the diversity and creativity of East students. 

“I just want to thank everyone for having me,” she said. “I know it sounds weird because if you’re a student you don’t have a choice, but I want to say thank you to all the wonderful staff and students I’ve had over the years.”