May 18, 2013

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Reporter: Tim Elliott Email

Tim's Travels: Bonkers for Bucky

A local teacher puts her love for Bucky badger on display! Kim Schwenn's entire classroom is decked out in cardinal and white. The only thing more colorful than her classroom is Mrs. Schwenn herself.

This isn't your ordinary classroom. But then again, Kim Schwenn isn't your ordinary teacher!

“They think I'm crazy!” laughed Schwenn.

Schwenn teaches 6th grade language arts at Savanna Oaks Middle School in Fitchburg.

She's turned her classroom into a red and white shrine dedicated to Bucky Badger.

“Now it's just like one of my students said it's just like a badger explosion,” joked Schwenn.

From a parachuting Bucky, to red and white lights, this room has it all.

“Students are always bringing me little badger tokens or little badger gifts or something, so it's comical because they get into it so much,” said Schwenn.

“I'm a pretty big badger fan but I can't beat this though!” said student Ryan Van Handel

Every year, students try to count how many badger items she has on display.

“I think it's pretty cool, I've never seen a room this badger-like before,” said student Madde Princl.

The latest estimate sits at 250.

“But I've added more this year! So it's definitely more this year,” said Schwenn.

She says this environment helps students get excited about learning.

“I believe so because they walk in and right away you can just see their energy,” said Schwenn. “They seem to just respond to it,”

Even students who aren't in her classroom wanna be a part of it.

“Yes, in fact I've had students from other houses say 'I wanna be in this room!' which is a compliment but you kinda feel bad at the same time it's like sorry! You can come visit anytime!”

Next on her list of badger items?

“I would think if I could get Bucky Badger himself in my room that would be great!”

But Bucky better be prepared to “Jump Around!”


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