Naperville Central High School's award-winning newspaper.

Central Times

Naperville Central High School's award-winning newspaper.

Central Times

Naperville Central High School's award-winning newspaper.

Central Times

Art teacher leaves her mark

Alumna Courtney Wells remembers a time when art teacher Theresa Funke helped repair a destroyed project of hers.


“With a big smile on her face she said, ‘Look! I fixed it! Now you can finish!’” Wells said. “I realized that she would do anything for her students… and that she could fix pretty much anything.”

Funke passed away at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston on Aug. 26. A very influential teacher in the Art Department, Funke was responsible for establishing and teaching the AP Art Studio class.


Students remember her positive outlook and caring personality.


“She never seemed to have a bad day,” said senior Edeline Chen. “Even when she was sick, she still came to school. She was never cranky and never got annoyed.”

Funke’s sense of humor made her a favorite among students.

“Often, I would hear students call her name and she would say, ‘That’s my name, pudding-tang!’” said art teacher Becky Mancuso. “It got a laugh every time.”

Wells said Funke would always help her students make their work the best it could be, especially with AP portfolios.

“If a student’s project was near to impossible to make, it would be no obstacle for her to help them make it,” said Wells. “If a student was unsure of their project design, [Funke] would help to turn it into a masterpiece.”

Students and faculty agree that Funke will always be remembered at Central.
“Her role as an innovator, tirelessly devoted art educator, friend and mother will live on,” Mancuso said.

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Lydia Fern, Opinions Editor
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