Position: Elementary Art & Science Lab Teacher

College: California Baptist University

Degrees: B.A. in Illustration

Email: ShannonFerrer@rcs.edu

How did God call you into teaching?

The art teachers I had in school were huge influences on me, and that impact of their care and intentionality has stuck with me through my pursuit of art and illustration. I knew that God had placed me in the right environment for fostering that set of abilities, and that I wanted to help other kids have the best opportunities possible to do the same.  I’ve been working with kids since I was in middle school, have taught and led in various professional settings, and recently graduated with a degree in Illustration.

What motivated you to become a teacher at Redwood Christian?

A few friends from my church recommended applying for the art teacher position here. I was so excited to work in a community of other believers, to provide a Christ-centered perspective of art, to be able to point to God’s creativity and gifts, and to encourage kindness as an essential in the instruction to art.

Tell us about your family and how they are looking forward to this new opportunity.

Several of my family members have worked either in schools or the art field and are thrilled that I am in this position. My grandma was an art teacher and then later a special education teacher and would have been over the moon about this.

What is a unique experience, talent or interest that you bring to your classroom to help shape the learning experience of your students?

I’ve always been an avid sketcher of faces and people, and it’s been one of the ways I’ve learned to slow down and become more observant. A lot of times there’s a phase in making a portrait where it looks absolutely nothing like the person, but persevering past that is what builds skill and character as an artist.

Do you have any other hobbies/interests outside of teaching?

I enjoy taking care of my plants, playing music, and reading!

Our tagline is “Inspiring Futures.” How will a time you’ve been inspired shaped your teaching?

There’s something really special about the creative process, where once you’ve pushed through obstacles, your idea is really starting to take shape and you know what to do next.  Whenever I’ve reached that point in a project, I’ve known that this was exactly what God designed me to be doing, and it gives me so much joy.  I hope to encourage that same joy and perseverance in my teaching.