Art has a way of bringing people together, and for Mrs. MJ, it has shaped her entire career. A teacher at Shadow Ridge, she knew from the start that teaching was her calling, but combining it with her love for art made it even more meaningful.

“I knew that I always wanted to be a teacher, and art was something I was always good at and loved,” she says.

A day in Mrs. MJ’s classroom is a careful balance of preparation, teaching, and reflection. She spends time setting up supplies, practicing lessons, and figuring out what works best for her students.

“I prepare lessons, practice them to see what works and what doesn’t, and eventually clean up the supplies,” she explains.

Her favorite projects to teach involve graphite and colored pencil, mediums she often uses in her own artwork.

For students who feel they aren’t naturally talented in art, Mrs. MJ offers encouragement. “Everyone can be good at something when it comes to art. There are lots of different kinds of art, so everyone just needs to find the kind they like.”

Her approach emphasizes exploration and confidence, helping students discover their own creative voices.

Of course, teaching isn’t without its challenges. For Mrs. MJ, the hardest part of becoming an art teacher was completing the required core classes in college, while the art courses came naturally. But the rewards more than make up for it.

“I love my students. I develop a family with them,” she says.

One unforgettable moment came when a student won a national Google Doodle contest, receiving a computer and $10,000 during a school assembly which is an experience that brought the entire school together in celebration.

Even outside of teaching, Mrs. MJ continues to create art, mostly in colored pencil and watercolor, often experimenting with techniques for her lessons. Over the years, her teaching has evolved. After 14 years in elementary school and eight years in middle school, she’s now in her third year at the high school level.

“Grade levels have changed a lot, and some students are more resistant to being productive, but teaching has been a rewarding journey,” she reflects.

Mrs. MJ states, “I would still be working in the art field even if I wasn’t teaching. I’d probably try to make it as an artist on my own. Art is my jam.”

Mrs. MJ’s dedication, creativity, and passion for her students make her classroom more than just a place to make art; it’s a space to learn, grow, and discover the artist within.