Resident Highlight: Jessica Zamora

I’m the elementary art teacher at South Newton, and this is the start of my 12th year. I love my job. I get to support kids in their creativity and in their self-exploration process.

I’m originally from the West-side of Indianapolis, and I attended Ben Davis High School. Even back then, I always kind of felt I would end up in a role like this. I had an amazing ceramics teacher who spurred me on in the idea of becoming a teacher, and I still talk with her to this day. She’s a pivotal part for why I am where I am in life. I was always pushing myself in my ceramic-making, and eventually I had grown in my skills to the point where I was assisting underclassmen.

Upon graduation, I enrolled at the Herron School of Art. Herron is an amazingly supportive place. I often hear people say, “I would never go back to college”. Truthfully, my experience was so positive, I would go back in a heartbeat. When I was there, I was able to fully embrace the creative lifestyle. That’s the great thing about art school— they let you become who you’re meant to be. They scaffold and guide you to learn in unique and incredible ways. To put it simply: they taught me that creativity is the best way for people to express their true self.

I honestly thought I would end up being a ceramics teacher, but once I started student teaching, my thoughts began to change. We had to video-record ourselves teaching upper and middle level courses. And to my surprise when watching these tapes, I realized my excitement really rose when working with younger students. I thought to myself, this is it: I should become an elementary school art teacher.

Thus began my journey to Kentland. It started with me sending applications all across Indiana. I wasn’t afraid to move away from family and try something new. When I first moved here in 2009, it was my first time living on my own and I knew absolutely no one. You can imagine that for most people this might be a bit intimidating or scary, but everyone I met made me feel beyond welcome. If I didn’t know where something was or didn’t know how to find a particular thing, there was always someone in Kentland willing to step up and help. Kentland is a hopeful, friendly and supportive place. It’s where I’m able to walk my dog every morning and evening and feel completely safe.

My days usually start early around 4:30am. I’m out of my house by 5am to walk and run with my dog, Leo (he’s an Australian Cattle Blue Heeler). From 7:50 to 3:15pm, I’m teaching. If I don’t have any plans with friends, I usually end the day with another walk with Leo, or I immerse myself in painting and gelli printing.

I love this place. It’s played such an important part of my life. For instance, I married my husband here in Kentland. On our first date, we ate a great dinner and ended the evening with an amazing walk around Cast Park. Married six years and it’s still one of our favorite places to go.

I want Kentland to be known for its good people. And I want to make a difference here. Promoting kids to figure out their true self is my purpose. Helping them discover what they want to do with their lives is my goal. Kentland will always be home to me, and as long as I’m around, I’ll invest in the young lives who walk through my classroom door.