Conversations with Anna Mohr Feria

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Mohr Feria.

Hi Anna, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am an art teacher at Clarendon Elementary School. I’ve been in the Osborn School district for 14 years now in the Melrose district of Phoenix. I started doing art booths with students for our school fundraiser in the Melrose district, which got me into doing art festivals on Melrose, in downtown Phoenix and Tempe. For the last 3 years I focused more on coordinating the 21st century learning community at my school and having an art club as well. This year, we did not get the federal grant for the after school clubs, so I’m open to trying new things with my art this year. I’ve been learning about energy work over the last couple years, so if there is a way to incorporate that with my art, I would be very happy.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road and continues to be bumpy. I have barely broken even when I sold my work at art festivals and got burnt out quickly on those. I have started and deleted more than one website. Tried an art selling course, but I’ve had more success selling my art to beautiful, spiritual women who were learning about energy work with me. I have found success in leading after school clubs and being a leader in my school community after being overlooked for many years too. I now have a principal who is a servant leader who sees my potential and has pushed me to serve my school community.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m really proud of the work I have done in my school district over the past few years. I got my principal certificate after I got a second master’s degree a few years back. With that I served my school as a leader with my special area class team and with the after school clubs. When I first started my school gave me an award for growth. This past year our school got an A+ award and our leadership team went to Washington DC to present at an NIET leadership conference. At the end of the school year my peers chose me to be a “Spotlight” in our district. An article was written and put on our social media pages. They do about 1 person per month for the whole district.
Prior to this, maybe 8 or 9 years ago, the arts team in our school district won the governor’s art award for Osborn School district.

I love teaching art to students. After I got my principal license I went to teach behavior students in our Change Maker program right before COVID hit. It was difficult, but my favorite part was doing art therapy type lessons with these kids who have severe trauma. Going back into the regular art classroom after COVID, I realized all the kids experienced trauma, so I was able to bring some of the skills I learned at the behavior school to the regular classroom. I have sensory toys and a calming corner in my art room. I work hard to make my classroom a safe space for students to create. I’m really proud of that too.

What makes you happy?
Creating and serving. I love to create my own art, but being able to teach it to others while creating a safe space, brings me a great deal of joy. With that I have enjoyed serving by securing thousands of dollars in grants and giving kids opportunities to try things they may not have otherwise had the opportunity to do. That’s also why I like teaching ceramics to my students as they may not have the opportunity for such a thing at any other time in their lives. A couple years ago I was able to get a new kiln for our school through one of the grants I’ve received over the years. When I was at the behavior school I got a grant that covered lots of art supplies and the creation of a sensory room for our students.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: annamohrferiaart

Image Credits
These are all pictures with my art, art booths, myself, and one picture of the energy wall I have in my classroom.