Jiana Boudreaux: The Next Chapter
By KRYSTAL RAMIREZ
The Tower
MANTECA — Art teacher Jiana Boudreaux steps into the classroom and suddenly the music brings an electric vibe to the room with paint, paintbrushes, and canvases scattered everywhere.
The walls come alive with student artwork, splashed with creativity. At the center, Boudreaux brought the energy that shaped the lives of countless students over the past eight years. But as her year comes to an end at Manteca High, she plans to open the next chapter at another education that is larger in en
Her artwork describes how unique and creative she is, with her own style that inspired many students throughout the years she’s taught and even inspired them to explore the art world after high school.
“I’m super excited because I feel like I’m going to reach even more students with this new experience,” Boudreaux said. “Instead of little old me in my little classroom with a hundred of kids a day, now I’m able to affect thousands of kids.”
Her influence mattered into the memories of generations of students who found acceptance, confidence, and encouragement in her classroom ADD . Her relationship with Valdez
“Part of her impact is also getting others to reciprocate and kind of keep that chain of positivity going.” Said Manteca high art teacher Jesus Valdez. “She’s someone that really inspires kids in encouraging creativity.”
Boudreaux’s classroom was a safe spot, filled with color, creativity, and care. She showed how art can be more than a subject and more like a voice.
As she prepares to step into a grand opportunity, one thing remains: the light Boudreaux brought to Room 42 won’t dim. Instead, it will keep shining across classrooms, inspiring not only students she has taught, but also those she has yet to reach with her next chapter.
The Tower caught up with Jiana Boudreaux to discuss her new job position, emotions, and the memories she will be leaving behind.
The Tower: Are you excited for your new job?
Jiana Boudreaux: I’m super excited because I feel like I’m going to reach even more students with this new experience. Now it's county wide. So instead of little old me in my little classroom with 100 kids a day now I’m able to affect thousands of kids.
TT: What kind of job is it?
JB: It’s all art related. It is integrating art. Creating engagement. It is providing professional development for teachers, not just art teachers – the general ed teachers as well – to integrate art in their classrooms. That’s why I absolutely believe in the program. There’s was no way I was leaving the classroom unless it was something that I truly was like, this is going to be amazing.
TT: How do you cope with the memories that you have?
JB: That’s the hardest part. The good thing is, through social media and being able to still work with students. We were still rooting for each other anyways, even as kids graduate. We’re still inspiring or influencing or encouraging things.
TT: Are you a little nervous about moving?
JB: I’m not nervous. I’m excited. I think that it hasn’t fully hit me yet, though. So, I’m maybe nervous about waking up in the morning and having a completely different thing than what I’ve been doing for eight years. I feel like it’s going to feel weird at first, for sure.
TT: Will you miss Manteca high?
JB: I will. Even though it’s crazy right now; it is almost unrecognizable to an extent. I will (mis Manteca High). This is where I went. This is where most of my family went. All my memories. There was so much personal professional growth that I have had as a teacher here. There’s been a legacy here with all of the families going through. ... You find your place here and ... I think it’s cool.