A Blank canvas and some paint are what bring Jennifer Decker, a Monroe-Woodbury third grade teacher, joy. She is trading in her chalkboard for a canvas at the end of the year.
“Almost like the paint does its own thing,” said Decker. “It doesn't really need me. This paint it just creates beautiful art on its own and I love that about it.”
What You Need To Know
- After 30 years, Monroe-Woodbury teacher Jennifer Decker will retire at the end of the year to focus on art
- Her specialty is abstract pieces with watercolors
- She paints whatever comes to mind that brings peace and comfort
While she loves the teaching, she’s planning to retire at the end of this year.
“I've been at the same school for 30 years,” said Decker. “I have an amazing group of 25 students.”
Decker says the decision to make the change also came to a head after the grueling past few years of the COVID-19 pandemic. She says it took a toll on her.
In the midst of such uncertainty, Decker says she could always rely in her other passion, art.
“There's so many techniques that I really self-taught, and there's so many techniques that I would love to learn,” she said. I watch a lot of videos to try and kind of like have the courage to try.”
Decker says she gets the best feeling receiving compliments from people who purchase her creations.
“Teaching really validated who I am and who I was, and now I say I'm an artist,” said Decker.
Decker will be at Drowned Lands Brewery, located at 251 State School Road in Warwick, on February 12.