Linda Knoll is an illustrator and painter and life-long resident of the Modesto area. She holds a BFA from University of the Pacific. After a 20 year career in graphic design, she started teaching in 2003 as a library media teacher, then art teacher. She loves to share her picture books, Over in the Valley and Patient for Pumpkins along with lessons in drawing and watercolor painting while integrating subjects about the Valley region, including its animals, habitats and agriculture. Linda has served as the CLASS program coordinator since 2012, with extensive experience in art lesson design and implementation.

Susan is a native of Modesto and paints plein-air landscapes and still-life from the garden with watercolor and oils. She believes introducing art and artists of all cultures and styles opens a window to the world for young children. Susan’s Modern Masters and Around the World themed lessons focus on the elements of art and painting techniques. Susan holds a BFA in painting from San Jose State University and worked in visual merchandising for many years before finding teaching.

Debra has been a professional portrait photographer for the past twenty-three years. As a Fresno County Native, she earned an Associate of Arts Degree in Art from Reedley College, then earned a BA with an emphasis in Art History from CSU, Fresno. She works part-time as a substitute teacher for Turlock Unified and has worked as an art teacher with CLASS for 5 years. In her spare time Debra enjoys volunteering at her children’s school in Turlock. She feels blessed to be requested to share her knowledge of art and art history with young people.

Jamie is an artist and educator living and working in Modesto, CA. She specializes in observational drawing, and conceptual photography and is particularly fond of abstract expressionism. She is a lifelong learner who is always expanding her knowledge of art and art history and enjoys sharing this passion in her classes.

Xavier was born and raised in Modesto California and has been drawing and painting since the age of seven. After graduating high school, he followed his passion for art and attended the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, earning a BFA in illustration. Though he works in both illustration and fine art, his current work is focused on oil painting and screen printing.

Betty has always enjoyed working with young people and helping them to explore their creativity. Currently, she works as a self-employed freelance graphic designer but also has a solid foundation in fine arts with a BFA in Art and Design from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. This will be Betty's second year working with CCAA's teaching artist program.

April is a self-taught artist and costume designer. She is bilingual and loves working with children of all ages. She’s been a CLASS teaching artist for six years.

Pam works in oils, paper collages, and sculpture. She earned a BFA at UCLA and BA in education from Ottawa University. Since retiring from a 15-year elementary teaching career, she has been working as a teaching artist. Pam’s art is in private collections in Arizona and California.

Julie earned her BFA from California State University, Stanislaus in 2009, then an MFA in painting from Radford University. From delicately layering pastels on paper to drawing with a sewing machine, Ms. Hawkins uses mixed media to explore abstracted, inner landscapes.

Susan is a ceramic artist, originally from the bay area, currently residing in Sonora. She travels to the valley to teach classes and inspire students with her whimsical sculpture. She also is a floral designer and webmaster, among other talents.

Rogelia is a recent graduate of Cal State, Hayward, with a degree in illustration and studio art. He’s interested in teaching any kind of drawing, painting, and illustration, including character design and comics. Roger is bilingual and loves working with students of all ages.

Pam has always loved to create. Her favorite media is paint and ink. After resigning from full-time teaching, she pursued and earned an AA in art. In 2006, her passions for art and teaching children came together in an opportunity to teach art to children who are home-schooled. Since then she has taught art for several public schools and the Stanislaus Arts Council. She enjoys helping students gain confidence while they create.

Annie was born in the Central Valley of California, spent four years attending San Francisco State University where she got her Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art and Art History. While always having an interest and background in drawing, painting, textiles, as well as, theater, and digital media, she looked forward to a career in the arts. After showing her work in shows at SFSU and graduating, working for the CLASS teaching artists program has been a dream come true.

Genevieve loves working with children and making art. She has taken art classes at MJC while also working full-time at local elementary schools.

Karen is a long-time Bay Area educator and more recently a successful mosaic artist since retiring to Modesto. She’s a native Californian but spent several years abroad learning new cultures and languages, including Spanish. Karen loves to share her passion for mosaics with students of all ages.