About Me
Hi! My name is Ferril Gardner.
I am a Master of Education, Bachelor of Science in Education Sciences, and Associate of Science in Social and Behavioral Sciences. Through a diverse array of contexts, I have been an educator in San Diego, CA for 14 years and an active member of the arts community for three decades.
Local Beginnings
When I was a kid growing up in San Diego, I wanted to be two things when I grew up–a teacher and an actor. I first started performing on stage in San Diego at Junior Theatre in Balboa Park. After I graduated from Point Loma High School, I continued performing on stage with other theatres around town. As a young adult, my days would spent teaching preschool at the YMCA, and my evenings were spent on stage singing in musicals. More and more, I realized how much I could integrate my passion for the arts into my education practice. To further explore the possibilities the two together may hold, I started a small business called Ferril’s Pop-Ins.
Ferril's Pop-Ins
Inspired by the bigger-than-life characters Mary Poppins and Ms. Frizzle, with Ferril’s Pop-Ins I Pop-In around San Diego and provide mobile creative arts experiences and tutoring to families who need more flexibility in the ways their kids are supported creatively and academically. During the summer, Ferril’s Pop-Ins transforms into a Dungeons and Dragons inspired summer camp where we bring our adventures to life with costumes, improv, and crafting.
UC San Diego Alum
I had wanted to attend UCSD since fourth grade. I am proud to hold a B.S. in Education Sciences with a minor in Sociocultural Anthropology, as well as a Master of Education, both from UCSD. I graduated magna cum laude, and although I did not follow a traditional path to achieve these goals, the route I took allowed me to approach my studies with intention and determination. Go Tritons!
The Arts & Education
I don't take for granted the great blessing it is that am able to actively participate in the Arts and Education in my home town of San Diego. Maintaining community connection through arts integration across the various domains of my life is my own personal recipe for happiness.
Ferril's Heroes
Ms. Frizzle
The imaginative and immersive world created by Ms. Frizzle inspires me to find ways to make learning exciting and engaging. She connects fantasy and science in a truly inventive and magical way. And most importantly, she is never afraid to be herself, no matter how many sideways glances she gets from her pupils.
Mister Rogers
Adults have just as much to learn from Mister Rogers as do children. He was progressive and radical with the issues he addressed and topics he explored. I strive to always speak to children with his kindness and candor, and listen with his focus and concern.
Mary Poppins
When I think of Mary Poppins, I think of self discipline, preparedness, and pure unbridled imagination. Though she sang of a "Spoonful of Sugar," she rarely sugarcoated her expectations. She taught children to honor responsibility, find the fun, and then revel in imaginative play.
Raffi
Raffi's music helped shape my childhood, and without a doubt has impacted my career as an educator. His simple songs carry powerful messages of peace, responsibility, and cultural acceptance that are now more important than ever. His music is a tool for teaching that I bring with me to every lesson.
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle
When I was 13 I played The Magical Mrs. Piggle Wiggle at San Diego Jr. Theatre on the Casa Del Prado stage, and it turned out to be epic, real life foreshadowing. Her ability to turn adversity into opportunity transformed the children and families in her neighborhood, all using the power of imagination.
Ferril's Impact
"Ferril is a special human. She knows how to meet kids where they are and inspire them to be their best, most creative selves. Both of my kids had Ferril as a pre-school teacher. Then she became our tutor during the pandemic. Along the way she introduced our kids to Dungeons and Dragons which gave them the perfect outlet to explore their artistic, creative sides. This love for D&D turned into summer camps where we have watched Ferril guide many different kids through her unique process of getting kids to let their guard down and creativity flow."
--Hillary Hebert
“Ferril is one of those people who just has a magical way with kids. The kind where kids immediately feel comfortable and safe with her and just want to be with her. She has a highly developed skill for creating social/emotional and academic based experiences for kids that not only honors exactly who they are right now, but allows them to explore and experiment with new things to guide their potential to become the best version of themselves. Ferril has left a lasting impression on my daughters. They both had her as a teacher from 3-5 years old (my oldest is now 9) and she remains a household name in our home. She taught my girls to be confident, silly, to take chances and to be themselves.”
--Stephanie Noonan
"We have known Ferril for 9 years. We first met her at our daughter’s preschool where she was always warm and welcoming during drop off/pickup and was attentive to our questions about the day’s activities. During drop-offs or pickups, she invariably would be reading with or singing to a few kiddos on her lap, or comforting them if they were having a hard day. There is no doubt that Ferril loves kids. She also is an excellent communicator and was in charge of updating the parents about the school’s activities and events. She sent weekly newsletters to the parents that were upbeat, creative, and detailed.
Ferril puts an enormous amount of effort into creative activities with the kids. At the preschool, Ferril led an annual art show/fundraiser and her classroom’s art projects were not only artistically interesting, but also involved training in specific techniques.
Ferril’s other passion, acting, is something the kids pick up on quickly. Her singing ability is impressive and the kids are constantly humming new tunes they hear her sing. We were able to see Ferril perform in Seussical the Musical several years ago, where she played the Sour Kangaroo. The theater was FULL of preschool students watching in awe as their teacher mesmerized the audience. Because of her performance, we STILL listen to the soundtrack of Seussical the Musical on a regular basis. Ferril inspires!
Since preschool we have employed Ferril several times to pick our daughter up from kindergarten, drive her home, cook dinner/clean up, bath her and take her to bed. When we arrive home after work at 10pm she always give a full description of her time with my daughter. She never is in a rush to leave and she sends us photos when we are at work to let us know how much fun they were having painting their faces, going to paint ceramics, or just playing at home and being creative. We feel lucky to have someone we wholeheartedly trust to help take care of our daughter when we need the help."
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--Matt & Eden
