For more than a decade, Fremont High School has been home to teachers whose dedication reaches far beyond the subjects they teach. Among them is art teacher Jennifer Gay, known for fostering creativity, guiding students through challenges and creating a classroom environment built on support.
While her teaching leaves a visible impact on the students who pass through her room, one of the most meaningful reflections of her career is carried with her everywhere she goes: a tattoo inspired directly by students and the community she loves.
Gay’s years in the classroom are only a portion of her long-standing career in education, which began well before she became a fixture at Fremont High.
“I have been here for about 12 years,” Gay said. “I’ve been teaching for around 27 years. I subbed for 15 years before I started teaching full time.”
Her interest in teaching art started with personal experiences as a student. She remembers the feeling of having someone believe in her abilities and the impact of a teacher who made art class a meaningful place of belonging. That early encouragement shaped the way she approaches her own classroom today.
“My art teacher was amazing,” Gay said. “She was always able to do art during class, and I thought, ‘What better job is there than to do art during class? But for some reason, I don’t get to do art during class, because everybody needs my help.”
Although her daily responsibilities leave little time for creating pieces of her own, she finds fulfillment in helping students improve. She focuses on helping them recognize their own potential. Watching those moments unfold is the part of teaching she values most.
“I like watching the kids see that they get it,” Gay said. “You know, where it starts with one thing and ends with another, and just their pride, — that aha face — when they realize, ‘I did it. This is really cool.’”
Over the years, her work with students and involvement in the community have inspired many meaningful memories. One of those memories became permanently preserved in a tattoo she considers deeply important. The artwork is more than a design; it represents the experiences, people and stories that have shaped her life as an educator.
“The one that means a lot to me is a wrestling shoe on my thigh,” Gay said. “A past student of mine drew a picture of the wrestling shoe, and in the laces it says ‘MG,’ which stands for my friend, who was our wrestling mom guru, her initials. Also in it is Remington’s wrestling record from high school.”
The tattoo intertwines several important elements: the creativity of a student who drew the original artwork, the memory of a friend who played a central role in the wrestling community and the accomplishment of a high school wrestler whose record remains part of local history. Together, these components show the relationships formed through years of being present for students both inside and outside the classroom.
Its placement on her thigh ensures it remains a visible, personal reminder of the people who influenced her life. For her, it symbolizes the lasting connections that can develop through shared experiences and how her career has shaped her — not only through lessons taught, but moments shared with students, colleagues and friends.
Beyond its meaning, the tattoo also connects to the lessons she emphasizes in her classroom. She teaches that art is not only a skill, but a process focused on adjustment and problem-solving. These concepts, she believes, prepare students for challenges both in creative work and in everyday life.
“I always say that I want them to learn how to problem solve,” Gay said. “Art is all about problem-solving, because it never turns out exactly the way you want it. So how do you make it work? We don’t always have a YouTube video to watch, so they have to learn to figure things out, and in the end, hopefully that will help them in the future.”
Her approach to teaching blends instruction with personal development. She aims to create a place where students feel supported and comfortable expressing themselves. Each project, assignment and classroom discussion contributes to an environment where students can discover their strengths and build confidence in their artistic abilities.
When she thinks about the lasting influence she hopes to leave, her answer is simple.
“I hope that I made them feel special,” Gay said. “And that they loved the time they had in the art room.”
Through her teaching, the relationships she built and even the artwork she chose to carry with her permanently, Gay illustrates the enduring effect a classroom community can have. The wrestling shoe tattoo serves not only as a personal reminder, but as a testament to the shared experiences that continue to define her life as an educator.
