CATHEDRAL SCHOOL FACULTY AND STAFF ON THE MOVE
Q&A WITH SHEILA GHIDINI
Ms. Ghidini is leaving her position as the Lower School Art Teacher after 22 years in order to focus on her personal art practice. She’ll also be continuing her work as an art instructor at the UC Berkeley Extension School.
R&G: What would you do if you weren’t at CSB?
R&G: What did you like best about working at CSB? SG: Of course, I loved working with the boys. Their creative energy and enthu- siasm for art and making things was contagious. I also loved starting days in the cavernous space of the Cathedral, filled with its blue light from the stained glass windows, singing with a community. On the darkest winter mornings, the rose window seemed to have a light of its own. R&G: Which colleagues made the biggest impact on you? SG: Cathy Madison and I bonded over honey bees. At the time, I was keeping bees and she came to my hives to watch the process. We share concern about the health and perseverance of these small amazing creatures. There were so many great faculty and administrators over the years I was at CSB; Mehrdad Abidari, Sylvia Chow, Paul Bertrand and Judith Saldamando, Michael Ferreboeuf, Pierre Jospé, Kate Juergens, Bonnie Fraenza, Julie Terraciano, Pat O’Connor, Jimmy Santosa (the list goes on…)to name just a few, definitely influenced me.
Red&Gold: When did you start working at CSB? Sheila Ghindini: I began working at CSB in 1996. R&G: What were you doing before you began teaching here? SG: I had just finished a few semesters teaching sculpture at University of California, Berkeley and I was also teaching at the Chinese American School when it was in the Presidio. R&G: How many years did you work at CSB? SG: I worked at CSB for 22 years. R&G: What roles did you have at CSB? SG: I taught lower school art, K-4 and managed the rooftop garden for the last three years. R&G: Do you remember what your first day was like? SG: I remember lots of high energy, with the excitement of returning for a new year for the boys.
SG: I’d be teaching somewhere else. R&G: What was your favorite lunch menu item? SG: Love the carrot-ginger soup! R&G: What was your favorite CSB activity or event? SG: I liked the pomp and circumstance of graduations. I enjoyed chapels that celebrated religions different from my own. R&G: What is next for you? I have taught drawing at UCB extensions for many years and I’ll continue to do so. I also have an art studio practice that keeps me busy.
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