We were lucky to catch up with Andrea Zoppo recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Andrea thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
The big risk I took was believing in myself. Through the juggling of part-time jobs, college, and the various co-housing situations many of us endure to afford to live, it seemed to me and my peers that careers were like ghostly leprechauns, pale, lean, and elusive. You could call this time my 20s or awkwardly a Chumbawumba era. You know the song…“ I get knocked out…” It was 2008 and when it came to applying for jobs I was stuck between overqualified and underqualified. With a college degree, 2 years of running programs for nonprofits through AmeriCorps, a myriad of work and volunteer experiences, and over 60 applications, the best I could do was 3 part-time jobs, and hope that one may reveal itself as the elusive leprechaun. Along with the 3 jobs, I also was doing a side hustle hosting birthday parties and teaching the wonders of art, gardening, and nature as a whimsical character named Miss Ladybug, but I did not take it seriously. Slowly one of those jobs, a program manager at a nonprofit, got bigger and bigger until I was at the 35/hr mark after 5 years. With a hopeful heart open for that pot of gold of being a full-time employee with benefits, that Chumbawumba song kept playing…
At 30 the rainbow vanished and I was knocked down again. The idea of catching that leprechaun career was torn asunder. The nonprofit I was at was in a budget crisis and though I gave almost double the hours I worked and got everyone I know to volunteer, I was the martyr. My head was spinning from the loss of a job I cared for and thought cared for me. I began training and working as a classroom teacher in a nontraditional school. With a deflated ego I flung myself into this work, really trying to “do it right” at this school. Here things got a bit weird. I did not realize my work previous work as Miss Ladybug was noticed or that it could be threatening! The school told me that my style was distracting with my bright colors and heart-shaped glasses. When I asked for support with classroom management, which all teachers need, it was not received. I complained and was accused of deviating from the school’s style and being Miss Ladybug in my classroom. Well, that was it! That pushed me to the edge. I thought Yes! If I am Miss Ladybug I can figure this out! As the colorful, playful, whimsical character of Miss Ladybug, I can do anything! Maybe I could even be my own leprechaun!
I put in my 2 weeks at the school that accused me of being me. I took the risk! I was done trying to please bosses, prove my worth, fit into a box, and get very little in return. I researched, fretted, doubted, and then I just did it! I started my own LLC and to my surprise, fun, creative, work found me! Sure, it was scary! After investing my heart and time into work environments that did not respect me I had to invest in myself. Invest in what I love to do. For the last 12 years, I can say that I have made a living playing, creating, laughing, and learning with young people and young-at-heart people as my own leprechaun, now Ms. Ladybug of Follow Ladybug LLC.
Andrea, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am an author, educator, and performer fondly known as Ms. Ladybug. I love teaching Farm to School and Arts Integration through the lens of play. From national teacher training sessions to full summer camps at our farm in TN, I offer many services to educators, families, and people, little and small, locally and nationally.
Like anyone, how I came to be me and do this work is a recipe of sorts.
A helping of family interests, a cup of immigrant drive, a bunch of community service, 2 tablespoons of grandmother’s love, and a dash of fairy stories are in the list of ingredients. Oh and to top if off, a red nose! I grew up in a family business called All American Clowns and Characters. We all worked some aspects from answering the phone and providing customer service to folks looking for party entertainment to dressing up like Winnie the Pooh or even a Teletubby. From the age 5+ I helped my mom with her business. That meant putting on a show and providing activities and entertainment for people of all ages. Service, work, family, food, and lucky for me, whimsy, are big themes in my family. Both my parents are 1st generation Americans. The journeys of my grandparents to be here in the USA were very difficult and they embraced life here with gratitude. I do not take our opportunities for granted.
Why Ladybug?
I can’t shake the name! Not that I’ve really tried. It is a great name! I started going by Miss Ladybug in 2007 as a party host and teacher of the outdoors. Students, families, and clients loved calling me Miss Ladybug. Even when I dressed up like a magical fairy with a new name, young people would say “No, you are Miss Ladybug. No lying!”. So it stuck and it always felt just right. Ladybugs are small but strong. They are considered a beneficial bug. Ladybugs are bright, bold, and have a positive impact. All ages recognize the goodness of ladybugs and they are a source of inspiration and wonder. As a teacher, my greatest desire is to foster an environment of wonder.
In the Fall of 2018, I was awarded the PBS Champion of Early Learning Award for Innovative Play. I was one of 17 awardees in the country! To be seen and appreciated on a national level propelled my confidence to keep shining and sharing wonder, art, and play! In 2022 I published my book, Storm Bugs, and I perform the book as a learning through literacy and play program with puppets and movement at community centers, schools, and libraries.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Here are 3 mindsets that can support your local artists-
Buying gifts, planning events that hire local artists, and fun times out supporting your community’s art scene.
When we think about doing something special, memorable, and fun for a loved one or our community we can choose to support artists and our local economy. Perhaps hire a musician for a cookout, hire an art teacher to facilitate crafts at a birthday party, or commission a fun portrait or painting for your home and family. Instead of shopping on Amazon, perhaps we can all think of new and creative ways to include local artists in our gift-giving culture. If you work at a company, perhaps there are events, fundraisers, and parties for staff, clients, or the community. Encouraging event planners to hire reputable and insured artists is a wonderful way to embrace and support your community’s creatives and curate a memorable event that may delight folks from all walks of life. Also, when thinking about having fun with family and friends, buy tickets to local plays, concerts, and other arts and cultural events. Advance ticket buying from local artists, creatives, and organizations, whether art classes or performances, is a huge confidence builder for creators and it gives them peace of mind and encouragement to keep the momentum going.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
There is a phrase in Hebrew called Tikkun Olam which implies that while the world is innately good, its Creator purposely left room for us to improve the world. My grandfather, Herbert Kohn, was a Holocaust Survivor. The themes of Tikkun Olam were very important to him. The concept that he taught me is that it is our responsibility, our mission, to make this a better world for the privileged of living here. I see the work I get to do as an extension of Tikkun Olam. Encouraging a connection to the wonders of our natural world is a way of helping people feel connected to our beautiful planet. Empowering through art and expression helps elevate voices and spur thought and action. Fostering safe, nutritious, and playful learning environments helps students feel at ease and grow into healthy stewards. I am very grateful to have this mission. Whenever I feel unsure it is my check in. Are we helping the planet and each other? Are we leaving things better than we found them?
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.followladybug.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/followladybug/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FollowLadybug
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-zoppo/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@andreazoppo2986
- Other: Link to my book on amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DGB3PFDS?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_MRS3FRYBB3SJ89ZAWN7T&skipTwisterOG=1&bestFormat=true&newOGT=1
Image Credits
Chris Wolfe, Allison Pratt, Andrea Zoppo, Ardyce Ridolfo