My name is Miriam (Missy) Ritchie and I'm the new art teacher at CFCI. I'm so excited about joining the CFCI community, and I look forward to the opportunity to learn and grow together! I attended St. Mary's School, in Raleigh, for my last 2 years of High School, and for my first 2 years of college. I continued my education at the University of Georgia, where I received a BSED degree in Art Education, with a concentration in ceramics and drawing and painting. I also studied abroad for a semester in Cortona, Italy. After graduation, I taught for a year at Milton High School in Atlanta, Georgia.....But soon realized that I missed the ocean and that North Carolina was my home. I began teaching art in Brunswick County in 1989, at Shallotte Middle School for one year before transferring to South Brunswick Middle School in South Port, for the next 19 years. I received my National Board certification in 2003. I have lived in Wrightsville Beach/ Wilmington for the past 22 years- and have always wanted to be closer to home, I loved my school, and didn't want to transfer to another "regular" public school in New Hanover county.

I needed a change, and a challenge...so, I took a risk- leap of faith- and here I am and I couldn't be happier that I did!!! It's going to be an exciting and creative year!