Gena Fields

Art Teacher

Eugena “Gena” Fields has been teaching art at Park Academy for the past 10 years! She is a true Portland native—she grew up in the Woodstock neighborhood in Southeast Portland and, fun fact, she now lives just six blocks from where she grew up. Family has always been a huge part of her life, so staying close to home just feels right.

Art has been part of Mrs. Fields world for as long as she can remember, but it wasn’t until college that she realized being an artist wasn’t just something she did—it’s who she is. That love for art eventually grew into a passion for teaching it. She has been teaching art for 24 years now, working with everyone from preschoolers to high schoolers in districts like Forest Grove, David Douglas, and at a K–12 charter school in North Portland. Along the way, she earned her Bachelor’s in Art (Drawing, Painting, and Printmaking) in 1998 and her Master’s in Education in 2004, both from Portland State University.

When Mrs. Fields is not in the classroom, she loves spending time with her two wonderful daughters, Gabriella (17) and Mariana (13). Over the years, she has even painted murals for children’s spaces—combining her love of art with her joy for creating welcoming, imaginative environments for kids.

Mrs. Fields’ teaching philosophy is simple: art makes learning come alive. Whether its exploring the history of an artist, connecting art to science or math, or just getting messy with paint, she wants students to see that art is not only a skill but also a powerful way to understand the world around them. Her favorite moments are when kids’ eyes light up with discovery—when art suddenly feels real to them. That’s her “why” as a teacher.

At Park Academy, Mrs. Fields’ goal is to share her enthusiasm and experience so that every student has the chance to create, explore, and find their own artistic voice. She believes art is for everyone, and she is excited to continue helping students grow, experiment, and discover just how much creativity they already have inside them.

Email: gfields@parkacademy.org