No matter how many individuals appear in the pages of each edition of Keys Weekly, there are always so many more of our community members who deserve to be recognized. In an effort to shine a spotlight on more of the incredible individuals who live and work in these islands, Keys Weekly is proud to present our Neighbor of the Week feature, dedicated to celebrating a community member with each issue.
Our neighbor of the week is Kristi Ferrise, who is a teacher in the Monroe County School District. She has taught Kindergarten; elementary, middle and high school art; and now teaches seventh-grade ELA at Marathon Middle and High School.
KRISTI FERRISE
Marathon High School
How long have you been in the Keys and what brought you here? In 2002 I left my corporate job at TIAA to follow my dream to work at the Dolphin Research Center.
What do you do for fun in the Keys and why do you love living here? For fun, I volunteer at Payton’s Promise Sanctuary. I love my community. I live in paradise with my amazing dog, Maggie.
Describe your most bizarre life experience thus far. My life has been full of experiences. My most bizarre? Going through evacuation and returning after Hurricane Irma. This community stands together and I saw how much we support each other during difficult times.
If your life was a movie, what would the title be and who would play you? “Still Standing in the Sun.” Sandra Bullock would play me because she brings humor, grit, heart and a quiet strength. She can show the scars and the sparkle and she’d make the audience laugh through the tears.
If you won the lottery what would you spend the money on? I would set myself up financially first, then rebuild the most amazing sanctuary for Payton’s Promise. This place is near and dear to my heart. Magic happens here every day.
If you were a flavor of ice cream, what flavor would you be and why? Peanut butter cookie dough because I’m sweet, a little nutty, full of surprises and guaranteed to make everyone laugh before melting into a hug.
Which three famous people would you invite to a dinner party and why? Mel Robbins, Bashar (if you know, you know) and Trump. Sounds like the conversation could go anywhere.
How would your best friend describe you in three words? Loyal, funny, intuitive.
What is the funniest thing one of your students has said to you while teaching? “Wait. You didn’t have cell phones when you were little?”
What is something people don’t know about you? I’m an author and a life coach.
Know someone that would be a good “Neighbor of the Week?” Email keysweeklyjen@gmail.com.
