It was a pleasure to do a mentor interview with April Brede.
April Brede has been teaching for around five years, and this is her second year at Ensign Peak Academy.
April has been in Young Women’s presidencies at both the ward and stake levels, where she met and became friends with someone who had children at Ensign Peak Academy. She acted as a proctor for this friend’s children and when there was an opening for an art teacher, they recommended her for the position.
April is grateful to have the chance to teach kids at Ensign Peak and loves that she can share her love of art and the gospel.
Without further ado, here is my mentor interview with April Brede.
What do you love about your subject?
I love that art can ignite the imagination. One of my earliest childhood memories is of my dad drawing with me during sacrament meetings to help me be reverent. I distinctly remember the first time he put pen to paper and created an image of a horse: I was so young and up until that point had no concept of the idea of communicating and sharing ideas with lines. I loved it.
Why did you decide to become a teacher?
My very first teaching job was while I was pregnant with my first child 27 years ago. I taught high school English. Believe it or not, I started teaching because I missed the stimulating classroom conversations that arose from the books we discussed in college.
I love sharing concepts, ideas, and perspectives with a new generation of students. Later, I began to use art as an outlet for my feelings about the beauty around us. I find so much joy in sharing these skills that help others communicate feelings that they may not be able to articulate.
How did you become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
I am so lucky to have been born into the church. What a gift! There have been times in my life when I did not understand what a true blessing being “born of goodly parents” was. As life and experiences have progressed, I realized this precious gift (being born in the church) was given to me because I would have other trials that could not help me grow. Without the eternal perspective that comes from gospel teachings, getting through these trials would have been a lot more difficult.
What does being a member mean to you?
I think my lifelong access to the Gospel shows a great love for me from my Heavenly Father. He knew the trials that I would be facing in this life and gave me the precious gift of knowledge and covenants to help me grow and develop from the obstacles placed in my path.
Tell us about yourself and your family.
I was born and raised in a small town in Arizona on a working cattle Ranch, where I learned how to work hard and developed a deep love and respect for nature and animals.
I attended the University of Utah where I graduated with a bachelors degree in English and met my husband. We have two sons. Each of them are Eagle Scouts, served honorable missions, and have graduated from BYU. My youngest son was recently married and sealed in the temple.
Where do you live?
I live in Aiken, South Carolina, home of horses and courses. And yes, I do have two horses. But I do not golf despite the golf courses within a 30 mile radius!
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love to create art, hike, ride my horses, and I raise and exhibit Shetland sheepdogs.
What is something unique about you?
I prefer to eat Whole Foods plant-based (vegan) although I’m not militant about it. Maybe that’s not unique but when you consider that I grew up on a working cattle ranch it might seem like an incongruent life choice!
What hopes do you have for your students?
I hope that they learn the value of art and creativity in their life. The need to create is divine! I want each of them to know that art is a skill that can become a talent through the study of its basic elements and principles. They can spark imagination and influence culture by developing this skill into a talent.
April teaches at all educational levels at Ensign Peak Academy. If you would like to read more about the high school, middle school, and elementary school programs at Ensign Peak Academy, click on the following links: