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Our Team
Teachers
Amy Gaal
Amy Gaal brings over 20 years of experience in art, design, and education, with a passion for helping children discover confidence, creativity, and joy through the artistic process. Her background includes teaching with the El Dorado County Office of Education, leading elementary art programs for more than a decade, and owning creative businesses focused on art, design, and hands-on learning experiences.
Throughout her career, Amy has taught art history and studio projects to students in kindergarten through fifth grade, coordinated school-wide art programs, organized annual student art exhibitions, and developed engaging art kits and workshops that encourage creativity both in and outside the classroom. As an artist, designer, and educator, she believes every child has creative potential, and her goal is to provide a supportive environment where students feel inspired to explore, experiment, and express themselves.
Communication, reliability, and creating positive learning experiences are values Amy brings to every classroom. She looks forward to getting to know each student, encouraging their creativity, and making every class a fun, engaging, and enriching artistic experience.
Emilie Kim
Emilie Kim is a Korean-American artist and educator whose work reflects the complexities of her bicultural identity. She graduated from UC Davis with a BA in Studio Art and a minor in Education in 2023, then earned her MFA in Ceramics from the State University of New York at New Paltz in 2025. Born and raised in Folsom, California, Emilie is excited to return home and join Children’s Art Classes Folsom as a teacher. In addition to teaching at CAC, she educates young children in extended-learning programs, leads private ceramics lessons for high school students, and will teach at American River College as an Art Adjunct Assistant Professor later this year.
Through her work, Emilie examines the relationship between people and places, unraveling the intricacies of identity and authenticity as a Korean-American. Her art explores the bittersweetness of belonging, using cooking and food as metaphors to build layers of self, as well as contrasting forms, colors, and materials to create physical and imagined environments that reflect how she encourages children to explore and express their own identities.
Inspired by the transformative nature of ceramics and her bicultural upbringing, Emilie believes that growth is a lifelong process of shaping, refining, and evolving. Therefore, she nurtures wonder and confidence in the classroom and hopes to inspire each child to recognize their extraordinary potential through continuous exploration, echoing the same growth and transformation she explores in her art.
Mersedeh Sheybani
Mersedeh Sheybani is a Persian-born artist and educator who earned her Master of Fine Arts from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. She has dedicated her career to working with children and young people in schools, museums, community art programs, and inclusive learning environments, connecting with students and families from diverse backgrounds through creativity, curiosity, and meaningful artistic experiences. In addition to English, Mersedeh speaks Farsi, Dari, and Turkish, allowing her to build connections with even more families and create a sense of welcome and belonging across cultures.
As an immigrant herself, Mersedeh’s personal journey has deeply influenced both her artistic practice and her approach to teaching. She is passionate about creating welcoming, inclusive spaces where every child feels seen, valued, and empowered to express their unique ideas and perspectives.
Her experience working with autistic and neurodivergent learners has shaped a thoughtful, flexible, and student-centered teaching style. In her classroom, curiosity is encouraged, individuality is celebrated, and mistakes are embraced as an essential part of the creative process. Above all, Mersedeh strives to create an environment where every child feels comfortable being themselves, confident in their abilities, and excited to explore the possibilities of art.
Studio Owner
Catie Corbin
Catie Corbin is the owner of Children’s Art Classes Folsom and an educator with more than 22 years of experience in education. She holds a Master’s in Education and has served as a high school history teacher and international education professional, partnering with ministries of education around the world to strengthen teaching systems and improve student learning. In addition to leading the studio, Catie works with middle and high school students as a writing coach, helping them develop their voices and express their ideas with confidence.
As a mom of two young boys, Catie believes every child deserves a place where creativity is celebrated, curiosity is encouraged, and mistakes are embraced as an essential part of learning. Throughout her career—as a history teacher, writing coach, and now studio owner—she has been passionate about helping young people better understand themselves and the world around them. She believes art is a powerful way for children to build confidence, strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and discover their own unique voices.
Catie is honored to bring Children’s Art Classes to the Folsom community and is excited to create a welcoming studio where every child feels inspired to explore, create, grow, and experience the joy that comes from making something uniquely their own.
STUDIO INFO
Address:
510 Natoma Station Dr., Suite 400
Folsom, CA 95630
Email:
CatieC@childrensartclasses.com
Phone:
(279) 229-7756
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