Starting from a young age I always loved the feeling of making something out of nothing. As I grew, my love for the arts grew. It was no surprise when it came time to pick a career I knew I wanted to center on the arts.
Though I was always creating, it was in college that I discovered just how much I loved painting, drawing, sculpting, ceramics, & printmaking. I also developed a love of art history, learning about the greats that came before us. With my varied interests in all art making processes and my love of learning, I was a natural fit to be an art educator, I just didn’t know it yet. I graduated from Georgian Court University with a B.A. in Fine Arts with a Commercial Art Concentration.
I started my career as a commissioned artist and graphic designer. I loved this kind of work (and still do), but soon realized my true passion was to be an art educator. I loved spreading my passion for the arts and joy and peace of creating to others. I loved the collaboration and the comradery. My first teaching experience was at a small private art school in Island Heights, NJ. I taught on Saturday mornings and I absolutely loved it. From here I obtained my CE in Teacher of Art with the plan of teaching art full time in a public school. However, the thought of leaving my full-time job to obtain my teaching certification was daunting.
I had the opportunity to open my own art school with a friend of mine. This was the perfect chance to keep my "day job" and get experience teaching art. At my school I taught fine art techniques to students elementary, middle and high school levels, as well as adults. I soon found that I loved teaching every age. Here I also got my first experience with art shows and getting students involved with the community. Many of my high school students, because of their experience at my art school, chose careers in the arts and have gone on to prestigious schools such as RISD, NYU, SCAD, and Cooper U.
After having my daughter I decided to give up my graphic design career, work part time at the art school and full time mother. Being a mother gave me an entirely new perspective on life and my role as a teacher.
As my daughter grew and needed me less, I knew it was time to get my career back on track. It was now or never to have my career as a full time art teacher. The art school was still going strong, and now I had teachers and an office manager in my employment that gave me great flexibility. I started subbing in my daughters' elementary school, snatching up any art teacher sub jobs I would see. Eventually I had the opportunity to be a full time permanent art teacher sub in Barnegat, NJ. This was my test and I loved it. It was the most challenging job I’ve ever had but so rewarding. I loved the atmosphere of the art room, seeing my enthusiasm reflected on my students' faces, introducing them to the world and allowing them to grow through art.
Eventually I got a job as full-time contracted art teacher in Brick, NJ grades K-5. I couldn’t believe I had finally achieved my goal. I took my praxis tests, completed my alternate route teacher program, and the EdTPA. After two years teaching in Brick, I will finally receive my NJ Standard Teaching Certificate this June 2023.
I look forward to continuing my journey as an artist and art educator and transferring my passion to my students.
