Art

I am very excited to begin my 19th year teaching at Mendham Township Elementary.  I live in High Bridge New Jersey with my husband and son. We love to travel to the Cape May and to the Adirondack Mountains. But, our favorite thing to do is spend time with our family and friends.  It is my personal goal to be a creativity coach for my students. Their ideas are the true currency in the Art room. My classroom door is always open to any student or parent who wishes to create.

Contact: sbizzarro@mendhamtwp.org

Degrees and Certifications:

Bachelors Degree in The Science of Education from The College of Saint Rose in 2003 and a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from The College of New Jersey in 2013.

The MTES Art Program consists of weekly Art classes for students in Preschool through 4th grade. Throughout the program students learn the process of appreciation and aesthetics by learning to discern what the artist wanted us to know. The themes include famous works of art, favorite story illustrations and art from artists and cultures all around the world. We achieve this through a process of art criticism where students describe, analyze, and interpret a wide variety of artwork. Art projects based on our aesthetic explorations vary from drawing, painting, and sculpture throughout the school year. Students will save their artwork in a portfolio and then select their favorite piece to present in a whole school art show, the Festival of Arts. Third and Fourth grade students will also have opportunities to sign up for Mastery Enrichment workshops where they will create artwork based on unique themes and materials.

Our school is a member of Artsonia.com (www.artsonia.com), an online student art gallery which showcases artwork from thousands of schools around the world.  Artsonia’s goals are to develop student pride, self-esteem, increase multicultural understanding through art, and involve parents and relatives in their artistic accomplishments.   I have partnered with Artsonia for many years to archive and share student work.  They have been my number one resource for keeping up with Distance Learners, streamlining instruction, and most importantly sharing student masterpieces with MTES families.   

You will receive a letter explaining Artsonia and how to confirm your child' permission.  If you do not wish your child to participate in Artsonia, email me directly.  

If your child has an existing Artsonia account from their last school, please let me know the name of the school and their original user name.  I can transfer their account to our school so that no artwork is lost.  I can also contact their former teacher for the information if you provide me with his or her email.

Artsonia is not a social media site.  All accounts are private and shared with family and friends by invite only.  As a security feature, Artsonia requires the parent to pre-approve all comments before they are posted on the website.  No student Photographs or last names appear anywhere on the site.  These are some examples of how important your child’s safety and privacy are to our school and Artsonia.  Once your student has completed artwork I will upload an image of that project and you will receive an email allowing you to view the work.  

  One of the most exciting features about having Artwork published on Artsonia’s Art Gallery is that friends and family can leave encouraging comments for the artist and become a fan club member of the artist.  This platform also allows you to order prints and items with your child’s artwork printed on it.  You will receive an email from Artsonia when your child has a new artwork published.  You will immediately be able to see it and share it with friends and family digitally.   

• Art Explorers is a group for 3rd and 4th grade artists interested in creating using unconventional materials.  

• Advanced Art students will work toward 4th and 5th grade level NCCCS for the Arts.  

Groups will meet during Lunch and Recess one day a week out of the 6 day rotation. 

To apply:  A 2 task application 1 original artwork, and 1 letter telling me what kind of art they are most interested in. (The letter should be in the student’s own voice.  It will not be graded or assessed.  I just want to hear from them.)

All classes are a 1-year commitment unless interest requires a split year session.

The Application Deadline is September 15, 2022.