LONNIE STEWART-AUSTIN

Art Teacher
Mt. Vernon Elementary School
Newark, New Jersey

Lonnie began her education in the Newark Public Schools and has been an art teacher for the twenty years, working to strengthen the art program in her school. Her educational philosophy as an art teacher is to be the visual communicator for the educational programs in her school, district and state. She has increased her participation in the Art Educators of New Jersey and has been instrumental in resurrecting the Essex County Youth Art Month Exhibit with the support of the Essex County Executive, Joseph Di Vincenzo Jr. and his staff. She joined the Artbeat newspaper staff, developed the Multicultural Strand at the Art Educators State Convention and continues to present at state and national conventions. She is on the AENJ Advisory Board and NAEA National Middle School Division committee.

Lonnie has been the recipient of The Jack & Jill Inc. Mother of the Year Award, the Newark Arts Grant, the Art Teachers Institute Individual Professional Development grant, Arts Horizon Professional Development school grant, the Rick Lasher Professional Development Grant and the AENJ Middle School Division Award.

"My desire is to utilize my art education, business and race diversity experience to assist me in obtaining a doctorate in multicultural education. Working at a school where the student and staff population represents 32 different cultures and speaks 48 languages has exposed me to the concerns of the new immigrant and their journey to becoming an American citizen. As an art teacher, I works with students to help them understand the American culture while sharing respect and understanding for their country of origin's culture."