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The 2019 MSUNER Summer Conference

In June, the �鶹��ý���� Network for Educational Renewal (MSUNER) hosted its 2019 Summer Conference focusing on “Powerful Practices for Empowering Teachers and Enhancing Student Engagement.” The event brought together teachers who participate in the 32 network school districts, superintendents and administrators, as well as faculty and staff from the College of Education and Human Services.

Anthony Johnson Jr., creator of the Johnsonville Learning Network and author of High School Dropout to Teacher of the Year: My Journey to Johnsonville the Collaborative Learning Community, was this year’s featured keynote speaker. In 2016, Johnson was named Rowan-Salisbury Schools Teacher of the Year.

�鶹��ý���� alumna and 2018 Milken Educator Award recipient Nicole Silva ’05 was also present at the event. Silva spoke on her experience as an educator as well as her journey as a student at �鶹��ý����. Last December, Silva was named 2018-19 recipient of the national recognition as well as this year’s only Milken Educator Award winner from New Jersey.

“�鶹��ý���� was so welcoming when I attended the conference this past June. It was like coming home,” says Silva. “Sharing my journey with educators was a full-circle moment for me. I remember being a freshman like it was yesterday. I have such wonderful memories of my time there and being asked to come back and speak was truly an honor.”

From research presentations by teachers to learning mindfulness practices, the day was filled with engaging professional development workshops as well as an art exhibit led by Dorothy Heard, assistant professor at the Department of Art and Design.

Throughout the conference, members were invited to attend the MSUNER Art Educators’ Pop-Up Art Exhibition. The exhibition is a continuation of MSUNER’s support for and the promotion of the visual arts, its continuing education of teachers, and the strengthening of creative and critical engagement within its professional communities.

“The strong collaboration between the MSUNER partner districts and �鶹��ý���� provides a stimulating and challenging environment for teachers to develop and hone a variety of learning styles,” says MSUNER Director Marilyn Davis. “This is done through powerful and dynamic opportunities to dialogue in venues like the Summer Conference and Pop-Up Art Exhibition.”

The event featured six �鶹��ý���� alumni and artists who teach P-12 students. Rachel Baron ’17; Wendy Born ’11; David Filchak ’10; Karen Goldberg ’14 MA; John Mungiello ’15 MA; and Jody Oliveri ’99, ’07 MA took part in the event and displayed their artwork.

Leading the “Gallery Talks” sessions were Rachel Baron ’17 and Karen Goldberg ’14 MA. Their discussions addressed issues related to visual arts as a unique mode of expression and vital component in P-12 student development. While the two alumnae led the discussions, alumna Wendy Born ’11 offered hands-on art activities to conference participants.

Each artist offered insights into visual arts media as tools for questioning, expressing, seeing and understanding, as well as their unique perspectives as artists and as educators. The event gave these educators the opportunity to engage in discussions about their art work and the importance of art in P-12 schools.

About the MSUNER

The , one of the foremost university-school partnerships in the nation, promotes the simultaneous renewal of schools and teacher education through collaboration between and among the University and member school districts.

Through the program, �鶹��ý���� faculty members are able to teach courses and provide professional development and coaching to teachers on-site in partner schools. Teachers and administrators in member districts have the opportunity to work with national and local experts on school and teacher education reform as well as collaborate with neighboring schools and districts. The MSUNER sponsors professional development activities for more than 11,000 teachers and administrators in its member districts. Over the past years, the MSUNER has developed an extensive research-based professional development program which offers members an array of opportunities for professional and intellectual growth.

We invite you to read about the �鶹��ý���� alumni who displayed their art at the 2019 MSUNER Pop-Up Art Exhibition.

Wendy Born ’11

After a successful career as an illustrator of children’s books, Wendy Born turned her full attention to art and education. In 2011, Born graduated summa cum laude from �鶹��ý���� and completed a Master of Elementary Education at Antioch University. She has taught art classes at Millburn High School, Red Bank Middle School and Henry Snyder High School; and created and taught art-infused classes at a private school in Princeton.

Karen Goldberg ’14 MA

Karen Goldberg currently teaches art in grades Pre-K through 8 at Riverdale School in Riverdale, New Jersey. Primarily a self-taught artist, Goldberg returned to school to obtain a master’s in Art Education from �鶹��ý����. Her artworks have been shown nationally and have been featured in several publications including, The Star-Ledger, The �鶹��ý���� Times and the �鶹��ý���� Art Museum Summer Program. Goldberg is the co-creator of Bumpybooks, a patented, learn-to-read book for beginner and struggling readers.

John Mungiello ’15 MA

John Mungiello is a full-time artist, writer and high school art teacher in New Jersey. He studied fine arts at The School of Visual Arts and received his MAT in Art and Special Education from �鶹��ý���� in 2015. Mungiello currently resides in New Jersey with his wife and has been working on drawings, paintings and animations. He has written a novel called Puff, as well as short stories, poems and a play titled Shuffle, which was published by Amazon.

Jody Oliveri ’99, ’07 MA

Jody Anne Oliveri has taught fine arts and photography at Boonton High School for the past 20 years. Under her mentorship, many students have been recognized throughout New Jersey and have been recipients of numerous prestigious awards. Holding both an undergraduate and graduate degree from �鶹��ý����, Oliveri has a passion for all artistic mediums such as painting, ceramics and photography.