from Ola Edwards Community School — Hillside, New Jersey

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Biography

Ms. Mannino has been sharing her love of art with students since 2006, when she began teaching at WOK Middle School. There, she not only taught Art, but also started the school’s Art Club and Girls’ Soccer Team. From 2006 to 2014, her students proudly showcased their talents at the Union County Teen Arts Festival and the Union County Youth Art Month Exhibits. During that time, she also coached the Hillside High School softball team (2008–2014).

From 2014 to 2016, Ms. Mannino taught Painting and Introduction to Art at Dickinson High School in Jersey City, where her students’ creativity shone on a larger stage. Their work was featured at the YAM Museum at the National Art Education Association’s (NAEA) National Convention, the Hudson County and New Jersey State Youth Art Month Exhibits, the Hudson County Teen Arts Festival, and in several district-wide exhibitions.

She returned to Hillside in 2016, first back to WOK and then to Ola Edwards Community School in 2017. Her students there have continued to earn recognition, with artwork displayed at both the Union County and New Jersey State Youth Art Month Exhibits, as well as at the YAM Museum at NAEA’s National Convention.

Beyond the classroom, Ms. Mannino has been deeply involved in the art education community, serving from 2016 to 2022 as an Executive Board Member for the Art Educators of New Jersey and as the State Youth Art Month Chair. She also served as head coach for the WOK Girls’ Soccer Team (2007–2013) and assistant coach for the Hillside High School Girls’ Soccer Team (2014–2024).

Today, Ms. Mannino continues to teach Art at Ola Edwards Community School. She’s excited to welcome her students for the 2025–2026 school year and can’t wait to see all the beautiful artwork they will create!

Awards:
2021 - Council For Art Education: Youth Art Month Award of Excellence
2020 - Council For Art Education: Youth Art Month Claire Flanagan Memorial Grand Award
2019 - Council For Art Education: Youth Art Month Claire Flanagan Memorial Grand Award & Governor's Award in Art Education
2019 - Teacher of the Year: George Washington Elementary School
2018 - Council of Art Education: Youth Art Month Award of Excellence & Governor's Award in Art Education
2017 - Council of Art Education: Youth Art Month Award of Excellence & Governor's Award in Art Education
2016 - Council of Art Education: Youth Art Month Award of Excellence & Governor's Award in Art Education
2016 - Art Educators of New Jersey Art Educator of the Year: Secondary Division

Education:
2022 - Kean University, Master's Degree in Fine Arts Supervision (Supervisor's Certificate Issued 2019)
2012 - Nova Southeastern University, Master's Degree in the Art of Teaching and Learning
2005 - Rowan University, Bachelor's Degree in Art with Certification to Teach Art (K-12)

Personal Art Gallery