Faculty and Staff – Science Through Art

Director: Heather Christy-Robinson

Heather

Currently an English Teaching Assistant instructor at SUNY New Paltz and formerly an instructor of English at SUNY Orange and of English and Education at Mount Saint Mary College, I am a mother of three children and am married to Doug Robinson, a professor of Biology at MSMC. I have taught at all levels in both public and private schools. I am certified as an elementary and special educator in New York, and have been since 2003. I am a board member of the Balmville Grange and formerly of the Balmville PTA. With regard to education, I am a constructivist. That is, I believe all children create their own knowledge through genuine experiences to learn. Our program mostly follows an epistemological approach in which children explore systems of knowledge. With the ScienceThroughART Program, I hope to offer opportunities for my children and yours to enjoy learning for the sake of learning! I am so excited to be able to run our program again for the tenth year. It’s awesome to ‘plant a seed and watch it grow and blossom’! I am proud of this program because kids enjoy themselves while learning. Yo hablo español. Por favor llámeme si tiene algunas preguntas.

Asst. Director/Lead Teacher:

Dr. Doug Robinson

For many years, Doug has brought in specimen for the children to dissect. This summer, Doug will join us for an extended period in the role of Assistant Director.

Lead Teacher: Emily Tarsio

From THEN to NOW!

I participated in the S.T.ART Program for three years. Last year I graduated from Marlboro High School, and I currently a college student at Caldwell University majoring in Communications and Media Studies. I have a passion for art and getting to share it with others. I’m excited to work side by side with the kids!

Believe me, they are so happy she is returning as a teacher this summer!

Lead Teacher: Nicole Saunders

I am a mother of two boys, an avid reader and writer, and a passionate nature lover. I raise chickens in my backyard, love visiting Yankees Stadium, and have fun playing “pepper” with a volleyball at the beach in the warmer months. I earned my BFA & Visual Art Management at FIT in NYC and my MA in Teaching at Savannah College of Art & Design in Georgia. I am very excited to bring my experience and influence to ScienceThroughART this year!

Lead Teacher: Megan Bell

I have been attending S.T.ART since it’s first year in 2013, and I’m excited to be returning as a lead teacher. I graduated from Newburgh Free Academy and from SUNY Oswego with a degree in elementary education. I enjoy helping set up, and making sure our materials are organized and available. I also enjoy connecting with the younger children in the program. I love playing games, creating art and doing science projects with them too.

Lead Teacher: “Game Master” Danny Barbuto

Greetings, all! My name’s Danny Barbuto. I’m a member of the class Mammalia who enjoys the use of his opposable thumbs. If you attended the Wappingers or Poughkeepsie school districts any time over the past decade, there’s good chance you know me, as I’ve been employed there as a substitute teacher. I hold a New York State Public School Teaching Certification as well as a Master’s degree in Childhood Education with a focus in Math, Science, and Technology. (Well, technically they’re on my wall, but you get the idea). I believe that both science and art should be messy, interactive, and fun, and I have only once before accidentally blown something up. This is my fourth year at the S.T.ART Program, and I love playing games with everyone as we learn about science and art. See you this summer!

Lead Teacher: Ashley Gage

This will be my fifth year at ScienceThroughART, and my first year as a lead teacher. I am studying at SUNY Albany to become a teacher. I love art, nature, and anything that involves creativity. I also love outdoor activities, including hiking, swimming, and playing tennis. I enjoy working with kids and plan to pursue child developmental studies with a focus on children with disabilities.

Wellness Instructor: Azure Bleu

Azure is a Soul awakener by nature. Her work as an Optician for the past 18yrs has allowed her to share her empathic nature. She loves to uplift and pour into others verbally by sharing a kind word, audibly by listening in the moment, or emotionally by sharing knowledge that will assist wherever it is needed. Knowing that our health is our true wealth guided her to become an advocate for Spiritual Wellness. She utilizes her knowledge from her work as an Optician, Kundalini Yoga instructor, Herbalist, Gardener, and Spiritual Life Coach to assist others with maintaining a healthy self-relationship by offering Group wellness classes, 1:1 Wellness sessions, and Creative Wellness events.

Due to unforseen circumstances, Leigh Rokitowski will not join us just yet.

Leigh graduated from the State University of New York with a BA and MA in psychology. The majority of her career has been spent working in the education space, from preschool through collegiate level. After rediscovering her love of and knack for creating art, she has recently taken on the role of pre-ek through 8th grade art teacher at a local private school. Outside of work, Leigh is the mother of three wonderful children. She loves to read, and unwinds by crafting and spending time outside. Her favorite pattern is polka dots and fittingly, her favorite artist is Yayoi Kusama. Leigh is excited to be joining S.T.ART this summer!