Ms. Andrea Neiman from the Class of 2001.
Andrea was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of SUNY at Albany, where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts. She was also inducted into Kappa Delta Pi, the International Honor Society in Education and received another Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education from SUNY at New Paltz. Andrea received her Master’s degree in Liberal Studies from Skidmore College in Saratoga, New York.
In 2007, Andrea walked back through the doors of Columbia High School as an educator who has since shared her passion for art. Andrea has taught all levels of students, from novices to experts. Her students’ work is proudly displayed in the halls of Columbia for all to see and enjoy. According to colleague and nominator, Frederick Rudofsky, “Many students I have taught have spoken with great fondness about what it has meant to take a course with her, and several have gone on to post-secondary studies and careers in art or art education. Andrea’s passion for teaching, which is obvious in her irrepressible smile and boundless energy, means that no one can be indifferent for long in her class.” This was evident at a Board of Education meeting last May when Board member, JoAnn Taylor, thanked Andrea for inspiring her foreign exchange student during his year at Columbia.
Since 2012, at least one of Andrea’s darkroom photography students has had a black and white photograph accepted into the High School Regional Juried Art Exhibit. Nearly 500 pieces of student artwork are submitted annually from 20 area high schools and only 100 pieces are accepted into the show. Also in 2012, Andrea was selected from a competitive field of applicants to present an original lesson plan to fellow educators at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Massachusetts. Every year she works collaboratively with her colleagues on the District-wide Art Show. This Festival showcases the work of our K-12 artists, and draws over 1,000 visitors each May.
While working on her Master’s degree, Andrea completed two courses through the Institute for Humane Education. Inspired by these courses, Andrea began to incorporate principles of sustainability and social justice into her studio art and photography curriculum. According to Mr. Rudofsky, “Andrea seeks to increase awareness of injustices that exist in our world, and then offers her students an opportunity to express their concerns through engaging projects.”
This process was embodied when Andrea encouraged her students to participate in Siena College’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration. This particular lesson plan was entitled “Creating Positive Solutions to Global Problems.” Inspired by the lesson a student, Kayla Scott, stated, “I wanted to create something that represented love, all forms of it. I chose a black swan and a white swan, brought together by a heart, to show that we all are one of the same. I felt that would best embody the ideals of Martin Luther King, Jr.” Out of 22 schools participating, Kayla’s piece was chosen to be the backdrop of all student participants at the reception at Siena College.
After submitting this particular lesson plan for review, Andrea was selected to be one of fourteen presenters at the first ever Humane Education Conference at New York University in September of 2013. The review committee felt her work would inspire the audience with creative and new ideas for integrating humane education into schools and classrooms.
Later in the year, she and colleague, Alison Hosier, had their personal artwork displayed at the “Teachers as Artists” faculty show at the NYSUT building in Latham.
Since childhood, Andrea has always advocated for the humane treatment of animals. In addition to caring for her own horses, Andrea has been volunteering at Little Brook Farm, an equine rescue sanctuary in Old Chatham for many years. She believed that some of her students, who were also part of Columbia’s Alternate Education Program (CAP), might benefit from such a meaningful volunteer activity. With district approval, since 2012, Andrea and several colleagues have been volunteering to take students after school to LIttle Brook Farm. These students work together as a team doing barn chores and grooming these formerly abused and neglected horses. These students would not typically join an after school club or activity. It is in this setting that they can feel like they are making a difference. Knowing that horses have played a role in therapeutic programs for people with physical and emotional disabilities, she worked collaboratively with two other professionals to develop a non-therapeutic model that would promote leadership skills and build self-confidence in students in the CAP Program. Again with volunteer collegial and school district support, Andrea engaged Valerie Buck, who conducts similar programs for women in transition and veterans on her farm, to use similar techniques and activities with our 9th grade CAP students. The hands-on learning acquired through their interactions with horses directly supports what they are learning in their Self-Leadership class.
Andrea was the proud recipient of the Educator of the Year award from the Rensselaer County YMCA last year. This event recognizes service-focused students and those educators who are critical to their success.
Currently the department chairperson, Andrea has clearly made her mark on the East Greenbush Central School District. In the words of Mr. Rudofsky, “she is a successful educator because she has a passion for teaching like no other, and offers her students daily encouragement and timely constructive criticism.” He states, “Fifteen years ago, I was proud to call Andrea my student in English 11 Honors at Columbia High School; today, I am proud to call her my colleague and dear friend. Sanguine, inquisitive, dedicated, progressive and cordial all describe her personality. Andrea makes teachers from all departments feel valued and welcome. She cares unconditionally about people. Not surprisingly, Andrea is one of the most respected teachers in our district.”