Susan Menkes
Cantiague Elementary School
Jericho, New York

"A large sign on one wall reads, 'You're the artist, so you decide!' (How you want your art to look). It reflects my philosophy that the joy in making art is in the freedom of creative expression. Decision-making and a feeling of confidence play important roles in my students' development, maturity, and growth. I want my children to realize there are no 'mistakes' in making art and to create art to please themselves, not to please me. My goal is to inspire all my students to LOVE art and believe in themselves. My goal is to empower them. Whenever I hear adults proclaim that they 'can't do art', I am sure that someone or something along life's road made them feel this way. Come into our magic art room and ask, 'Which of you are artists?' All will raise their hands!"

"Susan is the most gifted and talented teacher and artist I know! Her art room is always humming with the sounds of eager children who have fallen under her spell and are creating their newest original masterpieces. Each child paints as if he is Matisse, and believes he is. Susan reaches all her students who have different learning styles and abilities by providing unusual opportunities in which to express themselves with confidence. Her unique teaching style combines charisma, honesty, dedication, and respect for individuality. Susan's passion, positive energy, and compassion allow students to dig deeply and dig freely into their imaginations and hearts."

Envision yourself as one of Susan's students about to embark on a unique adventure – a magical journey through art. You enter the room through a castle facade where Mrs. "Magic" Menkes has a student pull something from a magic bag that pertains to the week's lesson. What also appears is her students' interest in the learning material and their enthusiastic involvement. Her teaching shaped by the diversity of the multi-cultural backgrounds that her students bring with them. Susan infuses the art of world cultures in her lessons to teach about respect, tolerance, and understanding differences. Collaborating closely with other classroom teachers and their social studies programs, she continually seeks to design art projects that make book learning about world cultures come alive!

Other Highlights:

• Fulbright Memorial Fund Scholarship-chosen by the United States and Japanese governments to visit Japan with a select group of teachers, 2002
• New York State Art Educator of the Year Award for Professional Excellence in the Field of Art Education/Long Island, 2000
• The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation Power of Art Award, 2001
• New York State Art Teachers’ Art Exhibit- First Place Winner, 2000
• New York State Standards Based Art Curriculum Committee, 2001-2004
• Content Advisory Committee for New York State Certification Exams, 2003
• Appointed by the New York State Education Department to the Peer Review Committee For Learning Standards, Goals, 2000, 1998, 1997
• Appointed Charter Member, New York State Academy for Teaching and Learning by The New York State Board of Regents and The State Education Department with lessons chosen as exemplars that best meet the Visual Arts Standards in art education, 1996
• Board Member, New York State Art Teachers' Association, 1999-2002
• Vice-President, Long Island Art Teachers' Association, 1996-present
• Workshop Coordinator/ Long Island Art Teachers’ Association, 1995- present
• Lesson published in The New York State Education Department Curriculum Guide and distributed to all public schools in New York State, 1996
• Lesson on The New York State Education Department website, 1997
• Created "Peace by Piece; A Japan Connection", a cooperative project between American and Japanese students, shared with the Japanese Consulate and the White House, 2002-2003
• Cantiague Compact Committee/Shared Decision- Making Team, 1999-2001
• Co-Chairperson, Schneider Children's Hospital Annual Elementary Schools Art Exhibit, 1998-2003
• Workshop Presenter- Local, State, and National Conferences, 1994-present
• Teachers' Center Grant: "From Russia With Love; An Exchange of Art and Writing"- children from the former Soviet Union and my students, 1997
• Foster Mother (certified 1996)
• Mother of the Year Award- 1999