Barbara Russo

Mrs. Russo's Professional Bio

I was privileged to have excellent teachers throughout my education and quickly developed a love of learning. Many members of my family worked in education and I had respect for the field from a very young age. I knew teaching was something that I always wanted to do, but first and foremost I wanted to be an artist. I did not realize until later in life that I could do both!   As a college student I worked as an assistant teacher at the college, elementary, and high school levels. There I enjoyed supporting and guiding students to achieve their project goals, and helping to contribute to an inspiring and rewarding experience for them.  Career paths took me from textile designer, to freelance artist, to faux finisher, but all of those careers involved some form of art and design, learning, and teaching. As a textile designer I trained and taught other designers. My desire has always been to share my personal experiences through my past careers as an artist, and my love and joy of art making and art history with my students. In becoming a teacher I have not only realized my true vocation, but also that it is rewarding and fulfilling in myriad ways. I look forward to each day with my students!

I am a strong advocate for the arts and art education. I continually contribute to art education in and out of the classroom; therefore conveying that a complete art education does not simply happen in the classroom. My professional philosophy is that an art program is only made whole by involving students, administration, and community, mixed with art history and visual culture. I apply this philosophy by creating a safe and nurturing classroom culture that is conducive to the creative process, by displaying student artwork, and by having my students create beautiful murals for all who enter the school to enjoy. I regularly collaborate with teachers on various cross-curricular projects, including hands-on assignments and even art history units. The students receive the lessons well, are open to new ideas and concepts that the arts brings to the table, inspiring them to do more artistically. The Art Dept. art show at the end of the school year showcases many works that the students worked on throughout the year. Students, faculty, administration, parents, and members of the community are invited to attend.

Outside of the classroom, I am the advisor for the HHS Artists’ Union. Members are able to come to the art room after school and explore different materials. The A.U. members also participate in many school sponsored activities and collaborate with other clubs as well. Also outside the classroom, I am a long-standing member of the Art Educators of New Jersey. I have served on the Board of Directors, worked on past conference committees, I present at AENJ conferences with hands-on and Best Practice sessions, and I am the current Mercer County YAM Chair. The participation and quality of work at the annual AENJ State YAM art show and the Mercer County YAM art show also speaks volumes for the art work of Hightstown High School students as well as students throughout Mercer County.  The platform that it gives students to show their talent outside of an academic setting is an incredible confidence booster and shows how even a small taste of success can carry a student through their scholastic career.  I am a past Art Educators of New Jersey High School Divisional award winner and the 2023 recipient of the Linda Lora Pugliese YAM award. I continue to keep up and network with peer educators to advance art education. I continually seeks out best practices for the classroom, am always open to new ways of seeing the world around us, and encourage others in my field of education to share fresh ideas and new visions.