SYosset High School Art Department

Ms. Byers received her BA in Fine Arts in 2009 and her MA in Art Education in 2011 - both from Adelphi University - and started teaching in 2011.

Her first full-time teaching assignment was in NSW Australia teaching grades 7-12, but has since moved back to the states to teach both inside and outside of the city and several school districts on LI. She has coached Softball and been advisor to several clubs including Sculpture Club, Scenery Club, Fashion Club, Hair/Costumes/Makeup crew, and Freshman Class.

Her personal work is that of graphite photorealism and explorative watercolor. She also has a passion for sculpture in all mediums. Outside of teaching she loves camping, traveling, Harry Potter, and spending time with her family.

Mr. Carolan received a BA in Fine Arts from the University of Connecticut and an MA in Art education from Adelphi University.  Mr. Carolan has worked in Syosset since 2008, starting his career at South Woods Middle School before transitioning to the high School full-time in 2020.   He assisted the late sculptor David Jacobs for ten years, until his passing in 2020. Mr. Carolan's personal work investigates relational tensions, the ephemeral, and the enigmatic nature of identity and perception.

Mrs. Cortright graduated from Binghamton University with her BA in Fine Arts and then Hofstra University with her MA in Art Education. She has been working in Syosset since 2008, continuing to work at HBT Middle School and now the high school.  

She enjoys all types of art but mainly ceramics or watercolor.

 She loves to write and illustrate children's books in her spare time.

When she's not making art her time is spent with her family, dog, traveling and always enjoying the great outdoors.

Ms. Holtje is an artist, art educator, and art historian.  She graduated with her B.F.A. in Art Education from LIU Post (2020) and completed her Masters in Art History at Queens College this past May (2025).  

Ms. Holtje first taught English in Austria during her undergraduate (2019), and then began her career as an art teacher in Syosset High School in 2020.  She is also the co-advisor for Stage Crew Club and Photo Club.  

Her favorite mediums to work with are charcoal, oil paint, and 35mm black & white film.  Ms. Holtje has had her work shown in both local and international galleries.

In her free time, Ms. Holtje loves to read and run.  She completed her first half marathon in June 2024!

Mr. Malafis attended Adelphi University for his Bachelor of Arts (2005, Fine Arts Major) and Master of Arts (2007, Art Education Major) degrees. He enjoys all forms of art but his personal favorite areas are ink drawings, all types of painting, and Photoshop manipulation techniques. His interests outside of the art world include spending time with his family, traveling, the New York Islanders, cooking/trying new foods, and all types of music and movies. 

New York-based designer and illustrator, Mrs. Mihalatos, has been honing her professional art and design skills in Manhattan for the past several years. Mrs. Mihalatos studied in Paris and NYC, acquired her BFA from Parson's School of Design and MA from Adelphi University.

Mrs. Mihalatos's  evolution into art education allowed her to extend the range of her talent even further. Her use of authentic and eclectic  skills allows Mrs. Mihalatos  to challenge the boundaries of teaching - utilizing real world experience to educate and inspire her students within the arts

Mrs. O'Rourke attended Hamilton College and Hofstra University where she earned her Masters in Art Education.  She has been teaching in Syosset since 2002.  

Mrs. O'Rourke has taught almost every art course at SHS, but has grown to love darkroom and digital photography the most!  She loves B&W photojournalism style prints and capturing life's most captivating moments through images.  She loves using Adobe Photoshop to enhance and manipulate her original images and finding endless possibilies to reinvent her photographs.

An avid runner, soccer player and violinist, Mrs. O'Rourke enjoys a range of activities in her free time.  Most often you can find her on the sidelines of her kids' sports fields!

Mrs. Protonentis student taught at H.B. Thompson Middle School and Robbins Lane in 1993. In 1994 Mrs. Protonentis was a substitute teacher throughout the Syosset school District, ran the after Syosset Schools Elementary Art Enrichment program, and taught Art classes to high school students at the Great Neck Library. Before starting her permanent Art position at Syosset High School in 1997, Mrs. Protonentis was a Global Fashion Advertising Manager for an international bridal fashion house. Mrs. Protonentis has degrees from Long Island University in Advertising Design, Art Education and Computer Graphics. Mrs. Protonentis is the Moderator and Sponsor for The Syosset High School National Art Honor Society and the Advisor for the Syosset High School Art Club. She has also participated in curriculum writing for the Art Department and Business Departments. In her free time, Mrs. Protonentis enjoys spending time with her family, friends, dog, Mylo, traveling, creating her own artwork and giving private art lessons.

You can learn about Mr. Tommolino and the art he creates by visiting his website: www.damontommolino.com 

Some of our Fine & Performing Arts Staff this past Halloween!