Meet your Teacher

Hi!  My name is Mary Shannon Heinzelmann and I am the art teacher here at Albert Einstein Academies. I have been at Albert Einstein since  2006.

I am originally from the east coast. I grew up right outside of Washington DC in Falls Church, Virginia.  Being so close to Washington was great because I was able to benefit from all of the cultural attractions that the city offers.  I can remember attending plays at the Kennedy Center and going to the Smithsonian museums at a young age and being impressed with all types of art from all over the world.  I knew from a very early age that art would be a big part of my life.  I was constantly creating, in fact, I would never let my mom throw away anything because I would inevitably make something out of it.  To this day, I still can't throw out a paper towel or toilet paper tube!

I attended James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA and received my bachelor's degree in Art Education with a concentration in painting and drawing and a credential to teach art K-12.  I taught for 10 years in Fairfax County, VA  before my husband and I relocated to sunny San Diego.  Since moving here, I have taught all over San Diego.  I was a gallery educator at the Canon Art Gallery in Carlsbad for their Three Part Art program and I taught drawing for the Solana Beach Monart Art School.  I was also an instructor at the San Diego Museum of Art for several years; I ran the Scout workshops, taught Saturday classes and led summer camps.

My passion is drawing and painting and I spend a lot of time working in my sketchbooks.  I love to make jewelry and enjoy reading and hanging at the beach and kayaking on the bay.   My husband, daughter (who also attended AEA) and I love to go camping. I enjoy exploring our National parks.  Exploring nature during these trips always gives me inspiration for creating my artwork.  I look forward to getting creative with you all and seeing where our imaginations will take us.

 Please feel free to contact me anytime at msheinzelmann@aeacs.org