
Kari Giordano teaches art, design, and photography to grades 7-12 at Mount Everett Regional School in Sheffield, Massachusetts. She received her Bachelor of Fine Art from State University of New York at New Paltz and her Master of Art from Rhode Island School of Design. Beyond her teaching duties, Giordano serves as the K-12 Arts Curriculum Leader as well as advisor to numerous school organizations. Awards and honors include the prestigious James C. Kapteyn Award for Excellence in Teaching, Berkshire Community College’s 40 Under 40 Award, and State University of New York at New Paltz’s 40 Under 40 Award. Giordano has had over a dozen articles published in SchoolArts Magazine, a national art education publication, has presented her design curriculum at the National Art Education Association National Convention and has been invited to speak at the New Paltz Women in Leadership Summit. Outside of education, Giordano owns and operates a freelance graphic design and photography studio. She lives and works in Berkshire County, Massachusetts with her husband and two young sons. For her inquiry project, she is excited to study rural arts education and how practical, place-based projects can connect rural students with their local communities in an age where urbanization has a profound impact on rural districts.
Photo - Tricia McCormick




















Education
University of Edinburgh - Fulbright Fellowship
Rhode Island School of Design - MAT, Art and Design Education
Falmouth University - MA Photography, est. completion December 2023
School of Fine and Performing Arts at SUNY New Paltz - BFA, Graphic Design
Additional Work Experience
Small Business Owner - Sundae Graphic Design and Photography
Freelance Graphic Design and Photography 2006-present
www.sundaegraphics.com
Areas of Expertise
• Differentiated Instruction
• 21st Century Skills and Integration of Technology
• Mentor to at-risk students
• Applicable Curriculum Design relevant to teenagers’ lives
• Arts Integration/Cross-Curricular Mapping
• Graphic Design/Photography
• Performing Arts
Teaching Experience
Teacher/Teacher Leader - Southern Berkshire Regional School District
7-12 Art, Design, & Photography Teacher – 2006 - present
Awards and Honors
• 2019 Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching Fellowship
• 2018 Berkshire 40 Under 40 Honoree
• 2017 State University of New York 40 Under 40 Honoree
• 2015 James C. Kapteyn Prize Winner
• Published author in School Arts, a national education magazine (April 2015, February 2011, December 2015, September 2015, etc)
• National Art Education Association - National Conference Presenter
• New York State Art Teachers Association - Conference Presenter
• Rhode Island School of Design, Department of Teaching and Learning - Guest Speaker
• Received grants from the Eagle Fund and Massachusetts Cultural Council for student enrichment projects
Press
Berkshire Eagle - Kapteyn Prize
Berkshire Taconic - Kapteyn Prize
RiSd TLAD - Kapteyn Prize
A Cheering Gift to Students, Berkshire Eagle
Berkshire Eagle - Mount Everett students collaborate on Children's Book
Published Articles
Davis Publications - STEAM Collection - Fold, Cut, Adhere
University of Edinburgh - Race Ed
Centre for Education for Racial Equality in Scotland
SchoolArts December 2018 - Safe Shadows
SchoolArts September 2019 - Fold, Cut, Adhere
SchoolArts April 2015
SchoolArts September 2015
SchoolArts December 2015
SchoolArts January 2016
SchoolArts February 2017
SchoolArts May 2016
SchoolArts Summer 2017
SchoolArts 2015 - Gratitude Cards