HCVSD Names Teresa De Sapio Diaz as Educator of the Year

FLEMINGTON, N.J. – Hunterdon County Vocational School District (HCVSD) has named Teresa De Sapio Diaz as Educator of the Year. Diaz has taught Commercial Art & Advertising Design and 3D Computer Animation at Hunterdon County Polytech Career & Technical High School since December 1999. She also is an Adult Education instructor for HCVSD and the advisor for the district’s National Art Honor Society.

In nominating Diaz, Tanya Nalesnik, HCVSD Director of Grant Management, Admissions & Security and Supervisor of the Bartles Campus, said, “During her tenure with HCVSD, Mrs. Diaz has directly contributed to the district’s growth and success by developing skilled artists with accomplished portfolios and leaders of character in her programs, both at the high school and adult education levels.”

Diaz was “surprised” at being named HCVSD’s Educator of the Year. “Honestly, it feels good to be recognized for the work I do. I give my all to this job. I really care about these students, and it’s nice to know that my work is noticed and appreciated.” She said being an art educator is “extremely rewarding.” Diaz noted that in her role, she gets to “work with students to improve their skills, expose them to new information and techniques and lead them on the path to a future in the arts.”

But, Diaz did not set out to be a teacher. While walking to her portfolio review – the culminating event as a college senior – her portfolio broke open sending four years’ worth of work scattered to the wind and a nearby mud puddle. Diaz said she “cried” as her opportunity to show her portfolio and interview with top companies in the country literally blew away. “This was prior to the age of digital cameras,” she explained. “I had no copies of my art. I knew that after working so hard for four years, I was back at square one.” While waitressing and telling her customers she was an artist, she convinced her boss to let her sell hand-painted greeting cards in the restaurant. From there, Diaz redesigned the restaurant’s menu and began running her own business as a freelance illustrator and designer.

That is when she got the call about teaching at HCVSD. She walked into the room to observe before accepting the position and said she was “hooked”. Still, 21 years later, Diaz said she remains “passionate about communicating to students that they can do this for a living. Art is a viable career path. There is nothing greater than getting paid to do something you love. I didn’t know at the time, but entering teaching was going to supply me with a second career that I also would love.”

Teaching during a pandemic has forced Diaz to make a conscious decision to focus on students’ mental health, more than on their grades or performances in class. She said she “learned to ask questions” when she noticed a student begin to disengage or struggle. “I contact parents and counselors with the goal of getting them help, first and foremost.”

Diaz said she had to adjust to working from home during the complete shutdown of New Jersey schools last spring. This year, she is in the classroom teaching two classes for students learning both in-person and online. “It forces me to be organized and plan ahead, yet be extremely flexible and creative.”

Diaz has been especially open this year to changes in how the district’s Bridging the Gap program runs. The program operates in partnership with local Rotary clubs to pair Diaz’s students with individuals, businesses and nonprofits with design needs. It typically launches with an in-person career fair in March, but this year’s program may begin with virtual interviews. Diaz is currently soliciting “clients” interested in working with her students. Businesses or nonprofits interested in utilizing the students’ artistic and design skills should contact Diaz at tdiaz@hcvsd.org, or by calling 908-788-1119, ext. 2021, by March 8.

“Teresa consistently provides her students with more than just an education, because she presents them with opportunities to gain professional experience through our Bridging the Gap Program and competitive events,” said HCVSD Superintendent Dr. Todd Bonsall. “She works to ensure students’ growth as artists, helping them advance their talents and creativity while also supporting them in developing their portfolios and non-technical skills necessary for attaining their college and career goals.”

Students who show their passion, talent and desire to pursue art as a career inspire Diaz. “They soak in everything I have to say and challenge themselves to explore new technology and techniques,” she said. “They ask questions and make connections between our lessons and projects to the world around them. I especially love learning from my students.” She said that her students “expand my knowledge as an artist and skills as a teacher. I love when they critique me and tell me how I can do things better; it inspires me to improve.”

Diaz is understandably proud of her students, who have had success as animators for Disney, Cartoon Network and film studios in the U.S. and Canada. Other alumni have landed jobs as senior art directors at advertising agencies in New York City, web developers in Australia, business owners, interactive designers, brand strategists, product designers, fashion designers, interior designers, app developers, fine artists, freelance illustrators and graphic designers. Some have even followed in her footsteps to become art educators. Their accomplishments, she said, “fill me up on a daily basis.”

Diaz holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in illustration and visual communication from Columbus College of Art and Design. She lives in Kingwood Township with her husband, Fernando, and four children: Isabella, Gabriella, Marialessia and Domenico.

Hunterdon County Polytech Career and Technical High School is the largest component of Hunterdon County Vocational School District (HCVSD). Polytech is the district’s shared-time high school that prepares students for a seamless transition to college and career paths. HCVSD also operates an Adult & Continuing Education school and three science-based high school academies: the Biomedical Sciences Academy, the Computer Science & Applied Engineering Academy and the Environmental Sustainability & Engineering Academy. Learn more at www.hcvsd.org.

All pupils will be given equal opportunity for enrollment in programs operated by the Hunterdon County Vocational School District regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender, religion, disability, or socioeconomic status (34 C.F.R. Part 100, Appendix B, Section IV-A). No qualified handicapped person shall, on the basis of handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity which receives federal financial assistance, et seq (34 C.F.R. Part 104.4(a)(b).