Jillian Cook is beginning her third year as an art educator at Smithfield High School, where she is passionate about creating a classroom that fosters creativity, confidence, and belonging. She believes art is a powerful tool for helping students discover their voices, build meaningful relationships, and develop lifelong problem-solving skills. Beyond the classroom, Jillian founded the school’s Clay Club to provide students with a creative community after school and helped establish the National Art Honor Society to encourage student leadership and service through the arts. As a practicing ceramic artist, Jillian’s primary medium is stoneware clay. She is a member of Terra Potta, a ceramic studio cooperative in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, where she continues to develop her own artistic practice. She believes remaining an active artist enriches her teaching and allows her to inspire students through firsthand creative experience. She strives to create engaging, choice-based learning experiences that inspire students to take creative risks and express themselves authentically. Jillian is honored to be nominated for the New Art Educator of the Year Award and is grateful to work alongside students and colleagues who continually inspire her as an educator.

I am an elementary art educator, artist, mother, traveler, and lifelong learner. I studied Art Education at Rhode Island College and later spent nearly a decade living abroad. During those years, I traveled extensively, experienced different cultures and communities, and had opportunities to teach for short periods in places including India and Greece. Those experiences continue to shape both who I am and the educator I have become. After returning to Rhode Island, I began working in Warwick Public Schools and later joined the district as a visual art teacher. Outside of school, I have volunteered with Artists’ Exchange in Cranston for the past five years, keeping me connected to the larger local arts community. My experiences with art, museums, nature, travel, and traditional art-making around the world continually find their way into my classroom. As both a mother and an educator, I care deeply about creating a place where children feel they belong, where their individuality is valued, and where they are encouraged to explore, wonder, create, and discover who they are.

Jordan Silveira is currently entering her 13th year as an art educator. For the past 4 years, she specialized in 2-D mediums of Digital Photography and Graphic Design at Portsmouth High School in Portsmouth, RI. Jordan graduated from Averett University in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with a PK-12 Visual Arts certificate. She received her AP Studio Art certification in 2023 and has taught AP 2-D Design since then. Jordan Silveira also assistant coached the boy’s volleyball team at Portsmouth High School in the 2024 and 2025 seasons where they made program history in becoming the Division III runner-up champions. More importantly, in her personal life, Jordan has been married to her husband Michael for 8 years and they have two amazing children, a 4 year old named Artemis and a soon-to-be 1 year old named Ansel. Jordan has continued to pursue her own artistic endeavors from showcasing artworks at Spring Bull Gallery and WCFA RI Educator Exhibition, placing first in a national photography contest, painting large scale murals, or even crafting elaborate fairy houses with her daughter. Art is everywhere so everyone can be an artist and Jordan Silveira shares that with her family and students everyday!

Rhode Island College (RIC) was established in 1854 to provide students with opportunities to change and grow – a commitment that continues today. We bring in-demand programs, taught by expert faculty, that are designed to provide pathways to career success to our nearly 7,000 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students.

RIC is dedicated to fostering creativity, artistic exploration, and meaningful engagement with the arts through education. RIC has partnered with RIAEA on numerous occasions to provide opportunities for students and teachers to strengthen visual arts education in Rhode Island.

Mary McMurtery, Art Teacher and CTE Instructor at Hope High School, has spent her entire teaching career in the Providence Public Schools. A graduate of Rhode Island College (BA Communications) and Mass Art (BFA), Mary has been a member of the RIAEA since the late ‘90s. She has served on the board in several capacities over the years, and continues to participate in events whenever possible. She considers herself very lucky to have spent the past 29 years teaching art; the best job ever.