About

Hello! My name is Samantha Varian and I am an K-12 art educator.  I have experience in teaching elementary, middle school, and high school in a variety of settings. I am currently a middle school art educator, teaching 6th through 8th grade. I have presented at international, national, and state-wide conferences on my thesis research on Choice-Based Art Education and on adaptive tools for visual art instruction. I have led webinars for the NAEA and VSA on meeting the needs of diverse student populations in the art room.  I have a true passion for art education, and I am always excited to introduce interesting new lessons that spark creativity while promoting choice, voice, and inclusive practices.

Education

MA in Art Education with an Emphasis on Special Populations

Moore College of Art and Design                                                     August 2016

Bachelor of Fine Arts with Art Education, BFA concentration in Printmaking

Tyler School of Art, Temple University                                          August 2013

Certification

Pennsylvania Instructional II, Art PK-12

Publications & Collegiate Work

Published: Choosing Creatively: Choice-Based Art Education for an Inclusive Classroom- Aug. 2016

• Graduate Thesis & Thesis Research on ERIC-EBSCO Host

  • Link to thesis: https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED567778

  • Link to Thesis Presentation: https://moore.edu/academics/graduate-studies/ma-art-education/student-thesis-work/samantha-varian-thesis-2016

Awards

Pennsylvania Art Education Association-   October 2021

• 2021 Outstanding Special Needs Art Educator

National Art Education Association-   March 2022

• 2022 NAEA, CEC, VSA Peter J. Geisser SNAE Art Educator of the Year

Councils & Committees

Graduate Thesis Advisory Committee-   Fall 2017 - 2020

• Member and Editor, Moore College of Art & Design

Moore College of Art & Design Alumni Council- September 2018- present

• Member, Moore College of Art & Design

The 2nd International Conference on Disabilities Studies, Arts & Education- October 2018-2019

• Website Coordinator

Special Needs in Art Education- NAEA Special Interest Group- November 2020-present

• Communications Chair

Presentations & Webinars

PAEA Conference Presenter- October 2021

• Adaptive Tools, Visual Aids, and Manipulatives for Choice, Voice, & Equity

• Hands-On Adaptive Tool Workshop

NAEA Conference Presenter- March 2020

• Adaptive Tools, Visual Aids, and Manipulatives for Choice, Voice, & Equity

Art Education in a Time of Virtual Learning Panel- Spring 2020

• Art Education Panel: Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners Through Virtual Learning

The 2nd International Conference on Disabilities Studies, Arts & Education Presenter-  Philadelphia, PA- Fall 2019

• Meeting the Needs of Diverse Populations and Students with Multiple Disabilities through Art Education in Inclusive Classrooms

The Kennedy Center, VSA Intersections Conference Snapshot Lesson Presenter- Atlanta, GA - Summer 2018

• Adaptive Tools for Visual Arts Instruction

The Kennedy Center, VSA Intersections Pre-Conference - Presenter- Atlanta, GA - Summer 2018

• Choice-Based Art Education for Inclusive Classrooms

 VSA Florida Webinar Presenter- Spring 2017

• Choosing Creatively: Choice-Based Art Education for an Inclusive Classroom

NAEA Conference Presenter- New York, New York- Spring 2017

• Choosing Creatively: Choice-Based Art Education for an Inclusive Classroom

NAEA Webinar Presenter-Winter 2017

• Special Needs in Art Education

PAEA Presenter- Philadelphia, PA- Fall 2016

• Choosing Creatively: Choice-Based Art Education for an Inclusive Classroom

PAEA Presenter- Harrisburg, PA- Fall 2015

• Special Education Inclusive Arts Curriculum with the Barnes Foundation

  
  
  
  
  
  

samanthavarian@gmail.com