Karen Mannino has been an Art Teacher in New Jersey for the past thirteen years.  She graduated with a BA in Art, with Certification to Teach Art (K-12), from Rowan University in 2005.  In 2012, she received her MATL from Nova Southeastern University.  She is currently enrolled in Kean University's Visual Arts Supervision Master's program.  

From 2006 through 2014, Karen taught Art at Walter O. Krumbiegel Middle School in Hillside. Following a reduction in force, she worked at William L. Dickinson High School in Jersey City, where she taught Painting and Introduction to Art classes for two years.  For her work at DHS, she was recognized as AENJ's Secondary Art Educator of the Year.  She returned to Hillside in 2016, and currently teaches at George Washington Elementary School.  She also coaches girls' soccer at Hillside High School. 

Additionally, Karen serves on the Board of Directors of the Art Educators of New Jersey (AENJ) as State Youth Art Month Co-Chair.  She has held this position for the past three years. For this position, she collaborates with other AENJ members to facilitate a state-wide art show, awards ceremony, and reception for the selected K-12 student artists, who are from all various counties throughout New Jersey.  For her work with YAM, she has received the Award of Excellence from the Council for Art Education and the Governor's Award in Art Education for the past three years. 

Outside of art, she is a huge sports fan.  Her favorite teams are the New York Giants, Atlanta Braves, and Pittsburgh Penguins.  As a former dog mom, she also loves German shepherds.