Mrs. Sherri o. Nevins
I am Sherri O. Nevins and I am one of the Art educators at Vernon Center Middle School.
I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the teens of Vernon since 2002 at VCMS. I have been able to incorporate
my love for art with working with students over this time, developing their skills and knowledge
in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, art history, aesthetics, art criticism, as well as collaborating
with content teachers and exhibiting their creative artwork.
Before working at VCMS I was employed at Skinner Road School and Lake Street School for two years.
While I was there my students and I produced illustrated books, a skit video, collaborative work as well as
many self-expressive art pieces that were inspiring to all. However, my teaching career didn’t start in Vernon.
Before Vernon, I taught at Klingberg Family Center in New Britain, CT which is a K-12 Special Education
program and before that I began my teaching career at E. B. Kennelly School in Hartford, CT
from 1997 - 2000.
AWARDS
In 2008 I received the Outstanding Middle School Art Educator Award from the Connecticut Art Education
Association. I was so honored to be nominated and receive this prestigious award. In 2004 I was able to work on the
Hockenum Mills mural project – led by Vernon Youth Services. The work that I did on that community based
art project earned me the Profiles in Professionalism award through Vernon Public Schools.
EDUCATION
I received my Masters of Science Degree in Art Education at Central Connecticut State University Graduate Program
in 2004; my Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Art Education was earned in 1996 at the University of Colorado at Boulder,
College of Arts and Sciences and previous to that I had earned my Associate of Arts Degree in Graphic Design
at the University of Bridgeport, College of Arts & Humanities in 1987.
I continue to look forward to educating the students in Vernon about the importance of an art education.
Their creative responses to assignments, both in and outside of the classroom keep me full of excitement
for continuing my work with them. I am grateful that you have shared your children with me.
I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the teens of Vernon since 2002 at VCMS. I have been able to incorporate
my love for art with working with students over this time, developing their skills and knowledge
in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, art history, aesthetics, art criticism, as well as collaborating
with content teachers and exhibiting their creative artwork.
Before working at VCMS I was employed at Skinner Road School and Lake Street School for two years.
While I was there my students and I produced illustrated books, a skit video, collaborative work as well as
many self-expressive art pieces that were inspiring to all. However, my teaching career didn’t start in Vernon.
Before Vernon, I taught at Klingberg Family Center in New Britain, CT which is a K-12 Special Education
program and before that I began my teaching career at E. B. Kennelly School in Hartford, CT
from 1997 - 2000.
AWARDS
In 2008 I received the Outstanding Middle School Art Educator Award from the Connecticut Art Education
Association. I was so honored to be nominated and receive this prestigious award. In 2004 I was able to work on the
Hockenum Mills mural project – led by Vernon Youth Services. The work that I did on that community based
art project earned me the Profiles in Professionalism award through Vernon Public Schools.
EDUCATION
I received my Masters of Science Degree in Art Education at Central Connecticut State University Graduate Program
in 2004; my Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Art Education was earned in 1996 at the University of Colorado at Boulder,
College of Arts and Sciences and previous to that I had earned my Associate of Arts Degree in Graphic Design
at the University of Bridgeport, College of Arts & Humanities in 1987.
I continue to look forward to educating the students in Vernon about the importance of an art education.
Their creative responses to assignments, both in and outside of the classroom keep me full of excitement
for continuing my work with them. I am grateful that you have shared your children with me.
Ms. Amanda tooker
Hello. I am Amanda Tooker the other art educator here at Vernon Center Middle school. I have been teaching art to children since my very first year of college. I was fortunate to find my love of teaching art so early in life. Now after 20 years of developing and facilitating art programing across Connecticut I am enjoying my new role at VCMS. Prior to working here I taught at Skinner Road School from 2013-2019 and Connecticut Children's Medical Center from 2011-2017.
I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Studio Art from Southern Connecticut State University. Then went on to earn a Graduate Certification in Art Education. I have had the honor of teaching art in public schools since 2012.