Some teachers inspire students like few others. You may already have an image popping up in your mind of your own favorite educator. For Bethpage High School students, many visualize art teacher Ms.Cardo. 

Ms. Cardo’s chill personality (translation: relaxed) makes it effortless to talk to her, just as you would a friend. Many students actually choose to spend time in her classroom during their lunch periods, which says a lot about this fine teacher and the environment she has created in the art wing.  

Not only is she entertaining, she disseminates knowledge very well: students want to hear what she has to say. She is well-informed in every aspect of art and admirably teaches what she has learned. 

One anonymous senior said, “She is not only informed in art, but she is so open-minded as well.” She spreads creativity through her spirit.”

Naturally, The Eagle’s Cry needed to interview her.

TEC: How does one define art?  

According to Ms. Cardo, “The arts are the voice and memory of all societies.” In her opinion, “art” is best defined as “A way to communicate beliefs and express ideas about the human experience throughout all stages of civilization and in every region of the world and it provides important insights into past and existing cultures.”

This helps us understand how others have lived and what they valued. Art is your language, your creativity and your expression of who you are as a person. 

Art is part of Ms. Cardo’s nature, which becomes clear when she said, “I always knew that art would be part of my life. As an artist, the desire to create is always with you. It is a life function that you feel like you can not survive without.” 

After graduating from college, Ms. Cardo actually panicked at the thought of losing studio space. Luckily, she met a ceramicist with a space she could use who also greatly influenced her personal work and teaching.  

Ms. Cardo cites The Ten Lessons the Art Teaches by Elliot Eisner as a descriptive explanation of her ideals on the arts in high school curricula.  Eisner eloquently argues for the significance of art, not only educationally but in various other aspects of life.  The full work can be found below, and Ms. Cardo recommends we take a look at it.

https://tinkerlab.com/elliot-eisner-arts-education-leader-visionary/

Nashrah, a senior attending Bethpage High School, explained, “She is kind, lenient, and someone that makes you comfortable to talk to.” 

In Ms. Cardo’s opinion, “the nature of my subject lends itself to [approachability].” Yes, students might have struggles or difficult moments when solving a problem in the arts. But typically, Ms. Cardo’s room tends to be the “great exhale” in her students’ days.