Politics & Government

Towaco Resident Honored as an 'Extraordinary Teacher'

Arlene Sullivan, art teacher at Morris Catholic, recognized by Philadelphia University.

“I believe there is nothing more important than art in a person’s life because it touches on so many aspects from color to construction; what you wear, where you live and work, it all comes down to an artist’s touch."


This encompassing, fervent statement, made by Morris Catholic High School art teacher and Changing Images Art Foundation co-founder and executive director, Arlene Sullivan, only partially explains why she has been selected to be the recipient of a highly prestigious award.

Other reasons include her persistence, hard work, dedication, tireless efforts in hospital pediatric centers and the committed, neighborly education she provides to her students. It is also because of these students that she has been called upon to receive a highly selective award from Philadelphia University, chosen amongst nomination letters from 700 incoming freshmen.

Centennial Educator’s Award

The University’s selection committee for the Centennial Educator’s Award has selected her as an extraordinary teacher who will be honored at convocation on campus, held August 22.

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“I was told that there were 700 incoming freshmen and that three people were selected to receive this great honor,” said Sullivan.

“I believe this award is incredibly valuable to educators; it validates their existence,” she said. “…I personally am grateful to all of the parents who have let me be a part of their children’s lives." 

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A Lifetime of Dedication

Sullivan, formerly married for 32 years, is now a single parent of three – James, Laura and Jonathan. A self-proclaimed ‘nerd’ at a young age, she always role-played being a teacher.

With an artistically talented uncle, she was exposed to art at a young age, and given a paintbrush (which she still carries around) by her aunt and uncle.

“I never thought of becoming anything else but an art teacher,” she said.

After her son was born, his unfortunate stay in intensive care for two months influenced her to co-found Changing Images, a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt art foundation in 1997.

Their mission is to provide “Medicine for the Soul” through supervised interactive art activities, according to Sullivan. As the foundation’s artist, she finds herself painting with people of all ages in hospital units, nursing homes, shelters and schools.

“I’m happy to say that we have murals throughout the world and have made a tremendous difference in an untold number of people’s lives.”

She’s also written and illustrated a children’s book entitled The Journey of Hanna Heart, which according to Sullivan, has since evolved into transforming pediatric units into giant “walk-in books.”

In addition, she’s served as the illustrator for a book entitled The Spiritual Journey of the Stations of the Cross, by Daniel Grant. The illustrations of this piece have also been the framework for painting projects at local churches.

She began her tenure at Morris Catholic in September of 2006 and currently teaches Visual Arts I, II and III, Graphic Arts I and II, and serves as the adviser for the Yearbook Club, the Key Club, the Art Club, and the Trader’s Club (which as a finance group, was the only student club to visit the floor of the New York Stock Exchange this past spring).

She also enlists her students’ work into various exhibits, including the Blackwell Street Artist exhibit as well as the Congressional Art Exhibit attended by Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen.

Before Morris Catholic, she had also fulfilled multiple art-related positions, including being the coordinator for the Sussex County Teen Arts, and a committee member of the North Jersey Student Craftsmen’s Fair.

“I truly believe art makes a valuable difference in people’s lives and for their entire lives…Grandma Moses painted at 102!” she said.

‘A Secret Treasure’

Author and president on the board of directors of Changing Images Art Foundation, Daniel Grant, showed nothing but admiration for his fellow artist and colleague.

“Arlene is kind of a secret treasure in Montville Township. She isn’t one to extoll her own accomplishments so there aren’t many in Montville who know about all the things she has done,” he said. “She brings her all to any project, teaching, the foundation, or what ever she takes on…(and it’s) always about benefiting others.

She was doing a project in a hospital pediatric ward in northern New Jersey…One little girl who had terminal cancer didn’t want to paint…(but) Arlene convinced the girl to try and (she) spent hours painting and having fun. 10 years later the child has passed and the mother contacted Arlene and asked her to do another mural for the pediatric waiting room in the memory of her daughter. That still hangs there,” he said.

Moving forward, Sullivan would like to expand the high school’s art program, and seeks to have more affable interaction between art teachers of feeder schools and their students. She suggested potential communal projects, but the list could surely continue…

Though there is much to recognize within Sullivan’s accomplishments, she seems to humbly put others first; and that is a trait that Philadelphia University has most definitely picked up.

“To be singled out as an extraordinary teacher who has made a difference in the lives of students…wow!” she said. “Educators really do touch the future. It is a privilege to be one of them.”



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