Alexsandra Haraden and Lisa Sacco

Islip School District’s Fine Arts Department recently announced the appointment of two new art teachers. Alexsandra Haraden, originally a leave replacement for the 2022-2023 school year, has been hired as a full-time probationary teacher at Islip Middle School, teaching sixth and eighth grade art, while Lisa Sacco has been hired as a full-time probationary teacher at Islip High School following the retirement of longtime art educator Laura Vogelsberg.

Having successfully completed her stint as a leave replacement last year, Haraden has been rehired as a full-time probationary instructor. She earned her bachelor’s degree in interactive media and animation from the Fashion Institute of Technology and her master’s degree in childhood education from Long Island University. Haraden is triple certified to teach grades 1-6 in general education, special education and K-12 visual arts.
“With each stroke of the brush and every pencil line, I aim to empower my students, teaching them that art is not just about the final product, but the journey of exploration and growth,” Haraden said.

Sacco is entering her fifth year as an art educator, having previously taught in the Three Village School District. She graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a degree in visual arts education and is currently pursuing a masters in instructional technology at Touro University.

“I love teaching all types of art, but ceramics and pottery are what I like to do most in my free time,” said Sacco, an avid hiker and gardener who raises monarch butterflies each summer.

“The Islip School District has a rich history of high-level art instruction at every level,” Director of Fine and Performing Arts Michael Hershkowitz said. “Mrs. Haraden and Ms. Sacco not only bring to Islip their incredible talents as working artists, but an enthusiasm for working with students and fostering their creativity and mastery.”

Date Added: 8/28/2023