About the Program Director:

 

As a former Pre-K teaching assistant with three years of experience at a private school serving low-income families, Sunaé Long worked closely with children ages 3–5 across all subject areas. She implemented strategies from both the Creative Curriculum and Tools of the Mind—two frameworks that prioritize self-expression, imaginative play, and developmental goal-setting. The Creative Curriculum encourages children to explore freely through art, play, and hands-on discovery, while Tools of the Mind supports role-playing and setting personal intentions during learning and playtime.

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After transitioning from full-time early childhood education and pursuing art part-time, Sunaé is now a full-time visual artist with a strong commitment to arts education. Beginning in spring and continuing through the summer of 2025, she launched a program she designed to lead art workshops for youth of all ages (K–12) and adults. Her programming includes collaborative painting experiences and guided discussions through a series she created called Craft & Convos, as well as fashion-focused workshops on upcycling and personal storytelling through wearable art.

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Sunaé’s teaching path began in her teenage years when she volunteered with after-school programs such as Play-Safe in New Brunswick, supporting arts and crafts activities for younger children. In 2022, she served as a guest workshop coordinator for a fashion design program by Blak The Brand for girls ages 9–17 in Newark, NJ, where participants created tote bags as personalized vision boards representing their self-image and aspirations. She continues to draw on these early experiences, blending them with her artistic practice to create engaging, culturally responsive learning spaces that center creativity, identity, and community.

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