By CARRIE BLODI and JESSICA DELVIRGINIA
Staff Writers
Passionate, spunky, and innovative are three words that flawlessly describe art substitute teacher
Jeanmarie Fiocchi-Marden.
Originally hired as a substitute for Mrs. Laura Fallon while she was out on maternity leave last spring,
Mrs. Fiocchi-Marden once again joins Communications as a temporary staff member this year while Fallon
takes an extra semester off.
“I love teaching, and there is a program here at CHS custom-made to what I can teach: fine art and
illustration/design,” Fiocchi-Marden said.
“Mrs. FM,” as her students call her, has a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Tyler Undergraduate
School of Art.
She studied abroad in Rome during her junior year, and completed graduate school with a master’s
degree in art education from Columbia University.
Fiocchi-Marden has been teaching art for 13 years, which, according to students, is easily evidenced by
her teaching style.
“Although it took me a little while to warm up to it, I have grown to love Mrs. FM’s teaching style. Her
class is my favorite of the day,” said junior Michael Desocio, who participates in the junior elective,
Illustration and Design.
Fine art and illustration design was not always Fiocchi-Marden’s main passion.
“I wanted to be a photographer, but thought I would have a better chance at being financially successful
as a designer. I’ve grown to love design and typography,” she said about her inspiration to becom a
designer instead, her career for the past 18 years.
Kiera Brennan, another junior in the Illustration and Design class third period, appreciates “FM” for
enriching her curriculum.
“I think she treats students with a lot of respect and really focuses on art rather than the curriculum,”
Brennan said.
“She focuses on individualizing art projects and tailoring them to each class,” Brennan added.
Jacob Vernick, a sophomore in Fiocchi-Marden’s first period Visual Communications class also offered
high praise for his art teacher.
“I think she’s the good kind of crazy, and I’ve really liked the projects that we’ve done on Photoshop so
far. For a kid who doesn’t like art at all, those are huge compliments, too,” he said.
For students who show a strong appreciation for art, Fiocchi-Marden offered advice for people looking
to go into a related field.
“Fill your head. Look at as much as you can. Look through art design magazines and websites,” she
said.
Fiocchi-Marden also suggested visiting colleges that offer graphic design in order to build a strong art
portfolio.
“Gather experiences in life. Even if it doesn’t end up helping you, it can help you help someone else.”
“When it comes to Mrs. FM’s illustration course, prepare for a surprise every time you step in the
classroom,” said junior Ellen Studer of Fiocchi-Marden’s third period class.