Meet our instructors

Stay tuned for to meet our 2025/26 Mini Makerz instructors!

Hi there! My name is Charlotte Faubert, and I am an MA graduate student in the Teaching and Learning in Art and Design (TLAD) department. Prior to attending RISD, I received my bachelors of science in psychology at Union College. My background in psychology informs my practices as an art educator. I aim to relate my art projects to the development/ socioemotional needs of young students, the context of which I have a strong understanding from both my degree in psychology and my time working as a pre-K teacher at Bright Horizons in Brookline, MA. My time engaging in research and real world educational practice has taught me that young children best engage with and learn from creative practices when they are able to play, imagine, and make mistakes through their art. My goal as an art educator is to instill a sense of curiosity, openmindedness, and compassion within each student, and to encourage them to be unashamedly themselves! 

Dr. Shana Cinquemani is an Associate Professor in the Department of Teaching + Learning in Art + Design (TLAD) at the Rhode Island School of Design, with a specialty in elementary and early childhood art education. She has worked as a museum educator, a preschool teaching assistant, as well as an elementary and middle school art teacher. Shana has published her research in various peer reviewed publications and edited collections, and is currently co-editing a book on motherscholarship, young children, and the arts. She has presented her work at local, national, and international venues, and is also the past president of the Early Childhood Art Educators Interest Group for the National Art Education Association. She lives in Rhode Island with her 9 year old son, husband, two cats, and their dog.

My name is Xiao. I am an art educator working with children, youth, and families across schools, museums, libraries, and after-school programs. My practice centers on creating space for students to lead their own explorations, make choices, and co-construct meaning. Last year, I had the chance to explore bookmaking with Mini Makerz. We created pop-up books, flag books, and wearable books, merging storytelling and material exploration in unique and playful forms.

My name is Xiao. I am an art educator working with children, youth, and families across schools, museums, libraries, and after-school programs. My practice centers on creating space for students to lead their own explorations, make choices, and co-construct meaning. Last year, I had the chance to explore bookmaking with Mini Makerz. We created pop-up books, flag books, and wearable books, merging storytelling and material exploration in unique and playful forms.

Dr. Shana Cinquemani is an Associate Professor in the Department of Teaching + Learning in Art + Design (TLAD) at the Rhode Island School of Design, with a specialty in elementary and early childhood art education. She has worked as a museum educator, a preschool teaching assistant, as well as an elementary and middle school art teacher. Shana has published her research in various peer reviewed publications and edited collections, and is currently co-editing a book on motherscholarship, young children, and the arts. She has presented her work at local, national, and international venues, and is also the past president of the Early Childhood Art Educators Interest Group for the National Art Education Association. She lives in Rhode Island with her 9 year old son, husband, two cats, and their dog.

Stay tuned for current and past Mini Makerz instructor bios!