Annandale Village offers three program tracts through the Patricia M. Brown Center for Programs.  Perhaps the most popular with the Villagers are the arts and academics classes.  Here they learn about different crafts, create wonderful works of art, participate in plays, and learn life skills.  The quirky visionary with a British accent responsible for these activities is Tammy Severino.

Tammy’s main goal when planning activities is for the Villagers to “be happy”, meaning that the projects must be engaging, fun, and creative.  Tammy often uses humor to capture the Villager’s interest, dressing in a toga to teach about the Roman Empire or wearing a giant sombrero while talking about Cinco de Mayo.  Tammy’s compassion and enthusiasm for her work shines through for all to see. 

Tammy has developed an artist group that works independently of class under her direction.  Several of these talented artists will be the first to participate in the Annandale Micro-Enterprise Initiative which will allow them to create, market, and sell their artwork.

Tammy was born in England and came to Annandale as the Arts and Academics Instructor in August of 2005.  In addition to her natural creativity, Tammy has a degree in Fashion Design.  She is able to take the most mundane of items and spin an exciting, interesting project such as giving old shoes a new life as objects de arte.

Prior to coming to Annandale, Tammy was an instructor for three years at the Emily Fortey School for students with severe and profound disabilities.  She derived great satisfaction in helping others and enjoyed the challenges that she faced on a daily basis.  She felt that she had truly found her calling in life.

Tammy has implemented several inovative techniques to engage her students. Some examples are:

Art You Can Eat: Getting to eat the fruit after completing a drawing of the fruit in cross section was a great motivator and fun snack for all.

Dance Class:  Everyone needs a little motivating when it comes to exercise.  A little James Brown and Tammy's students are up moving and having a great time too!

King or Queen of the Week:  Each week one Villager is chosen to be the King or Queen of the week.  They are asked about their favorite activities and these are then incorporated into the lesson plan for the following week.  Not only does this make the Villager feel special, but it allows for individual preferences to be to be addressed and helps keep the classes interesting.