TAEA Leadership

Click here for a list of open positions, requirements, etc.

Ricia Kerber (Commercial Exhibits Director), Maureen Doebbler (Secretary), Tiffany Silverthorne (Vice-President Elect Youth Art Month), Michaelann Kelley (President Elect), Mel Basham (Past President), Sara Chapman (Executive Director), Jami Bevans (President), Christine Grafe (Vice-President Youth Art Month), Pam Arnold (Vice-President Membership), Lisa Saenz-Saldivar (Treasurer), Gretchen Bell (Vice-President Elect Membership)
Click on the image to download a high-resolution version of the photo.

Please login to see contact information for TAEA's leadership. Otherwise, please contact the TAEA Office if you need assistance.

EXECUTIVE BOARD

	President Jami Bevans What I Love About TAEA: I truly admire the way TAEA has advocated for the visual arts. I love the generosity of our art teachers who give of their time, share their ideas and best practices, and embrace changes in technology so that we may all grow in our artistic pursuits. TAEA helps connect art teachers from all areas of Texas and beyond, making us more than just an organization, making us a family.
	President Elect Michaelann Kelley What I Love About TAEA: I can network and collaborate with divergent-thinking people from all over the state of Texas, yet we converge around our passion for the the visual arts. My TAEA colleagues push my thinking about art curriculum and instruction, which benefits the art students of Aldine and beyond. I look forward to being a part of this organization that has promoted the visual arts in education for many years.
	Past President Mel Basham What I Love About TAEA: What I love about TAEA is the opportunity to meet and collaborate with so many dedicated, passionate art educators. Each member is advocating and educating others on the importance of art in all Texas educational programs. Rural, urban, suburban - we support one another and are all part of our like-minded and determined TAEA Team. We know art education is essential to human development!
	Vice-President Membership Pam Arnold What I Love About TAEA: I love TAEA because the members are positive, creative, and energetic! We are always eager to share new ideas with each other because we want the best for our art students.
	Vice-President Elect Membership Gretchen Bell What I Love About TAEA: Meeting people who share the same passion for Art Education that I do. It is truly amazing how much talent Texas Art Educators have, and I love all of the opportunities we get to collaborate and learn from each other to develop our craft and become the best advocates for our students.
	Vice-President Youth Art Month Christine Grafe What I Love About TAEA: There is so much to love about TAEA! I love all the learning and friendship I've enjoyed through the many years I've been a member. I love the inspiration I gain from being around other like minded people. But most of all I love being part of and giving back to an organization that does so much to enhance the field of art education through leadership, enrichment, advocacy, and fellowship with the most dedicated professionals I've had the privilege to know! TAEA ROCKS!!!
	Vice-President Elect Youth Art Month Tiffany Silverthorne What I Love About TAEA: Membership in TAEA has helped me form lifelong relationships with a network of people who have been, and are, willing to help me grow personally and professionally. Our organization listens to our members and is always willing to go above and beyond to help all involved in art education. Our organization is on the forefront of change as the demands of our profession grow and change. The continued support of our leadership has helped me find, keep, and grow in my passion for quality art education.
	Secretary Maureen Doebbler What I Love About TAEA: I love TAEA because I believe in its mission and believe together, art teachers are stronger — stronger in the classroom, stronger in our districts, stronger in the Texas legislature. Because of TAEA, art teachers become better educators through professional learning, advocacy, collaboration, and support. I hold TAEA deep in my heart. As a member since 2000, I have met numerous amazing art educators forming many lasting friendships and bonds. TAEA is a strong voice for art educators in the state of Texas, and I hope you will become our newest member!
	Treasurer Lisa Saenz-Saldivar What I Love About TAEA: I love the passion that TAEA spreads to educate and advocate for visual arts. I love that, through networking, I have met so many wonderful like-minded people. Mostly I love that over the years, I have had the opportunity to learn and grow as an art educator and leader. I have immense gratitude to be a part of TAEA.
	Executive Director / NAEA Liaison Sara Chapman What I Love About TAEA: TAEA feels like "home" where professional art educators gather to exchange ideas, dialogue, and solve the issues of the world. It creates a safety net to hold members close to mentor, grow, and provide resources when needed. It offers nourishment for those that are hungry for professional development or networking. It holds out helping hands for new comers who want and need guidance. TAEA is a place to have fun, to grow professionally, to make new art friends and find the newest art materials and equipment on the market. TAEA helps makes its members great educators. Don't you want to join our art education home?
	Commercial Exhibits Director Ricia Kerber What I Love About TAEA: I have always taught in schools where I have been the sole art teacher, so TAEA is my connection to other teachers. TAEA is the place in which I collaborated for new ideas and techniques for my classroom.

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
	Junior VASE State Director Suzanne Greene What I Love About TAEA: Fellowship of like minded people is what drew me into TAEA. Everyone is willing to help each other and share their talents, skills, and lessons with all art teachers through Conference, Regional Conferences, and In-Services. You never feel alone because you have your TAEA family to reach out to when you need help. I was helped and now want to give back. I love the excitement that happens when art teachers work together, have fun together, and learn together. We all advocate for our programs and TAEA is here to help all do this.	TEAM State Director Mary Tavares What I Love About TAEA: TAEA has become a very important part of my life as an art educator. It has helped me grow as an elementary art teacher and as a leader in the art community. It has helped me become more confident amongst my peers. I love the support that I feel when I talk to other members.
	High School State Event Director Karri Clark What I Love About TAEA: I love being part of an organization designed to nurture teaching skills and creative as well as intellectual growth. We have the unique opportunity to work alongside art educators who hold a variety of strong artistic and leadership qualities and ability to create a lasting love of art for our students. TAEA will take you on a journey of lifelong learning.	High School VASE State Director Chris Cooper What I Love About TAEA: I love being a part of the TAEA family. No place else can I find such a positive, supportive group of creatives who never fail to inspire me, and who all share a mission: tirelessly sharing and advocating for Visual Arts across our state, and faithfully inspiring the creative potential of our next generation.
STATE DIVISION CHAIRS
	Elementary Division Sarah Kersh Division Info	Elementary Division Elect Kelley Quinn McGee Division Info
	Middle School Jr High Division Sara Massey Division Info	Middle School Jr High Division Elect Isaac Thomas Division Info
	High School Division Sarah Pagona Division Info	High School Division Elect Christopher Weeden Division Info
	Higher Education Division Kathie Walker-Millar Division Info	Higher Education Division Elect Lilia Cabrera Division Info
	Student Division Kaitlyn Roberts Division Info	Supervision / Administration Division Stacia Gower Division Info
	Supervision / Administration Division Elect Sandra Schorr-Newton Division Info	Museum Division Denise Gonzalez Division Info
	Museum Division Elect Kathryn Mitchell Division Info	Retired Art Educators Division Walter Holland Division Info
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS
	Advocacy Betsy Murphy What I Love About TAEA: What I love about TAEA is how our members use the power of art to bring people together. In every corner of Texas, our members are promoting art programs in countless ways. In classrooms, museums, community spaces, as well as on-line venues, students and community members bear witness to the transformative efforts of Texas art educators.	Historian Danielle Pontus What I Love About TAEA: I love how TAEA brings people together no matter age or location! I have so many surrogate family members through TAEA, members that live nowhere near me, but when we meet up, it's as if no time has passed. TAEA is an organization where your voice is heard and where you are supported; and in return, you are able to support and mentor new members. I love my TAEA family!
	Book Study Chair Samantha Melvin Info	Social Committee Chair Paul Kretchmer What I Love About TAEA: I love that at the heart of our mission you find the student. Our advocacy, our pedagogy, our expertise, our passion, our vision, and our beliefs . . . with all of these we encourage, enrich, and educate the young artist. The second thing I love about TAEA is its community of artist-educators. Whether it is colleagues in my home district, friends and TAEA members across the state, or virtual relationships via things like the online book study . . . I connect to a diverse, caring, highly-educated community. Finally, I love the underlying service implied in our membership. I appreciate all that I have gained by my participation in this organization, and I really love that TAEA offers me tangible ways to give back and pay-forward.
	Private School Chair Elizabeth Zepeda	Awards Yvonne Lopez Taylor What I Love About TAEA: Art education is FUNdamental for student growth, problem-solving, and confidence. I love TAEA because the organization allows us to advocate for the arts and our students with new and innovative strategies in and out of the classroom. We are able to come together and collaborate with colleagues across districts and cities; it's amazing. We are students' first glimpse into the expansive world of art and we have the responsibility to teach the foundations for success. With collaboration and professional development through TAEA, students are encouraged to explore, experiment, make mistakes, and create beautiful artwork!
	Community-Based Chair Jenny Lucas What I Love About TAEA: I love TAEA because it facilitates art educators' connections to other art educators and to community arts partners, which serves to increase our visibility and strengthen our voice for advocacy.	2020 Conference Co-Chair - Allen Debbie Nicholas What I Love About TAEA: What I love about TAEA is the opportunity to connect with art educators from across the state of Texas. The support, inspiration, and friendships from fellow members inspires me throughout the school year.
	2020 Conference Co-Chair - Allen Rhonda Goff What I Love About TAEA: Being a member of TAEA since my 4th or 5th year of teaching, I have collected invaluable advice, knowledge, motivation, and friendships. I simply cannot imagine my teaching career without it. Yes, I have local friendships with local art teachers in my community and district; however, the personal and professional connections I have garnered through TAEA have allowed me to reach a level of art education competence that is immeasurable without the collaboration and teaching of this organization. Above all, TAEA has helped me always remember why we are here! Thank you TAEA!!	2020 Conference Co-Chair - Allen Linh Nguyen What I Love About TAEA: TAEA provides us the opportunity to connect, collaborate and cherish in each other's love and passion for art. When we talk about the human connection, it is through art that we are able to transcend into a world of visual communication, passed down from generation to generation. Florence Dibell Bartlett once said, "The art of the craftsman is the bonds between the peoples of the world." TAEA allows us to come together as a unified group to advocate and provide the best for our art teachers and student artists. TAEA is an art teacher's dream and avenue for success!
	2020 Conference Co-Chair - Allen Myron Stennett What I Love About TAEA: Our membership is what I love about TAEA! The people are great. I also love the learning opportunities and experiences. TAEA is an organization that values professional growth and development. I have growth so much as an educator and leader. Mostly, the friendships I have developed through the years are invaluable.	Credentials Kathy Hendrick
	Membership Showcase Rj Christensen What I Love About TAEA: Friendship, Motivation, and a Structure for Success and Excellence — When I started TAEA I was blown away by the phenomenal state conference with professional development that actually pertained to my teaching. Over the years I've found an extensive support group of fellow art teachers and mentors who support my dreams and offer motivation when needed. Age, gender, race, and faith differences are set aside in TAEA. No matter who you are, you are appreciated. After all these years of getting, it's my turn to start giving back to this incredibly influential organization that has played such a strong role in who I am today and the success of my students.	National Art Honor Society Jessica Jones Gonzales What I Love About TAEA: For me, TAEA is about opportunities: to grow, learn, connect, and collaborate with my colleagues. TAEA is such a rich community of individuals, all so willing to take another member by the hand and share. I am passionate about TAEA and so excited to be a part of this vibrant collection of educators.
	Parliamentarian Nathan Vogt What I Love About TAEA: To me, TAEA gives us a supportive family that has experience in the same struggles we face. We build each other up, lend an ear in times of need, and improve our craft together, all while advocating for the arts. Having been the only art teacher at a district, I craved for those connections, and excited I found them with my TAEA family.	Technology Dr. Kari Murphy What I Love About TAEA: I love the creativity of TAEA and the friendships I have gained over the years of serving with TAEA members. I work in the IT world of K-12 education. Serving in TAEA always me to dabble and grow creatively when I feel boxed in with the wires and cables.
AFFILIATES
	Distinguished Fellows Dr. Tina Farrell
REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
	Region 1 Representative Teodoro Estrada Region Info	Region 2 Representative Alejandra Pena Region Info
	Region 3 Representative Jamie Sainz Region Info	Region 4 Representative Sarah Hartman Region Info
	Region 5 Representative Kelsey Thibodeaux Region Info	Region 6 Representative Lisa L. Miller Region Info
	Region 7 Representative Jennifer Vaughn Region Info	Region 8 Representative Debbie Nicholas Region Info
	Region 9 Representative Christie Andrews Region Info	Region 10 Representative Ryan Rimmer Region Info
	Region 11 Representative Dallas Williams Region Info	Region 12 Representative Shawn Knuckles Region Info
	Region 13 Representative Amber Forgey Region Info	Region 14 Representative Brady Sloane Region Info
	Region 15 Representative Stacci Hamilton Region Info	Region 16 Representative Adrienne Hurtt Region Info
	Region 17 Representative Donna Webb Region Info	Region 18 Representative Jesus Valeriano Region Info
	Region 19 Representative Claudia Cardenas Region Info	Region 20 Representative Ambra Hernandez Region Info
LOCAL ART EDUCATION ASSOCIATIONS
	Brazos Valley AEA Nathan Vogt	McKinney AEA Shannon Kessler
	Richardson AEA Toni Crook	Round Rock AEA Kim Block
	Round Rock AEA Cristina Mann	Texas Panhandle AEA Denise Olson
	Texas Panhandle AEA Shawn Kennedy
EDITORIAL STAFF
	2020 Trends Co-Editor Andres Peralta	2020 Trends Co-Editor Rina Little
	TAEA STAR Editor Sara Chapman What I Love About TAEA: TAEA feels like "home" where professional art educators gather to exchange ideas, dialogue, and solve the issues of the world. It creates a safety net to hold members close to mentor, grow, and provide resources when needed. It offers nourishment for those that are hungry for professional development or networking. It holds out helping hands for new comers who want and need guidance. TAEA is a place to have fun, to grow professionally, to make new art friends and find the newest art materials and equipment on the market. TAEA helps makes its members great educators. Don't you want to join our art education home?	Photographer Danielle Pontus What I Love About TAEA: I love how TAEA brings people together no matter age or location! I have so many surrogate family members through TAEA, members that live nowhere near me, but when we meet up, it's as if no time has passed. TAEA is an organization where your voice is heard and where you are supported; and in return, you are able to support and mentor new members. I love my TAEA family!