TAEA Leadership

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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)
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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
	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 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.

LIAISONS
	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?
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 What I Love About TAEA: I love that I am part of a community of passionate, driven, and innovative art educators. Being able to collaborate with and get encouragement from each other makes me better at what I do.	Elementary Division Elect Kelley Quinn McGee Division Info
	Middle School Jr High Division Sara Massey Division Info What I Love About TAEA: Being connected to a community of fellow Art Educators. This is not an organization that is on paper. It is active, creative, and very present. I am amazed at the constant motivation and innovation of all members and am excited to be a part of this association.	Middle School Jr High Division Elect Isaac Thomas Division Info What I Love About TAEA: I look forward every year to meeting other art educators who inspire, share ideas and experiences. The support given to art educators is amazing. Everyone is open to sharing advocacy ideas, ways to strengthen what we already do or improve areas we might feel weak in. It's exciting to learn new perspectives from educators from all over the state. The bonds created around a passion for art is so energizing and makes me excited for conference every year.
	High School Division Sarah Pagona Division Info What I Love About TAEA: I love that TAEA brings together passionate and creative teachers, gives them tools for improving instruction, opportunities for leadership development, and events for their students to shine, all while still conducting business like a family! Through art we are building a better future!	High School Division Elect Christopher Weeden Division Info What I Love About TAEA: What I love the most about TAEA is how it is an organization that is built on advocacy: Advocating for students, teachers, and the importance and value of the visual arts in education in Texas. I've met some of the best people through TAEA that have mentored me, supported me, and helped me grow into a better educator through collaboration and continued learning. I look forward to continuing the tradition!
	Higher Education Division Kathie Walker-Millar Division Info	Higher Education Division Elect Lilia Cabrera Division Info What I Love About TAEA: I love that TAEA offers opportunities for the art educator from all levels. The many committees within the organization allow artists to network with members from different regions throughout Texas, which in turn become much greater collaborations. TAEA offers opportunities for growth within the organization, as well. The detail that's enhanced my art teaching career the most, has been the lifelong friendships that I have built due to my involvement in TAEA. There is always room for growth and opportunity in our careers, and TAEA helps with these goals.
	Student Division Kaitlyn Roberts Division Info What I Love About TAEA: I love that I am part of TAEA because it's a positive community of art educators that are all about their students. It provides a place for future, current, and past teachers to help each other in the world of education. I love that it has allowed me to connect with other people that are studying to be teachers and allows us to have open conversations on how to prepare for our future classrooms.	Supervision / Administration Division Stacia Gower Division Info What I Love About TAEA: TAEA is my go to resource for research, information, support, and inspiration. When I was in the classroom I was the "Lone Ranger" most of the time, and it was my TAEA cohorts and the fall conferences that connected me to a state-wide net of like minded educators. As an arts administrator I continually look to my TAEA cohorts for information, support, and guidance. Truly, I LOVE everything about our professional organization!
	Supervision / Administration Division Elect Sandra Schorr-Newton Division Info What I Love About TAEA: I love that TAEA is a supportive, passionate, intelligent, professional, insightful, hard-working, knowledgeable, collaborative, energetic, and innovative network of incredible people that make us all better educators, administrators, and artists. Thank you TAEA! I am so thankful to be a part of this amazing professional organization.	Museum Division Denise Gonzalez Division Info What I Love About TAEA: I love that I can recommend TAEA as a reputable source for best practices and trends in our field for students, teachers, and museum educators. As a museum educator, I value the collaborative nature between educators of all types!
	Museum Division Elect Kathryn Mitchell Division Info What I Love About TAEA: I have learned from sessions and gotten lots of ideas from attending them, but it is hard to top getting to be around so many great art educators. I love the friendships and support you get from colleagues at TAEA.	Retired Art Educators Division Robert W Parker 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	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	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.	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 What I Love About TAEA: It's a great platform for art education to help us advance visual arts for all students, educators, and community. It's also a great resource for research, networking, and camaraderie. The vivacious support system with endless opportunity is something all members should take advantage of. I am proud to be a TAEA Member.	Region 2 Representative Alejandra Pena Region Info What I Love About TAEA: TAEA gives its members the opportunity to build a professional network of colleague who share the same passion for art education. As we learn from each other we become stronger advocates for our art students and programs in our schools.
	Region 3 Representative Jamie Sainz Region Info What I Love About TAEA: The ability to network with other art educators across the state through TAEA. Everyone is so helpful, supportive and willing to share ideas with each other. It is a wonderful support system for all art educators. TAEA brings opportunities to our students that they would not otherwise have. Our students have thrived as they while trying to achieve one of the sought after State VASE Spots.	Region 4 Representative Sarah Hartman Region Info What I Love About TAEA: The connections and relationships built with art educators through TAEA. This is an invaluable resource for all art educators that encourages personal and professional growth!
	Region 5 Representative Kelsey Thibodeaux Region Info	Region 6 Representative Lisa L. Miller Region Info What I Love About TAEA: For the past 18 years TAEA has provided me with an instant "Tribe" or pack of like-minded individuals who support me through the best of times and the worst of times. They "get" my stories about life in the classroom because they are in the same classroom; just in a different location. Being the only art teacher in my district was difficult until I discovered TAEA because that supportive network was missing, and I am thankful on a daily, and sometimes hourly basis for the existence of TAEA and the wonderful folks who created the organization and continue to help it grow and flourish.
	Region 7 Representative Jennifer Vaughn Region Info What I Love About TAEA: Through principal changes, school changes, and even TEK changes, TAEA has remained one of the few constants in my career. As a brand-new baby teacher, TAEA was there with new ideas, classroom management strategies, and a group of people who understood my struggles and successes. As I grow in my career, TAEA is there encouraging me with leadership retreats, volunteer opportunities, and a chance to represent other art teachers. I am forever grateful to TAEA and its amazing educators who teach, love, and empower the arts.	Region 8 Representative Debbie Nicholas Region Info 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.
	Region 9 Representative Christie Andrews Region Info What I Love About TAEA: The things I value most about TAEA are the connections I make with other art educators in our state and the opportunities TAEA provides for my students. Through my new connections, I am encouraged, refreshed, aware, taught . . . all things that in turn allow me to develop as an educator. My students have grown and thrived as they work towards a coveted State VASE spot each year. I love watching them set goals, challenge themselves, and gain confidence.	Region 10 Representative Ryan Rimmer Region Info What I Love About TAEA: The opportunity that TAEA gives for all of us to instantly connect to a large network of fellow art educators. The collaboration, support, motivation, and inspiration that everyone provides is an invaluable resource for all of us.
	Region 11 Representative Dallas Williams Region Info What I Love About TAEA: I love everything about TAEA. Art education has always been my heart and soul, and through TAEA I have been able to feed my soul with art-minded friends and artistic events. I have been able to use the resources they provide to help my students and colleagues grow and explore. I hope to use my time as Region 11 Representative to set up even more opportunities for creative interactions amongst us.	Region 12 Representative Shawn Knuckles Region Info What I Love About TAEA: I love picking out new sessions to go and experience at conference. I love new ideas and the excitement that all the teachers have meeting each other. I love sharing ideas with other art teachers around Texas.
	Region 13 Representative Amber Forgey Region Info What I Love About TAEA: I love that TAEA has a long successful history of uniting passionate art educators. I love that my art teacher was an integral part of TAEA and I saw her model that advocacy during my high school career and once I became an art educator, I continued to watch her lead the way. I appreciate that TAEA offers a place for educators to hone their craft both artistically and as an educator. That place might be VASE, Jr. VASE, or TEAM. It might be at the annual conference or through YAM activities or leadership roles but there is always someone with more knowledge, expertise, or seasoning that is available to help me become a top art educator. TAEA is a great source of inspiration in my professional life.	Region 14 Representative Brady Sloane Region Info What I Love About TAEA: I love that TAEA supports art educators in a wide range of environments: public schools, private schools, museum educators, and more — from pre-service or the first year of their career to beyond retirement. TAEA offers a variety of ways for its members to engage their students and schools with meaningful lessons, programming, and events. I always look forward to the annual conference. Each year I am encouraged and energized by fellow art educators, always returning to my students with innovative ideas to incorporate into my classroom.
	Region 16 Representative Adrienne Hurtt Region Info What I Love About TAEA: What I love the most about TAEA is COMMUNITY! I have met so many amazing people from all over the state who are willing to collaborate, share ideas and resources, and who are passionate advocates for visual art in our schools. Collaborating with other art educators throughout the state makes us all better equipped to bring back new ideas and innovation to our home districts and campuses. I'm so excited to be part of such a dynamic and forward-looking organization.	Region 17 Representative Donna Webb Region Info
	Region 20 Representative Ambra Hernandez Region Info What I Love About TAEA: The opportunities that TAEA provides for professional development, advocacy for art education in the community, and continuous support of fellow art teachers. I look forward to conference every year because it sparks creative ideas to take back to the classroom and renews my love for what I do to help students foster imagination, creativity, and their passion for the visual arts.
LOCAL ART EDUCATION ASSOCIATIONS
	Brazos Valley AEA 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.	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!