MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Dr. Mikaela Bachmann
University of North Texas
How did you get into teaching?  
My parents said, “If we’re paying for art 
school, you’re going to also earn the teachers 
certification.” I fell in love with teaching during my 
first art education course with Dr. Ron Aman at 
West Virginia University and have been hooked 
ever since!
What do you love most about teaching art? 
I love the freedom. Any topic can be explored 
through artmaking and creative thought. Although 
there are standards, we and our students are 
not confined to narrow concepts. I also love that 
there are no right answers, that art education is 
more about exploration than conformation. 
What is your favorite medium to work with?
I am a woodworker alongside my husband. I love 
designing, building, and finishing pieces that 
bring a little character to others’ homes. I also 
enjoy crochet and painting from time to time. I 
dabble in a lot of things. 
Who is your favorite artist
I identify a lot with Mary Cassatt, being a female 
artist from Pittsburgh who studied in Philadelphia 
like myself. However, I am also a huge fan of 
Mark Bradford. 
Something others may not know about you?
I am currently writing a book for educators on 
teaching art to neurodiverse students and 
students with disabilities. I’ve spoken on national 
platforms such as the NAEA Webinar Series 
and The Kennedy Center Access/VSA Network 
Webinars on the topic. I’m incredibly passionate 
about making art education accessible and 
inclusive.  
What does it mean to be a TAEA member?
Being a member of TAEA means being a part 
of a community that invests in the future of art 
education. Texas, specifically Keller ISD, gave 
me my first art teacher job when nobody would 
hire a recent graduate. TAEA has allowed me 
to not only grow as an educator but become a 
leader in ways I would have never thought. In this 
organization I was able to be a VASE Regional 
Director for 7 years, and am now stepping into 
a new role as State VASE Director. I’ve been 
able to be a part of different communities such 
as the secondary and higher education divisions 
as I continue in my career. This organization is a 
second family.
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