Professor, Arts Education & Curriculum Studies, Indiana University, Bloomington

Marjorie Cohee Manifold looks at the artistic practices of adolescents in interest-based (fandom) communities and how socioaesthetic interactions of fandom encourage and support development of self-identity, self-acceptance, appreciation of global expressions, and emotional well-being, while honing art learning and making skills. Her authored works include Art Themes: Choices in Art Learning and Making.

Art Educator, Nebinger Elementary
NAEA Elementary Division Director-Elect

Leslie Grace teaches art at Nebinger Elementary in Philadelphia, adjuncts at Moore College of Art and Design, and is the past president of PAEA. She was awarded the PAEA 2016 Elementary Art Educator of the Year award and graduated from the 2019 NAEA School for Art Leaders. In 2022, she was awarded the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching from the School District of Philadelphia.

Turtle Mountain Chippewa
Art Educator
Associate Professor, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Baltimore, MD

Raine Dawn Valentine has taught middle school art for 16 years at Ridgely Middle School in Baltimore County Public Schools in Maryland. She is an adjunct instructor at Notre Dame of Maryland University. Raine is a Connected Arts Network Teacher Leader who has presented at state and national art education conferences. She currently serves on the board of the NAEA Caucus on the Spiritual in Art Education.

Visual Arts Department Chair, Plano Senior High School, Plano, TX

Cristina Correa is the visual arts department chair at Plano Senior High School and central cluster lead art teacher for Plano ISD in Plano, Texas. She holds an MFA in Visual Arts, Latin American Art History, and Mexican American Studies and is a graduate of NAEA’s School for Art Leaders. 

NAEA Research Commission Chair 

Aaron D. Knochel has worked in schools, museums, and community arts programs, both domestically and internationally. Currently, Knochel is an associate professor of art education and affiliated faculty at the Arts & Design Research Incubator (ADRI). 

Knochel is a mixed-methods researcher, curriculum theorist, and artist with interests in transdisciplinary learning, critical social theory, and media arts. His research includes community-based media production, digital visual culture in K–12 art classrooms, and learning in maker cultures. Current funded projects explore generative AI and interdisciplinary intersections on health, care, and creative practice. His published works include articles in Studies in Art Education, Visual Arts Research, and The International Journal of Education through Art. He co-edited Global Media Arts: Mapping Global Perspectives in Media Arts in Education (Palgrave, 2023) and Critical Digital Making in Art Education (Peter Lang, 2020). 

NAEA Research Commissioner 

Connie Stewart is a professor emeritus in art education from the University of Northern Colorado. While teaching Current Issues in Art courses and working with UNC’s graduate program, Stewart’s research activities include critical art theory applied to art education, and utilizing contemporary art in the classroom. She is the author of Teaching Contemporary with Young People: Themes in Art for K–12 Classrooms (2021) with Julia Marshall and Anne and Cultivating Critical Conversations in Art Education: Honoring Student Voice, Identity, and Agency (2024) with Lisa Hochtritt, Eli Burke, and Toya Northington both published by Teachers College Press. Stewart holds a BA in Elementary Education (UNC 74), an MA in Visual Arts with an emphasis in Drawing (UNC 94) and a PhD in Educational Leadership/Aesthetic Education (TU&I 05.) 

NAEA Research Commission Working Group Member

As a professional arts educator for 33 years and a lover of photography all her life, Jennifer Fox holds a BA in Studio Art, a BFA in Art Education, and an MEd in Art Education. She has taught K–12 Visual Art, Gifted and Talented, AP Studio Art, AP Art History, and High School Drama. She has served as a visual arts instructor, drama instructor, yearbook advisor, department head, assistant band director, museum instructor, new teacher evaluator, and district lead high school art teacher. After retiring from the SC public school system in 2020, she served as an adjunct instructor and clinical supervisor for art education field experiences on the collegiate level, SCAEA board representative for secondary and preservice, and NAEA PLR committee member-at-large. As such, she facilitated state and national conference presentations. In 2022, she was the recipient of SCAEA’s Dr. Deborah Smith Hoffman Mentor-of-the-Year Award. Having taught visual arts on every level, her students' work has won awards on local, state, and national levels. As a fine arts photographer, her work has been featured in various venues and held in private collections. 

CAN Teacher Leader

Since graduating from the University of Michigan–Flint in 2004 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Art Education, Janine Campbell has been engaging students with innovative practices in the classroom. Her students' work has been featured in Davis Publications' Media Arts book, SchoolArts magazine and the MACUL Journal. She has been a featured session speaker for the Association of Middle Level Educators Annual Conference, a Cultivating a Calling keynote for ECET2, a keynote presenter for the Art Education Association of Indiana Conference, the Ohio Art Education Association Conference, as well as presenter for the National Art Education Conference, Illinois Art Education Association Conference, Florida League of Middle Schools, Michigan Art Education Association Annual Conference, the Michigan Association of Computer Users in Learning, and local educational institutions. Her classroom has won local and national recognition in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. She was named a PBS Learning Media Digital Innovator in 2014, Michigan Art Education Association Middle Level Educator of the Year in 2015, National Art Education Association Western Region Middle Level Educator of the Year in 2015, and received the MACUL Innovative Teacher of the Year Award in 2020. In addition to the work with students in her classroom, Janine is currently serving as a National Art Education Association Connected Arts Network Professional Learning Community Leader. You can follow her work on @campbellartsoup and find resources at www.bcwmsart.weebly.com. 

CAN Teacher Leader 

Frank Juárez is an award-winning art educator, artist, publisher, former gallery director, and business of art coach who lives and works in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Juárez brings over two decades of art education and arts management experience, organizing local and regional art exhibitions and community art events. He presents on art education at the local and national levels. He is the National Art Education Foundation Chair-Elect, Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass Board of Directors, and Connected Arts Network (CAN) National Teacher Leader. Through his professional work, he supports artists through grant programs and leads professional development workshops for artists. This has placed him at the forefront of promoting Wisconsin artists, networking, and attracting regional and national artists to collaborate and exhibit in Wisconsin. 

CAN Teacher Leader

As a dedicated visual arts educator since 2004, Leslie Grace has been fostering creativity and engagement in students throughout her career. She has been teaching at Nebinger Elementary School in Philadelphia since 2014, where she continues to inspire young artists. Grace is also the Elementary Division Chair-Elect for the National Art Education Association (NAEA), and she will assume her the role at the 2025 NAEA Convention. Since 2022, she has been a Connected Arts Network (CAN) Teacher Leader, and she is a 2019 graducate of NAEA’s School for Art Leaders. Grace is committed to advancing arts education leadership and innovation, and in addition to her teaching, she has held influential roles within the arts education community. She has served as President of the Pennsylvania Art Education Association from 2020–2022 and in 2014 she founded the Philadelphia Art Teachers Alliance, a professional network dedicated to supporting and connecting art educators across the city. To help shape the preparation of future educators, Grace also serves on the Moore College of Art and Design Advisory Board for their art education program. 

Student Teacher Supervisor, Purdue University
Former NAEA Chief Learning Officer, School Principal, and Art Educator

Dennis Inhulsen is a Purdue University student teacher supervisor for art education, Dennis recently retired as Chief Learning Officer for the National Art Education Association. Dennis was an elementary principal and art educator for 35 years. Dennis taught art for all ages. He is Past President, Vice President, and Convention chair for NAEA, also serving as president of the Michigan Art Education Association. Dennis is a frequent workshop presenter and served as visual arts writing chair with the National Coalition of Core Art Standards (NCCAS) and was a member of the NCCAS Leadership Team representing all art forms.

Principal, Perpich Arts High School

Rebecca Bullen is the principal at Perpich Arts High School in Minnesota. She has served as a media and visual arts teacher, arts ed specialist, department chair, and assistant principal. She has presented at Art Educators of Minnesota, Arts Schools Network, and at NAEA Conventions.

Education Marketing Manager, Wacom 

Michele Dick is an educator first and foremost, and she brings her unique skills and experiences as classroom teacher, technology specialist, and digital learning coordinator with Evergreen Public Schools in Vancouver, WA, to her role at Wacom. A sought-after conference speaker, professional learning expert, and innovator in integrating digital ink technologies into creative and core curriculum instruction, Michele provides essential support, expertise, and creativity into her role helping educators tap the power of digital pen and display technologies in their teaching practices.   

Undergraduate Art Education Student, Miami University 

Reilly Powers is an undergraduate senior at Miami University majoring in art education with a minor in studio arts. She currently works as a substitute teacher, as well as Miami University's Art Museum. Reilly serves as the Western Region representative for the Preservice Division and she is also the Preservice representative for NAEA's Advocacy Committee. Reilly will begin her final student teaching placement at the end of January with both a high school and elementary placement.

Assistant Professor, University of Northern Colorado 

Abi Paytoe Gbayee is an assistant professor at the University of Northern Colorado. Abi spent 18 years in the classroom before moving into higher education. She has a BA in art education, an MA in educational leadership, and a PhD in curriculum and instruction—all from the University of Wyoming.  

Abi currently serves as the NAEA Pacific Region Vice President, she is a leader with TAB Colorado, and she is also a cohost of the TAB Storytellers podcast and the Building Better Burgers podcast. She also offers consulting for curriculum and standards, and she is also a content creator on several social media platforms in her spare time. Abi is passionate about art education, art educators, and helping students discover themselves as artists. 

Beyond the classroom and art education, Abi loves working on her house, road tripping, paddle boarding, and spending time with her two amazing kids. 

Elementary Art Teacher, Plano Independent School District 

Joseph Boatfield is an enthusiastic artist and art educator in the Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) area. Throughout his career, he has gained invaluable experiences from working with students of various age groups and settings. He began his journey facilitating community outreach experiences for the Dallas Museum of Art in underserved areas of the city, and he now teaches elementary art in Plano, Texas. 

Mural Arts Philadelphia, Senior Director of Learning & Practice, Philadelphia, PA

Netanel Portier, with Mural Arts Philadelphia since 2009, joined its executive team in 2023 and launched the Mural Arts Institute in 2017, sharing Mural Arts’s learnings with other change-making leaders across the globe. Devoted to peer learning and community-centered cultural practices, Netanel enjoys bringing together diverse artists and communities through socially engaged public art practices.

Artist, Mending Walls, Richmond, VA

Hamilton Glass’s career as an artist stems from his architecture and design background. After working in architecture for 7 years, his passion for public art took over. As a Philadelphia native, public art has always been a big influence and inspiration to Hamilton because of its power to influence and inspire the surrounding community. Using his background in architecture, he creates images that reference architectural drafting practices, represented in the pieces’ sharp lines, scale, and balance. One of the things he enjoys most is creating multilayered projects that amplify many voices. 

Visual Artist, Raleigh, NC

Visual artist Alexa Eliana started from small-scale illustrations and has expanded to large-scale murals over the past decade. Her murals showcase vivid colors, patterns, and animals, influenced by her Latinx heritage. Viewers can enjoy her artwork throughout her home state of North Carolina and see how she mixes realistic portrayals with illustrative design. Mural projects and interactive workshops that promote communal participation have become her new, growing passion: collaborative pieces that celebrate the community and are by the community. Her goal with her art is to engage, educate, and empower all types of people in different walks of life.

Director of Learning and Visitor Experiences at Southern Utah Museum of Art at Southern Utah University

Jason Moodie has been an educator for nearly 30 years in public, private, and not-for-profit organizations. He has presented at national and state conferences on a variety of topics. His artwork consists of experimental and historical photographic processes and fashion design. He has been known to upcycle clothing found at thrift stores into colorful creations worn as his professional attire.

Assistant Vice President for Transfer Student Success & Partnerships 
University of North Carolina System

Eric Fotheringham serves as assistant vice president for transfer student success and partnerships for the University of North Carolina System. In this role, he serves as project director for transfer success and adult-learner initiatives, including expanding transfer partnerships, reenrolling adult learners, and drafting policies that support student access and success.

Doctoral Candidate; State Director of Student Success
North Carolina Community College System

Michelle Lair is a North Carolina native who has spent over 25 years working in education. Expanding access and increasing success for students is what Michelle seeks to do in her work at the North Carolina Community College System Office. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts from North Carolina State University and a Master of Arts from West Virginia University, and she is currently a doctoral candidate at West Virginia University.

Program Chair AFA Visual Arts; Art Instructor
Cape Fear Community College 

Richard Conn is a full-time art instructor at Cape Fear Community College since 2012. Richard was also the AFA program chair for visual arts at Cape Fear Community College from 2019 to 2024 and the gallery coordinator for Wilma W. Daniels Art Gallery on Cape Fear’s campus, 2012–2019.

Elementary Art Resource Teacher, Fairfax County Public Schools

Using art and conversation as “mirrors and windows'' to see ourselves and others, Libya Doman designs and delivers curriculums, workshops, and keynotes to help educators grapple with topics often deemed “taboo.”  Libya has worked with schools, universities, museums, boards, and teams to them notice inequities and disrupt the status quo.  Presentation focuses include--but are not limited to--race, gender, orientation, (dis)abilities, language, SES, and 'othered' populations.  Libya has taught art in elementary and secondary schools.  She currently serves as a visual art administrator in Fairfax County Public Schools.

Director of Programming, Artists Working in Education

Brett Henzig is the Director of Programming at Artists Working in Education, A.W.E., a Milwaukee non-profit community arts organization bringing arts enrichment activities directly to youth through mobile art and residency programs. Brett began working in arts education as a teaching assistant while still in high school. Since then he has held many art making, teaching, and art administrative positions in Greater Milwaukee, most recently as Educator of Youth & Family Programs at the Milwaukee Art Museum. Prior to MAM Brett was the Assistant Director of Admissions at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design and taught courses in their Pre-College and Continuing Education programs. He has a passion for recognizing and fostering creativity in everyone, artist and non-artist alike, and creating equitable access to the arts for all, emphasizing the benefits of art engagement for all ages. Brett is active in the National Art Education Association and is a graduate of their School for Art Leaders program. Brett holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in sculpture from the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design and is an exhibiting artist working in both traditional and non-traditional media, including video, sound, and installation.