NAEA Open Studio Conversation: Action Research for Resiliency; A Panel discussion With Members of the Research Commission and Connected Arts Networks Teacher 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.