Connected Arts Networks (CAN)

CAN Teacher Leaders

Meet the Connected Arts Networks (CAN) Teacher Leaders

NAEA is pleased to announce the Connected Arts Networks (CAN) Visual Art Teacher Leaders. This group of art educators will serve as NAEA’s first Professional Learning Community (PLC) in this nationwide project focusing on integrating Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Social-Emotional Learning in public school classrooms. The group is comprised of elementary, middle, and high school visual arts educators from across the nation, representing diverse school communities. After a year of teacher leadership training, each educator will lead their own PLC in the 2023-2024 school year.

EdTA Teacher Leaders

NAfME Teacher Leaders

NDEO Teacher Leaders

NAEA Teacher Leaders:

  • Amber Arnold

    Fine Arts Instructional Coach, Gwinnett County Public Schools, Suwanee, GA

  • Janine Campbell

    Visual Arts Teacher, Byron Center Public Schools, Byron Center, MI

  • Heather de Koning Foley

    Visual Arts & Design Teacher, P.S. 132K The Conselyea School, Brooklyn, NY

  • Cassie Garrity

    High School Art Teacher, Central DeWitt High School, DeWitt, IA

  • Leslie Grace

    Arts Department Chair, Nebinger Elementary School; PAEA President (10/20-10/22) & Past-President (10/22-10/24), Philadelphia, PA

  • Matthew Grundler

    6-8th Grade Art Techer, Plano Independent School District, Plano, TX

  • Rachael Harrison

    Visual Arts Director, El Sol Science & Art Academy, Santa Ana, CA

  • Melissa Hronkin

    Art Educator, Houghton Elementary School, Houghton, MI

  • Frank Juárez

    Art Department Chair, Sheboygan North High School, Sheboygan, WI

  • Lidia Menniti

    Middle School Visual Arts Model Teacher, M.S. 137Q America’s School of Heroes, Ozone Park, NY

  • Hilary Morefield

    Visual/Media Arts Teacher, Ventura Unified School District, Ventura, CA

  • Tim Needles

    Art and Media Teacher/Technology Integration Specialist, Smithtown School District, Smithtown, NY

  • Gayle Nicholls-Ali

    CTE Teacher, La Cañada Unified High School / Arts, Media & Entertainment Sector, Altadena, CA

  • Kimberly Olson

    Elementary Art Education Teacher, PK-2, Centre School, Hampton, NH

  • Ann Ossey

    Visual Arts Teacher, Wauconda High School, District 118, Wauconda, IL

  • Chay L. Ross

    VAPA Instructional Lead, Digital Media & Visual Arts Teacher, Alliance Cindy & Bill Simon Technology Academy High School, Los Angeles, CA

  • Raine Valentine

    Middle School Art Educator, Baltimore County, MD

Program activities for this project are fully funded through the U.S. Department of Education’s Assistance for Arts Education Program for a total of five years.

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