Charles Aguillon
Charles Aguillon is the Associate Principal for Teaching and Learning at Georgetown East View High School. During his 16 years in Georgetown, Mr. Aguillon has also held the positions of middle school band director, assistant high school band director, Director of Bands for Georgetown High School, and Director of Fine Arts for the Georgetown ISD. Prior to coming to Georgetown, Mr. Aguillon was a band director for San Marcos CISD. Ensembles under his direction have appeared at the Texas State Marching Band Contest and the Bands of America National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Mr. Aguillon is active in the field of teaching and learning and collaborates frequently with many organizations such as the Texas Education Agency, Center for Educator Development in Fine Arts (CEDFA), Resources for Learning, Texas Cultural Trust, Texas Association for Secondary School Principals, and the Texas Association of School Administrators to present staff developments and innovative curriculum projects for students.
As a community organizer, Mr. Aguillon has served as Chair for the City of Georgetown Arts and Culture Board, President of the Georgetown Symphony Society, and board member for Georgetown Art Works. He is presently on the Georgetown Library Advisory Board and on the board for the University of Texas Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa. Mr. Aguillon was proud to have served as President for Region 18 and Region 26 of the Texas Music Educators Association.
Mr. Aguillon holds the Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music Education from Texas State University-San Marcos as well as a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from the University of Phoenix where he is completing his doctorate in Educational Leadership.
Megan Alrutz
Megan Alrutz recently joined the faculty at The University of Texas at Austin, where she teaches courses in applied theatre, theatre for social change, and digital storytelling. Previously, she was on the faculty of the University of Central Florida where she led the MFA program in Theatre for Young Audiences for five years. Her creative and scholarly interests focus on applied theatre and theatre for young audiences - including school-based, arts-integration; applied performance in non-traditional sites; devising and directing theatre and digital storytelling to explore issues of voice and identity; and developing new work that challenges and inspires dialogue. Megan works nationally as a facilitator for professional development in arts education and drama-based pedagogy, and was the founding director of ArtsBridge/UCF and Digital U, two Orlando-based applied arts/media programs for youth. Megan earned her Ph.D. from Arizona State University where she focused on drama-based pedagogy for middle school science education.
Daniel Arredondo
Daniel Arredondo is choir director at Lehman High School in Kyle, Texas and has taught there for eight years. During his teaching career, he has built the Title 1 program from a single choir to a four choirs that took sweepstakes at the UIL Concert and Sight-reading competition. Mr. Arredondo attended Westminster Choir College and earned his undergraduate degree in music education. He also holds a master's degree in choral conducting from Texas State University where he also earned his O.A.K.E endorsed Kodály certificate. Recently, he has recently accepted to the doctoral program for choral conducting at the University of Texas. Expanding his education in a global respect, he traveled to Hungary last summer to study at the Kodály Institute in Kecscemét. Here he was accepted into the esteemed international conducting seminar with conductor, Peter Erdei. This summer Mr. Arredondo will teach graduate courses at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. Continuing to perform, he is a member of the Conspirare Chamber Choir that has been nominated for several Grammy awards.
Patricia Barry
Pat Barry is the art instructor for Lamkin Elementary School in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD northwest Houston. Her first 20 years were immersed in the writing/reading process as a third, fifth, and gifted/talented instructor for Lewisville ISD and Spring ISD. During her last five years in Spring ISD, she successfully piloted the first elementary art specialist position at Hirsch Elementary. While in Spring, she was named campus Teacher of the Year three times, and district Teacher of the Year twice. After ten years away from education in private business, Pat returned to art education in October 2005 in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD at Fiest Elementary, where she was Spotlight Teacher of the Year in her first full teaching year. In her personal art, Pat is currently working with patina-ed metals and handmade papers in sculpting. She lives with her husband and dog, Ginger, in Houston.
Elizabeth Chappell
Elizabeth Chappell is a teacher, parent, and graduate of the Austin Independent School District (AISD) and a native Austinite. She is currently the orchestra director at Lamar Middle School and Fine Arts Academy and has taught in AISD since 1995. Ms. Chappell maintains a small private violin and viola lesson studio and conducts the Intermezzo Orchestra of the Austin Youth Orchestra program.
Ms. Chappell holds a degree in Music Therapy from the University of Kansas, a Master's degree in Music Education from The University of Texas at Austin, and is currently a doctoral candidate in Music and Human Learning at The University of Texas at Austin. She is also a certified Suzuki instructor. Ms. Chappell's main instruments are violin and viola and she has performed in various ensembles, including a mariachi band.
Frank Coachman
Frank Coachman assumed the duties of Deputy Director for the Texas Music Educators Association in July 1999. For the previous 22 years, Coachman served the music education profession in the Killeen I.S.D. For 18 years he served as Director of Bands for C.E. Ellison High School in the Killeen I.S.D. Under his direction the organization consistently received UIL Sweepstakes Awards and music festival awards. Prior to his service as Director of Bands, Coachman served as Ellison's Associate Director of Bands from 1979-1981 and as Director of Bands for Nolan Junior High from 1978-79.
Coachman is a Past President of TMEA and also served as State Band Vice-President from '90-92, Region Band Chair from '83-90 and Region Jazz Chair from '81-84. He was TCME President from '97-99 and has served on numerous TMEA, TMAA, TCME, and TCQAE Boards and Committees. He is also a member of the CEDFA Cadre having served as a clinician for multiple Summits. He attended Texas Tech University and graduated from McMurry University with a B.F.A., Music Education degree. Coachman has been serving as facilitator for the TMEA/TMAC Music Assessment Project since its beginnings in 2004.
Jennifer Dawson
Jennifer Dawson just finished her eleventh year of teachcing at James Bowie High School and her seventh year as director of the award-winning Silver Stars. After serving as a Silver Stars First Lieutenant as a student at Bowie, she attended Kilgore Junior College, performing with the world-renowned Rangerettes. There she served as Head Swingster (specialty jazz company) of her class and as a Rangerette Lieutenant. As a Rangerette, she performed at the Fiesta Bowl Parade in Tempe, Arizona, at Carnival in Nice, France, and at the Governor's Ball for then-Governor George W. Bush. Jennifer attended and graduated from Oklahoma City University (OCU) with a Bachelor of Science in dance Management. She was selected to choreograph the OCU Pep Dancers. She was co-creator of the non-profit dance company named Dance Diversity. Jennifer has studied with the finest dance instructors in Texas, Oklahoma, New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. She has worked on staff with Mike Miller & Associates at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, served on the Board of Directors for The Kilgore College Rangerettes Forever, and volunteered for the Executive Board of the Texas Dance Educators Association. Currently Jennifer serves as a Leadership Workshop Presenter and Dance Instructor for Encore Creative Productions. She is President Elect for the Texas Dance Educators Association. Jennifer is blessed to share her life with her supportive husband Mark. They are both proud parents to their beautiful daughters, Sophia and Grace.
Jackie Demontmollin
is entering her 20th year as a theatre educator. Originally from Wisconsin, Jackie moved to Texas to teach theatre in 1992. She taught in various districts around the state for fifteen years. She has directed more than 60 productions including Tommy Tune Award winning musicals and four State qualifying One Act Plays. She holds an M.Ed. in Educational Administration from Concordia University. Currently in her fifth year at The University of Houston School of Theatre & Dance, Jackie administers and teaches in The Summer MA program for Theatre Educators, is head of the BFA in Theatre Education, and teaches acting. She has coordinated work for the Summer Master of Arts with The Acting Studio Chicago, Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts London, Lincoln Center Theatre New York and is currently in coordinating coursework in collaboration with Steppenwolf Chicago. Jackie also teaches Arts Integration Across the Curriculum at The University of St. Thomas, Houston. She serves on the Board of Directors for Karen Stokes Dance and on the Education & Community Outreach Committee for Society of Performing Arts Houston. Jackie has provided professional development in several districts in both teaching acting/auditioning methods and portfolio production. She is also an active UIL OAP adjudicator and clinician. Jackie is married to Aaron Layman and is the proud mother of two precious boys, Aidan and Yubin.
Beverly Dunn
Beverly Dunn (MT-BC) is a board certified music therapist, with a music therapy degree from University of the Incarnate Word. She has been with Accessible Arts program for over 10 years working with students in elementary, middle, and high schools.
During her career, she has worked in nursing homes, with young adults at Marnie Paul Arts Center, at The Children's Hospital, the Down Syndrome Saturday morning Program, and with individuals in their homes.
Currently, she works for Accessible Arts through VSA, at Capitol School of Austin (a private school for children with communication disorders and Autism), and individuals through private practice.
Beverly's ultimate goal is to help each individual achieve significant improvement in targeted areas, using music as a catalyst. Implementing a session with a structured format, instrument play, pictorials, dance, and singing, she offers many opportunities for individual expression and group interaction.
Cheryl Evans
Cheryl Evans is a University of Houston-Clear Lake alumna who received her Master's Degree in Humanities in 1982. She is an art educator who has taught for 33 years on the junior high, high school, and college levels. She was named 2006 Teacher of the Year for Goose Creek ISD, honored as a Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year, and received the Amegy Bank of Texas Teaching Excellence Award. She was named Texas High School Art Educator of the Year in 2003, and was awarded a lifetime achievement award in 2005 by the Texas Art Education Association and was inducted into the TAEA Fellows. In 2007, she received the Leadership Service Award for her work at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, where she is on the adjunct faculty teaching drawing. She also teaches in the Community Bridge program and the Special Topics for Teachers Program at the Museum of Fine Arts-Houston Glassell School of Art. Cheryl is a contributing author of the state adopted art textbook, Art Talk. She serves on the UHCL Art Task Force and is a member of the Board of Directors for The Arts Alliance Center of Clear Lake. Cheryl is active in the Texas Art Education Association, serving as Past President and Workshop Chairman for the State Visual Art Scholastic Event. She conducts inservice sessions for school districts across the state. She is a watercolorist, and holds signature status in the Watercolor Art Society of Houston. She serves as a visiting juror and conducts painting workshops statewide. Cheryl has had several one-woman shows and her work is in numerous collections across the country.
Joan Finn
Joan Finn is the Fine Arts Liaison for La Marque ISD, the Fine Arts Department Chair & Visual Art Instructor at La Marque High School. She was a 2011 Co-Chair for the TAEA 50th Conference in Galveston, Texas. Ms. Finn has taught for 20 years in the public, private, and DODDS school systems. She has operated her own business, Freelance Inc., since the age of 15, working as a freelance artist in Philadelphia, PA, Alaska, Germany, and since 1990, in Texas. A 1995 graduate of The University of Houston, she has a BS in Secondary Education, with dual certification in Art, & History. She is on the Board of The Galveston Art Center. She is a Print and Ceramic Artist. She lives in Galveston with her husband and two children.
Amy Guadagnoli
Amy Guadagnoli is the Director of Creative Services at Resources for Learning. As part of the CEDFA summit planning team, Ms. Guadagnoli has designed and produced logos, event programs, and marketing materials for the statewide summit, along with artwork and conceptual designs for summit content modules. She has also recently served as project manager for the Texas Education Agency's Equity in Gifted/Talented Education Bilingual Toolkit and as designer/developer for ESC Region XIII's Research Skills for G/T Teachers online game. Her work for the Texas Performance Standards Project received an Award of Excellence from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) in 2008. Additionally, designs for the Texas Education Agency's Middle School Program for AP Spanish won Awards of Merit from NSPRA in 2007.
Prior to joining RFL, Ms. Guadagnoli served as a Visual Arts Instructor for an award-winning program through the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department, Printmaking Technician at Colorado College, and Artist-in-Residence at Park Hill Elementary School in Denver, Colorado. She is a practicing visual artist, specializing in color woodblock prints that have been exhibited throughout Texas and Colorado.
Ms. Guadagnoli received a BFA in Studio Art, Summa Cum Laude, from the University of Denver in 1997. Additionally, she attained Webmaster Certification in System/Application Programming and Design/Media from Austin Community College in 2002. Most recently Ms. Guadagnoli completed the Principles of Marketing certificate program through the University of Texas at Austin's Professional Development Center. Ms. Guadagnoli is a member of the American Institute of Graphic Arts and the Women Printmakers of Austin.
Celia Hughes
Celia Hughes is the Executive Director of VSA Texas, the state organization on arts and disability. She has over 30 years experience working in the arts as teacher, producer, artist and administrator and has worked alongside people with diverse disabilities for over 25 years. Through her tenure, she has developed diverse arts programs including All Kids Can, artist residencies in special education classrooms; ArtWorks: Creative Industries, professional development opportunities for emerging artists with disabilities; Actual Lives Austin, theater written and performed by people with disabilities; and Accessible Arts in Schools, expressive arts therapist residencies and teacher trainings. In 2009, VSA Texas opened Access Gallery to showcase the work of professional and emerging artists. In 2000,Ms. Hughes wrote Stop the Violence, Break the Silence, an abuse prevention manual for professionals who serve people with disabilities (published by SafePlace, Austin); and in 2001, she produced "The Art of Audio Description", a video training resource. In 2011, Ms. Hughes participated with the beta testing of an online graduate course by Lesley College in Cambridge, MA on Curriculum Design for Arts Teaching and Learning, promoting the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). She has developed and conducted training workshops for fine arts and general education teachers in Texas for over 13 years, and has worked with CEDFA since 2006 to offer workshops focused on integrating arts in special education and inclusive classrooms.Ms. Hughes is co-founder of the Audio Description Coalition, an international group of individuals dedicated to the professional advancement of audio description in the areas of recreation, employment and culture, and serves on the VSA Affiliate Council at the Kennedy Center. Ms. Hughes holds a Master of Public Affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs, UT Austin and a BA, Speech Pathology from SUNY College at Plattsburgh.
Judy Jennings
Dr. Jennings specializes in interpretation of assessment data, analysis of student-level data, organization of curriculum development projects, and school accountability models. Her current projects include inter-rater reliability analysis and evaluator training for the New Mexico Three-Tiered Licensure program. In addition, she is co-manager of the Rider 42-E Fine Arts Integration Training and Support and the Texas Cultural Trust's Art and Media Communications curriculum development projects. She serves as project manager for RFL's work with Regional Education Service Center XIII on the Texas Performance Standards Project. Dr. Jennings also creates and presents professional development in assessment-related topics for the Center for Educator Development in Fine Arts (CEDFA) conference.
Before coming to RFL, Dr. Jennings was a manager in the Division of Performance-Based Monitoring for the Texas Education Agency. There she assisted in the publication of district-level performance monitoring reports, developed performance indicators, and analyzed and interpreted data. Prior to working at TEA, Dr. Jennings was project manager for Evaluation Software Publishing where she managed web-based access to accountability data for teachers and administrators in school districts. She has also been a researcher at the University of Texas Measurement and Evaluation Center where she assisted with data analysis using SAS and SPSS software.
Dr. Jennings earned a PhD in educational psychology in the area of psychometrics and statistics at the University of Texas at Austin in May 2006. Her expertise includes assessment strategies, statistical techniques, and standard setting.
Gladys Keeton
Professor of Dance, at Texas Woman's University, joined the faculty in 1969 after teaching at Memphis State University and the University of Tennessee-Martin. Her degrees were earned at Northwestern State University in Louisiana. She is Director of the Dance Education Major program, has been Director of the TWU Modern Dance Company that toured in the states as well as in Brazil in 1977 and is also founder, artistic director, and performer with the TWU International Dance Company that performs throughout Texas and at National Conventions. Contributions to dance education are made through leadership in state, regional, and national organizations including President of the Dance Divisions of the Texas AHPERD and the Southern District AHPERD as well as being selected as a charter member of the Texas Center for Educator Development in Fine Arts Cadre and the Texas Education Agency Fine Arts Advisory Panel. She conducts Arts Integration workshops for teachers and students in Texas schools through the Artist-In-Education program, Texas Commission for the Arts and her recognition includes the TAHPERD and the Southern District AAHPERD Outstanding University Dance Educator and Honor Awards and the Texas Dance Educator's Association Hall of Fame Award in addition to University and community Awards. Gladys is currently President of the National Dance Association.
Bobby Malone
Bobby Malone is a 2005 graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater Studies. Bobby transferred to UT from McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas.
Bobby spent the first five years of his professional career in Keller, Texas, where he taught theater at Central High School. While at CHS, his theater department's UIL One Act Play advanced to the State Meet two years in a row, placing 1st Runner Up in 2009.
Before he became a teacher, Bobby worked as a professional actor, dancer, and technician across the state of Texas. He performed in Waco Musical Theater's productions of West Side Story and TAP'N, and as a dancer in the outdoor musical drama TEXAS, in Palo Duro Canyon. He earned several B. Iden Payne Nominations for his work with Second Youth Theater Company, and helped start Gobotrick Theater Company in Austin, Texas.
Bobby is currently working as the theater director at Anderson High School in Austin, Texas.
Dan Massoth
Daniel J. Massoth is a nationally known presenter of music technology curriculum integration techniques, having presented sessions in more than 20 states. At MakeMusic for 8 years, Dan now guides the development of the SmartMusic software and repertoire. With degrees from the University of Minnesota (B.S., M.A.), Dan has taught instrumental music in the Wayazata, Mahtomedi, and Osseo, Minnesota, school districts. He has also served on the executive board of the Minnesota Band Directors Association and served as technology chair for the Minnesota Music Educators Association.
Tracey Mccullick
I've been a professional art therapist since 1998 working with adolescents and adults in group and individual settings. My master's degree in Art Therapy and Creativity Development came from Pratt Institute in New York. My LPC license was earned in 2002.
My work began in correctional facilities with adolescents and through several non-profits, including the Hays/Caldwell Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse in San Marcos, Gardner Betts, the MHMR Journey Program, Meridell Achievement Center and Austin Recovery. I've had a private practice since 2002 and worked with disabled youth groups in Austin schools through the Accessible Arts Program. My background includes the study of human development, psychological theory, clinical practice, spiritual knowledge, multi-cultural and artistic traditions and using art for healing.
Incorporating experiential work with my clients has brought depth of meaning and authenticity to the therapeutic process. I believe in art's capacity to access unconscious material and process disturbing affect quickly and thoroughly. In 2008 I completed both trainings for EMDR, an effective treatment for trauma victims, and in 2009 completed the MARI trainings. Joan Kellogg, a pioneer in art therapy, devised this mandala system of insight based on the teachings of Carl Jung. Currently I'm researching Attachment Theory as presented by Diana Foscha.
Through VSA TX I have been presenting workshops over the last two years to special education teachers, at the Oklahoma Arts Institute in Oklahoma ,in October of 2011, and in Austin, TX. These trainings serve to assist teachers in their work with special needs students, helping them to integrate back into mainstream classrooms using art therapy groups as the framework for growth and change.
Jim Mcdaniel
Jim McDaniel is currently in his 16th year as Executive Director of Fine Arts for the Carrollton/Farmers Branch Independent School District. Prior to this position, Mr. McDaniel taught band at Texas A&M University, Martin High School in Arlington, James Bowie High School in Arlington and Skyline High School in Dallas. Before coming to Carrollton/Farmers Branch he was the Supervisor of Fine Arts for Bryan ISD.
Mr. McDaniel is an active clinician, adjudicator and guest conductor across the state of Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Colorado. He is the conductor of the Carrollton Wind Symphony which performed at the Texas Bandmasters Association Conference in 2010. Jim is the Executive Secretary for UIL Region 24, Past President of the Texas Music Administrators Conference and was named "Outstanding Music Administrator of the Year" for 2010 and was inducted into the Texas Christian University "Band of Fame" in 1996.
McDaniel received his Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music Education both from Texas Christian University and has completed additional work at Texas A&M University along with Principal certification.
The Carrollton/Farmers Branch Independent School District has been recognized for 6 years as one of the "Best Communities for Music Education in America."
McDaniel is serving as Chair of the TMEA/TMAC Music Assessment Project.
Samantha Melvin
Samantha Melvin teaches Art at RJ Richey Elementary in Burnet CISD. She serves as the Elementary Division Chair and as Youth Art Month-VP, elect of the Texas Art Education Association. Active in local, regional, state and national art education initiatives, Samantha also served as Western Region Elementary Division Representative for the National Art Education Association for two years, and currently sits on the Purposes, Principles and Standards for School Art Programs Revision Committee and the NAEA Visual Arts as Core (Platform Writing) Committee. In 2009, Samantha received the Power of Art Award from the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation and the Lab School of Washington and was named TAEA Elementary Art Educator of the Year. A recipient of the PBS Teachers Innovation Award in 2010, she serves as a member of the advisory council for PBS Teachers. In March 2011, Samantha was named Western Region Elementary Art Educator of the Year. She serves as Visual Arts Cadre member for CEDFA, and has presented at CEDFA Summits in 2009, 2010 and 2011. This spring, she was part of the curriculum writing team for TEA's Project Share Initiative, integrating Visual Arts with Math and Science. You can follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/smelvin or email her at artteaches@hotmail.com
Alicia Moore
Alicia Moore is the Visual and Performing Arts Department Chair and lead Art Instructor at Clear Brook High School in Clear Creek ISD, just Southeast of Houston. She graduated from Sam Houston State University with a degree in all levels Art Education and completed graduate work at the University of Florida in Gainesville and the University of Houston-Clear Lake. Alicia has been teaching 32 years with the last 23 at Clear Brook where her duties include teaching, writing curriculum, vertical alignment, elementary enrichment curriculum, and hosting the district Teachers In Studio program. She also has been an active member of the Texas Art Educators Association, working on many committees from the Youth Art Month exhibit, Blue Ribbon Committee, co-coordinating the TAEA State VASE workshops, and as a juror on the Regional level. She has been the High School Division Chair for TAEA and just received the High School Art Educator of the Year from TAEA. She works in clay, metals and watercolor out of her home in League City.
Patricia Moreno
Patricia (Patty) Moreno currently serves Austin ISD as an Instructional Coordinator of Fine Arts where she works with elementary music specialists and secondary choral directors. Patty holds a Bachelor of Music, Master of Music Education, and Kodály certificate from Texas State University. She completed her Principal's Certificate through the Principal Certification Network (PCN) sponsored by Region 13 Education Service Center.
Patty has taught general music for PK - 5th grades and sixth grade choral music for a total of 17 years in the Hays Consolidated I.S.D. She served Hays CISD as the lead music teacher and was the co-founder of the Hays CISD Children's Honor Choir. She has served as the director of the Kodály Certification Program at Texas State University since 1993. As a workshop presenter, her sessions deal with movement, musical games, folk songs, and technology including how to use a smart board and airliner in the music room.
As a grant writer, Patty has received grants at the district and national level including two grants from the U.S. Department of Education in Kodály instructional strategies for Houston ISD.
Patty currently serves as Elementary Music Region 18 Chair for the Texas Music Educators' Association (TMEA) and is a past-president of the Kodály Educators of Texas (KET). She is also serving on a statewide assessment committee for the Texas Music Administrators' Conference (TMAC) and TEKS revision committee for the State Board of Education (SBOE). Patty and her husband Mike keep busy with their son Michael in various sports activities and violin lessons.
Peter Nilsson
Peter Nilsson studied Music and English literature at Middlebury College, where, after graduating, he spent a year as Assistant Director of the College Choir. Thereafter, he spent five years teaching English and advising musical ensembles at Deerfield Academy, an independent high school in Western Massachusetts. During summers, he led students on bicycle adventures in Vermont; across Europe, from London to Rome; and across the United States, from Georgia to California.
In 2005, Peter began a four year stretch living in New York City as a musician, writer, tutor, political organizer, and graduate student. As a musician, Peter performed in jazz, soul, blues, folk, funk, hip-hop, rock, Americana, and West African music ensembles. He composed music for theater and musicals, and he played in New York City venues such as B. B. King's, the Bitter End, the Rockwood Music Hall, and the Living Room. He also traveled to perform at the Newport Folk Festival.
After completing a masters degree in education at Columbia University, Peter returned to Deerfield Academy, where he is currently Assistant Academic Dean and an English teacher. Next year he will become the Assistant Dean of Faculty. He has recently presented a paper on teaching creativity, and has since spoken about creativity at the College Board, at the National Association of Independent Schools, right here in Austin at SXSWedu, and overseas.
For a small but growing collection of work on creativity, cognitive science, and education, visit Peter's blog at www.senseandsensation.com.
Lisa Roebuck
Lisa Weinheimer Roebuck currently serves Round Rock ISD as a Lead Curriculum Specialist for Fine Arts. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Texas at Austin and a Kodály Music Certification from Texas State University. Lisa has taught general music at the elementary level and choral music at the secondary level. She taught in both public and private schools for 21 years before entering the world of full time fine arts administration in 2006. She presents for other school districts and educational service centers in the areas of choir, elementary music, fine arts curriculum and program development.
Lisa has served as the Elementary Music Region 26 Chair for the Texas Music Educators Association and is Past President of the Kodály Educators of Texas. She also served on "The Vision Committee for Curriculum and Assessments in the Arts" with the Texas Music Administration Conference and Texas Music Educators Association. Additionally, she has been selected by the State Board of Education as a member of TEKS (state standards) revision process for the state of Texas.
Jessica Rose Hooker
Dr. Jessica Rose Hooker is a social psychologist who combines scientific principles with creative techniques to help individuals and organizations achieve greater clarity, integrity, well-being, and effectiveness. She earned her Ph.D. in sociology at The Ohio State University in 2002, and has 14 years experience teaching at Ohio State, Ohio University, Antioch College, and Huston-Tillotson University.
Sarah Sanders
Sarah Sanders is the K-12 Visual Arts Coordinator from Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, located in northwest Houston. She is a graduate of the University of Kansas in Art Education with a Masters of Education in Supervision from Sam Houston State University. Sarah has been an art educator for 43 years and has taught in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. She spent 10 years as Director of Instruction of a middle school and has served on many textbook and curriculum writing committees in each state. Previously, she has held numerous offices, including President of TAEA (Texas Art Education Association) and is a Distinguished Fellow. Sarah lives in Houston with her husband, Ron.
Jonathan Schmid
Jonathan Schmid is the Director of Innovation & Technology at The Meadowbrook School of Weston, Massachusetts . He has worked at schools in the United States and Europe, and has presented at numerous conferences. Having taught students ages 1-12 from over 50 nationalities, he has seen the difference technology can make in the lives of students. A blogger and avid twitterer, Jonathan loves assisting teachers as they become more effective through the use of technology. He has a Masters in Instructional Technology, is a Google Certified Instructor and an advocate for purposeful technology.
Roxanne Schroeder-arce
Roxanne Schroeder-Arce serves as Assistant Professor of Theatre Education at the University of Texas Department of Theatre and Dance. Prior to her current appointment, she was Assistant Professor at Emerson College in Boston. She also served as Assistant Professor at California State University Fresno. Schroeder-Arce received her M.F.A. in Drama and Theatre for Youth from the University of Texas at Austin and her B.S. degree and teaching credential from Emerson College. She taught high school theatre in Texas for six years and served as Artistic and Education Director of Teatro Humanidad in Austin for several years. Aside from her teaching, Schroeder-Arce is a director, performer, and playwright. Her bilingual plays have been presented to children and youth in theatres around the United States. Her plays Señora Tortuga, Legend of the Poinsettia, and Sangre de un Angel are published by Anchorage Press Plays, now Dramatic Publishing.
Laurie Snyder
Laurie Snyder is the dance and physical education teacher at Walsh Middle School in Round Rock ISD. She is the owner of Fancy Feet Dance, which offers summer dance camps for young children in small towns that don't have dance studios. She holds a bachelor of science in dance management from Oklahoma City University and masters of secondary education from Texas State University. While attending OCU she worked with many founding fathers of tap including Leonard Reed, Donald O'Connor, Jimmy Slydes, and Buster Brown. She also trained daily with world-renowned ballerina Jo Rowan. Upon college graduation, Laurie went to work for Celebrity Cruises onboard the GTS Millennium ship as a dancer, cirque aerialist, and costume mistress for four production shows. After dancing for Celebrity, Laurie moved to Los Angeles where she worked as the head casting coordinator for L.A. Extras, providing extras and small characters for a wide variety of television shows and movies including War of the Worlds and Boston Legal. Laurie and her husband Paul relocated to Austin five years ago. They have two beautiful little girls, Bria, 4, and Summer, 1.
Ann Zbylot
Ann Zbylot M.Ed. , LPC. DMT-R is a License Professional Counselor and a Registered Dance/Movement Therapist. Ann is a psychotherapist in private practice skilled in non-verbal creative approaches that utilize visual art, movement and mindfulness. She is a dance/movement therapist for Accessible Arts. a program that brings expressive arts therapy groups into Austin's special education classrooms. Ann is a member of Austin-In-Connection, a diverse group of helping professionals interested in integrating emerging neurobiology into their practices to promote healthy relationships.
