Treasurer | Dr. Heather Casteel

Biography Statement

TAEA Board Member Since: 2022 - present, 2016 - 2019

Past TAEA Board Roles: Administration and Supervision Chair

Heather Casteel, PhD, is the Humanities Supervisor and Visual Arts Specialist for Knox County Schools in Knoxville, Tennessee, where she leads K–12 visual arts education through curriculum development, professional learning, and teacher mentorship. With over twenty years of experience across classroom teaching, higher education, and district leadership, she is dedicated to expanding access to high-quality, student-centered arts education.

Dr. Casteel’s work focuses on designing choice-based, inquiry-driven learning experiences that foster creativity, critical thinking, and student voice. She leads the development of districtwide visual arts resources and facilitates professional learning at the district, state, and national levels. As Project Coordinator for ArtsEd Tennessee, she advances advocacy efforts that strengthen the role of the arts in a well-rounded education.

She chaired the 2024 Tennessee Visual and Media Arts Standards Revision Panel and has contributed to numerous state-level initiatives in policy, assessment, and educator development. Her work has been featured through presentations at the National Art Education Association and other professional organizations.

Dr. Casteel holds a PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Tennessee and was named the 2025 Southeastern Supervision and Administration Art Educator of the Year.