TAEA 2025 Board Elections

Roles & Repsonsibilities

President-Elect (Executive Board)

• Preside over Quarterly Board Meetings if President is not available

• Optional signatory for check request forms

• Attend TAEA and NAEA Conferences a Representative of TAEA

• Attend Delegates at NAEA Conferences (including Leadership Conferences) Note: It is traditional to bring a souvenir from our state for all 150+ delegates.

• Keep lines of communication open (be approachable) with other Board Members and Organization Members

• Attend all NAEA and NAEA Southeastern Region Board Meetings (Virtually)

• Work with Executive Board to Select State Awardees

• Chair Awards Committee at State Conference 

• Participate on Committees as needed

Additional Expectations:

• Ensure that Goals of TAEA are in alignment with NAEA Goals

• Work towards creating a Board and Membership that encompasses Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

• Reach out to community and increase Membership

Secretary (Executive Board) 

• Take minutes at all Board Meetings and upload to Google Drive prior to next meeting

• Preside over Quarterly Board Meetings if President, President-Elect, and Past-President are not available

• Optional signatory for check request forms

• Work with Executive Board to select State Awardees

• Participate on committees as needed

• File management of membership reports

• Chair, Elections Committee 

Treasurer (Executive Board) 

• Preside over Quarterly Board Meetings if President, President-Elect, Past-President, and Secretary is not available

• Process all check request forms

• Manage the financial aspects of TAEA including the preparation of the budgets, bookkeeping, writing checks for expenses, and processing payments

• Optional signatory for check request forms

• Work with Executive Board to Select State Awardees

Regional Directors – East, Middle, and West Tennessee 

• Assist when needed in Transportation of TAEA-related materials for that region (i.e., artwork for “Connections” exhibit and regional exhibits)

• Plan and/or partner with a regional organization for a spring professional development opportunity

• Keep lines of communication open (be approachable) and actively network with other Board members and organization members

• Keep track of member status of your region through membership reports located in Google Drive

• Reach out to non-members in your region

Your NAEA/TAEA Membership Number is necessary to vote. If you need to look up your membership number, login to the NAEA portal.

President-Elect Candidate

Ellery NIef

Bio

Ellery Nief is an experienced art educator and leader with a strong background in curriculum development, instruction, and professional learning. She is currently a doctoral candidate at Carson-Newman University, and holds an Educational Specialist degree from Carson-Newman University (2022), a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Nebraska at Kearney (2017), and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education with a minor in Art History from the University of Memphis (2015).  

Currently serving as an Art Teacher at Inskip Elementary School in Knox County, Tennessee, Ellery has been a dedicated educator since 2015. She has taken on leadership roles, including Lead Teacher (2019-2024) and a member of the Leadership Team (2016-2022). She has hosted both practicum students and interns from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, since 2018. Additionally, she serves as a Professional Learning Specialist for the Visual Arts Department in Knox County Schools, helping to shape instructional strategies and curriculum development.  

Ellery is an accomplished artist, having exhibited her work in numerous juried and group exhibitions, including "Art Source: An Exhibition of Works by Knox County Art Educators" at the University of Tennessee Downtown Gallery and "Synergy: East Tennessee Art Education Exhibition" at the Clayton Center for the Arts, where she earned multiple awards. Her dedication to art education has been recognized with honors such as the 2023 East Region Art Educator of the Year from the Tennessee Art Education Association and the 2019-2020 Teacher of the Year award at Inskip Elementary School.  

A frequent presenter at professional conferences, Ellery has shared her expertise at both the National Art Education Association (NAEA) and the Tennessee Art Education Association (TAEA) conferences. She is actively involved in professional organizations, serving as the Communications Chair for the Tennessee Art Education Association (2024-present) and maintaining memberships in both TAEA and NAEA since 2014. 

Beyond the classroom, Ellery is committed to community engagement, volunteering with the Maryville/Alcoa Animal Rescue Center and mentoring with the Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachia. Through her work as an educator, artist, and leader, she continues to advocate for the power of visual arts in education and the broader community.  

Vision Statement

As President-Elect of TAEA, I am committed to strengthening our community of arts educators by fostering collaboration, advocacy, and professional growth. I will work to ensure that TAEA remains a supportive and inclusive network, empowering members through shared knowledge, innovative teaching strategies, and meaningful connections. By prioritizing advocacy, I will champion the arts at the state and national levels, striving to secure resources and recognition for arts education in Tennessee.  

With a deep commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, I will help shape initiatives that create accessible opportunities for all educators and students. Through active engagement in TAEA programs, exhibitions, and conferences, I will support professional learning and research that drive excellence in arts education. Together, we can amplify the impact of visual arts in our schools and communities, ensuring a vibrant future for arts education across the state.

Treasurer Candidate

Heather Casteel

Bio

Dr. Heather Casteel is the current TAEA Treasurer and the Humanities Supervisor and Visual Arts Specialist for Knox County Schools, where she supports K-12 visual arts education through curriculum development, professional learning, and teacher mentorship. For over twenty years, Dr. Casteel has been recognized for her leadership and innovative contributions to arts education. She holds a PhD in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies from The University of Tennessee and is a dedicated advocate for the arts. Her efforts include serving as Project Coordinator for ArtsEd Tennessee, where she advances advocacy in arts education across the state. She has chaired the last two Tennessee Visual and Media Arts Standards revisions and served on advisory boards for state and local arts organizations, championing equitable access to quality arts education. Dr. Casteel’s achievements have earned her recognition as the 2025 Southeastern Region Administration Art Educator of the Year, 2018 Tennessee Administration Art Educator of the Year, and 2012 East Tennessee Art Educator of the Year.

Vision Statement

As I seek a second term as Treasurer of the TAEA, my vision is to ensure TAEA’s financial stability and sustainability for years to come. Over the past term, I have worked to establish clear, efficient financial processes that support our mission and empower our members. Moving forward, I am committed to refining and strengthening these systems to create long-term financial health, ensuring that TAEA can continue to provide high-quality professional development, advocacy, and support for art educators across Tennessee. With a focus on transparency, strategic planning, and responsible stewardship, I will work diligently to safeguard and grow the resources that sustain our vibrant arts education community.

Secretary Candidate

Amanda Galbraith

Bio

Amanda Galbraith serves as a Postdoctoral Research Associate on the Arts-Based Data Visualization Project at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her research explores the ways educators and students engage with and make sense of art-based data visualization in STEAM, visual arts, and media arts classes. She also serves as an adjunct instructor in Art Education. Prior to that she served as a district lead teacher and K-5 art educator for eighteen years. She has served as the TAEA Advocacy Chair for three years and is currently serving on the NAEA Advocacy Task Force. She also serves as the Director for Arts Leadership and Administration at the Tennessee Arts Academy and as a teaching artist for Borderless Arts. Galbraith has served on the Tennessee Department of Education’s subject matter expert committee, two state standards revision committees, a state textbook and instructional materials advisory panel, and numerous curriculum development teams. She received the Tennessee Art Education Association’s West Tennessee Art Educator of the Year award twice—in 2011 and 2013. In 2019 Galbraith was named the Tennessee Art Education Association Art Educator of the Year. She holds degrees from Memphis College of Art, Union University, and Peabody College at Vanderbilt University. She and her family enjoy hiking, making art, and other adventures.

Vision Statement

Through my experiences in my career and as a member of TAEA, I have developed an appreciation for creativity, diligence, strategic thinking, and enthusiasm. My mission is to contribute positively to any interaction, project, or space in which I am involved and I am passionate about empowering others to shape their goals and reach their outcomes. I plan to apply that vision to my continued service to TAEA if elected to the role of Secretary. I have been so positively influenced by the community of art educators in TAEA and I am happy to contribute to the growth and impact of TAEA on educators, students, and the community.

East Tennessee Regional Representative Candidate

Jesse Mcadams

Bio

Jesse McAdams currently works as an art educator at South-Doyle High School in Knoxville, Tennessee. He holds an AS in Applied Art, a BFA in Studio Art, and a MS in Teacher Education. Before his current career in education, he pursued a path in graphic design and worked in a variety of positions for over a decade.

Vision Statement

My vision is for the unique experiences and opportunities provided by art education to continue to be seen as a fundamental asset for all students in all learning environments.

Middle Tennessee Regional Representative Candidate

Kathy Mcmillian

Bio

Kathy McMillan, a Tullahoma native, is an artist and an art teacher in Tullahoma, TN. She graduated from MTSU with a Bachelor of Science in 1986 and a post-baccalaureate for Art education in 2000. Kathy taught elementary for five years at East Lincoln Elementary and Robert E. Lee Elementary. For the last nineteen years, Kathy has taught at West Middle School. Kathy has belonged to the Tennessee Art Education Association for 25 years and now serves as the Middle Region Co/Chair. Kathy was also honored to be awarded the Middle-Level Art Educator of the Year by the Tennessee Art Education Association in 2016 and the Middle Region Art of Educator of the Year in 2021. Kathy had her art published in the November 2020 edition of Schoolarts Magazine in an article about the Frank Juarez Gallery’s online art exhibit titled  “Pushing the Envelope: An Online Mail Art Exhibition,” which her artwork had been on display virtually in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Sept. 8 through Oct. 31, 2020.  She received an honorable mention in the 2021 TAEA Connections Exhibition and was invited to show her artwork in 2023 and 2024. Kathy taught Interludes at the Tennessee Arts Academy in 2017,2018 and 2020. She created and presented the lesson watercolor Neurographic Sea Creatures at the TAEA Spring Event in 2024 at The Frist Museum in Nashville, TN. She was invited to create art on a donated guitar at the Tennessee Arts Academy that sold the most on their auction site in 2024. She was the Teacher of the Year at the building and system level in 2022 for Tullahoma City Schools.  She was a peer evaluator for the Tennessee Visual Art Portfolios for four years. Kathy presented students’ artwork at  Tullahoma City Schools Arts Night 2015 and presented her artwork for the Tullahoma City Schools art teacher exhibit at Tullahoma Art Center 2020. Also, she showed her art club student’s art at the Tullahoma Middle School Art Show at Tullahoma Art Center 2020. West Middle School students created ornaments displayed in Washington, DC, on the National Christmas Tree display in 2021. Kathy has showcased her and her students’ artwork on social media since 2011. Participated in a TOSS presentation called How Does Arts Education Improves and Enhances Learning? in 2024.

Vision Statement

My passion is making art education accessible, inclusive, creative, and meaningful through our community: advocacy, and learning with the use of relevant research and knowledge, and equity, diversity, and inclusion.

West Tennessee Regional Representative Candidate

Dawn weaver

Bio

Dawn Weaver has been an art educator in Memphis Shelby County Schools for twenty-six years. Dawn attended the University of Mississippi, where she received her BFA in Art Education. During her tenure, Dawn has enriched the lives of thousands of students connecting art in their everyday lives. Dawn has served as a new teacher mentor for the past eleven years, providing new teachers with coaching and best practices in visual art education.  In 2008-09, Dawn was part of the committee that created and formulated the TN Fine Arts Growth Portfolio. She has been on the scoring committee 5 times and will score again for 2025. Dawn was nominated for West TN Art Teacher of the Year in 2023. She has attended many WTAEA and TAEA conferences and Tennessee Arts Academy twice over the years connecting with other art educators from all over the state.  Dawn also serves in the Children’s Ministry at Christ Methodist Church Memphis, where she has been the director for Vacation Bible School for many years. Her involvement in the community has provided her students the opportunity to showcase their artwork using bottle caps for both indoor and outdoor murals. These murals have been highlighted throughout the city for public viewing and published in the Memphis Magazine. Dawn’s passion for teaching art is evident in the connection she makes with her students and their families. She strives to foster a love and appreciation for creativity by encouraging her students to be aware of art in their everyday lives. Dawn is married to Mike Weaver. She has two children, and one fur baby. In her spare time, she enjoys the outdoors, spending time with family, traveling, and volunteering for various organizations serving children in Memphis.

Vision Statement

As an Art educator, my vision is to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive community where creativity thrives, and every student and educator feels valued and inspired. I am committed to:

Community: Build partnerships with local arts organizations, museums, and artists to enrich school-based instruction and provide students with real-world connections to the arts and celebrate their cultural heritage.

Advocacy: Championing the importance of arts education and supportive policies with essential funding at the state level, developing empathy, and innovation, while advocating for equitable access to artistic opportunities for all students. Also to ensure that schools have modern, high-quality curriculum and instructional materials, including art supplies, textbooks, and digital resources, to ensure equitable access and enhance student achievement.

Learning: Continue to provide opportunities for art educators to engage in dynamic and cutting-edge content-specific professional learning art experiences, such as workshops, mentorship programs, and professional learning communities (PLCs).

Research & Knowledge: Advancing the field of art education through ongoing research, sharing best practices, and integrating new knowledge and technologies to enhance teaching and learning.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion: Ensuring that all voices are heard and represented, creating an inclusive space where every student has the opportunity to succeed regardless of their background and express their unique perspectives.