Meet the board

Meet our 2022 AEM Board. These individuals work hard to continuously improve Art Educators Minnesota and provide quality professional development experiences for its members. Interested in joining our board? Contact us today!

Join Our Board

"Valentine"

Grace
8th Grade

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Jessica jones

President

Leadership and advocacy has always been at the forefront of my teaching career since I began as an art educator in Wisconsin over 15 years ago.   As a membership representative of the Wisconsin Art Education Association, the National Art Education Association Western Region Middle Level representative, it has provided me the opportunity to learn and grow as an educator and advocate.  As a AEM board member for over 5 years, I have had the opportunity to help support on many levels.  From Awards, Board Services to now active President, I am dedicated to serve our community of art educators to the best of my ability.   I currently serve as the Middle level Art Educator at St. Paul Academy and Summit School.

Contact:

president@artedmn.org
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kevan nitzberg

Communications Chair

I am a retired art teacher after 49 years of teaching. I have taught primarily high school level art in both NY and MN. I have been involved in AEM since 1994 and am the Communications Chair and responsible for editing the Art Exchange.

Contact:

communications@artedmn.org
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Jeff pridie

Finance Chair

Hi, I am currently a Middle School Art Specialist in the Stillwater School District. I am also currently the Interim Treasurer for the Art Educators of Minnesota.  I have been involved with AEM as President, Past President, assisted with Youth Art Month, Professional Development.

Contact:

finance@artedmn.org
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ellen scharfenberg

Membership Chair

Hello! I have been teaching elementary art for six years. I taught for four years in Wisconsin and was a part of the Wisconsin Art Education Association as their Membership Chair for four years, and in 2021I was awarded the WAEA Outstanding Beginning Art Educator of the Year. I now teach at Mounds Park Academy in St. Paul. I love helping connect arts educators to the NAEA/AEM community and the amazing resources that we provide and are available!

Contact:

membership@artedmn.org
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Lindsay hunkins

Professional Development Chair

I am an art teacher at Hill-Murray School where, for the past 10 years, I have been able to implement and grow the high school ceramics program into the most popular arts course. I am responsible for developing the Middle School Art 1 and 2 curriculum, establishing a successful art club, coordinating numerous art shows, and conducting art fairs where students are able to sell their own artwork! I am thrilled to be part of AEM and serve as professional development head. I hope to encourage the advancement of our fellow educators’ skills and qualifications to meet the needs of our ever-changing school communities.

Contact:

prof.development@artedmn.org
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tiffany erie

Youth Art Month Chair

I have been teaching art since 2007. I started at an elementary in St. Cloud, MN and am currently teaching in Rochester Public Schools at Franklin Elementary and Montessori at Franklin. I have always been passionate about advocating for students and their artistic voice which brought me to being a co-chair for Youth Art Month with the Art Educators of MN. I LOVE finding ways to celebrate youth for our state and within the schools. Please reach out if you have any great ideas or would like some help finding ways to celebrate in your school.

Contact:

yam@artedmn.org
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heidi miller

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

I can’t believe this, but I am currently entering my 14th year of teaching… how is that even possible? I teach Media Arts (Photography, Media Arts, & Armstrong Productions) at Robbinsdale Armstrong High School in Plymouth, MN. I am very excited to help guide AEM and its members on their journeys to be more equitable, diverse, inclusive, and just in their classrooms and daily lives.

Contact:

equity@artedmn.org
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Paige Brevick

Museum Chair

Bio coming soon!

Contact:

museum@artedmn.org
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bradley bachmeier

Higher Education Chair

I am currently employed at Minnesota State University Moorhead as Program Coordinator and Professor of Art Education leading the largest program in a 3 state region. I also serve as the Art Therapy Program Coordinator.

Contact:

highered@artedmn.org
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Alicia Peters

Advocacy Chair

I have held the position of Professor of Art Pedagogy at the College of Saint Benedict/St. John's University for the past 12 years. Additionally, I have 15 years of experience as an Elementary Art Teacher and, for the past 21 years, I have co-owned an adult foster care home with my spouse. Currently, I am also a doctoral candidate at Hamline University, where my research focuses on examining the factors that influence Elementary Art Teacher Retention.

In 2022, I had the honor of being recognized as the Higher Art Educator of the Year. My driving motivation is to facilitate communities of learners to make meaningful connections through art, thereby enhancing not only their own lives but also the lives of others.

Contact:

advocacy@artedmn.org
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nathan knick

Regional Representative

Greetings to all! My name is Nathan Knick and I currently reside in Alexandria with my wife, Amber, and four boys, Tyler (11), Micah (9), Caleb (7), and Jordan (5). I grew up in Fergus Falls, graduating in 2000. I began my education by attending the Fergus Falls Community College, then transferring to the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. After graduating in 2005, I found my first art teaching position in Alexandria and have been teaching in the community ever since. In 2017, I created an “In the Moment” art competition called Art Wars. I’m currently working to spread Art Wars and have competitions in Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota next year. My favorite mediums to work in are ceramics and drawing, although I like using a mix of everything. The biggest inspiration for my art is Dr Pepper. It’s simply the best tasting soda, often described as the nectar of the gods. The logos have been some of the greatest in the industry since its inception in 1885 though my favorite to incorporate is the one from the 1990’s. When not at home or in the classroom……Ha, who am I kidding.

Contact:

regional@artedmn.org
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kassie gibbons

Website and Communications

I am a former art educator of 9 years - teaching 1 year in Howard Lake Waverly Winsted (6-12) and 8 years teaching digital art at Alexandria Area High School (9-12). After the 2022 school year, I transitioned from the classroom to the office, as a user experience designer for a technology and digital design agency, based in the Twin Cities. I assist AEM by maintaining the AEM website and helping with the social media channels. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the AEM website or socials, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at the email below.

Contact:

website@artedmn.org