NAEA Open Studio | Balancing Acts: Strategies for Preservice Art Educators to Thrive as Artists and Instructors

Emily Saleh, a visual artist, designer, and educator, passionately serves as a 4th- and 5th-grade art and design educator in central New Jersey, dedicated to nurturing learners and empathic citizens through art. With an honors BFA from Syracuse University, Emily’s philosophy emphasizes authentic, individualized, and peaceful learning experiences for all, infusing compassion and joy into the art studio. As the current Eastern Region Middle Level Division Director for NAEA, she champions the transformative power of art in fostering understanding, conscientiousness, and empathy. Emily’s advisory roles for nonprofits and district strategic leadership reflect her commitment to community engagement. She leads community art initiatives domestically and abroad, spanning topics from sustainability, service, literacy, and integrated arts. Emily thrives on collaboration, connection, and innovative art, celebrating creativity’s profound role in realizing our dreams. When not organizing or creating, she enjoys laughter-filled conversations about cats, food, Grey’s Anatomy, and travel adventures. 

Maria Knuckley Robinson holds undergraduate degrees in business administration and art studio/design, a Masters of Arts Teaching in Art Education, National Board Teacher Certification, and an Education Doctorate Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She is currently working on an MFA in Painting at SCAD to improve her own work in combining painting, printmaking, textiles, and mixed-media approaches. Maria has extensive training in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, pottery, mixed media, photography, film, metal jewelry, 3D printing, and STEAM curriculum development. She is actively involved with Advanced Placement Studio Art and Design as a Table Leader and Consultant, NAEA as an At-Large Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Commissioner, and the South Carolina Department of Education’s Arts Assessment Program as an assessor, item writer, and professional development instructor. She has a consulting business called Artistry & Assessment; she travels to schools around the country to assist in developing growth in arts assessment practices.