Contemporary Lesson Planning

Marilyn Stewart is an author of multiple K–8 textbooks including Explorations in Art, Experience Art, Thinking Through Aesthetics, and Rethinking Curriculum in Art published by Davis Publications. She is an NAEA Distinguished Fellow, member of the National Standards Writing Team, the recipient of numerous awards—including the NAEA National Art Educator Award in 2011, and a frequent keynote speaker who has conducted over 200 extended professional development workshops nationally.

Alison Elizabeth Keener graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She holds an MEd from Millersville University of Pennsylvania. She received the Howard County High School New Teacher of the Year Award and has presented at NAEA, MAEA, and PAEA conferences. Her teaching experience spans two states, rural, urban, and suburban settings, as well as a foray in higher ed. 

Ryan Twentey is the coordinator of the Baltimore County Public Schools Office of Visual Arts, supporting 330 art educators PreK–12 with curriculum, professional development, and exhibitions. He leads the Visual Arts office with initiatives and policy to promote advocacy and the importance of ensuring every student has a voice through the visual arts. Ryan has received numerous awards for education including the ASCD Outstanding Young Educator Award in 2013, and the NAEA Eastern Region Art Educator Award in 2015. He is a member of the 2022 School for Art Leaders, and he has presented at NAEA, MAEA, ISTE, and was also a guest speaker at the Hong Kong Institute of Education.

Leigh Drake has been the gifted visual arts program educator at Old Donation School in Virginia Beach, Virginia, for the past 12 years. She is a graduate of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania with bachelor's and master's degrees in Art Education, a National Board Certified Teacher in Fine Arts, as well as a contributing editor for SchoolArts magazine. She is also currently pursuing a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction in Art Education through Indiana University at Bloomington. As an educator, Leigh finds it important to design a classroom filled with authentic learning experiences that allow students to engage in student-centered learning.

Ashley Gonzalez is a K–6 elementary art educator in Southern York County School District in Southern Pennsylvania. Serving as a teacher for 15 years, Ashley currently has approximately 640 elementary students that she teaches on a weekly 6-day cycle. She obtained her Bachelor of Science and Master Degree in Art Education from Kutztown University. Ashley loves creating community within her classroom and school environment.

Camille is the supervisor for the Baltimore County Public Schools Office of Visual Arts. She provides services within a school district that includes 178 schools and over 111,000 students. As the supervisor, Camille supports curriculum development, facilitates BCPS district-wide art exhibitions, and creates professional developments that provides equitable teaching practices to encourage student voice and agency. Camille has also been a presenter for education in Maryland Schools, the Maryland State Department of Education, and she was awarded the National Art Education Association Eastern Region Middle Level Art Educator of the Year in 2021. She has earned a master’s degree in Leadership Teaching in Cultural Proficiency and a post master’s certificate in Administration and Supervision, both from Notre Dame of Maryland University.