Video Description: View the archive of this presentation above.  This program is presented by the MAEA ED&I Task Force.

Panel:  Dr. Faith Benzer, Abigail Birhanu, Bre Legan, Dr. Steve Willis
Moderators:  Elizabeth Barker, Taylor Hopkins, Phyllis Pasley

Description:  Come watch this live Zoom event. This panel will discuss their experiences in relation to the EDI work. They will share stories, create connections, and explore where art educators can be through positive conversations about equity. If you are interested in becoming a part of the ED&I Task Force, we invite you to reach out to Hester Menier, MAEA President.

Presentation Type and Audience:  Interactive Discussion, All Art Educators

Panelists:

Dr. Fatih Benzer:  Missouri State University, Art Education, research,  Born in Turkey, immigrated to the United States at 22.  Working on Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Council at MSU, Education Subcommittee, works with other organizations, seeking common ground

Abigail Birhanu is an artist and high school art teacher in St. Louis, Missouri. Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, she moved to the United States at the age of nine. She received a BFA with an emphasis in Art Education (University of Missouri-St. Louis) and a master’s (Webster University) in Education Psychology. Abby participated in the Fulbright Teachers Exchange Program as an exchange teacher to the United Kingdom in 2011-2012 school year. The experience was transformative and further solidified her commitment to cross-cultural learning and teaching.
Abby loves traveling (21 countries and counting) and especially partaking in educational and cultural exchange tours with her students. As an educator, she is committed to anti-racist, anti-bias, and culturally responsive teaching that honors the experiences of all of her students and cultivates global citizens that understand and value the interconnected world community.

Bre Legan:  Bre Legan is a multimedia artist, writer, and dreamer. They hold a Summa Cum Laude Bachelor of Art Degree in Graphic Design, Photography, & Writing with a Leadership Certificate from Drury University, a Photography Certificate from Santa Reparata International School of Art in Florence, Italy, and a Grant Writing Certificate from Seattle Central College. Bre splits their professional time between Drury University, as a professor of weaving in the Fine Arts Department, and Alexander Hamilton Scholars, an access-to-education nonprofit supporting high-achieving, underserved young changemakers nationwide. In the fall, Bre will be pursuing their Master of Communication at Marquette University through the prestigious, social justice-focused Trinity Fellowship, where they will continue their EDI and advocacy work in marginalized communities. Ultimately, Bre says, “I strive to be a voice and provide a platform of support for marginalized people and wish for everyone to constantly become the best versions of themselves.”Drury University, Fiber artist, Hamilton Scholar formerly living in Seattle.

Dr. Steve Willis: Missouri State University Art Education, Native American studies, Spiritualist, 47th year in the classroom, he was called “the Indian guy” when he first arrived at MSU about 20 years ago–comment often intended in a derogatory way because of light complexion.  Steve has explored the segment of the Trail of Tears that runs through Springfield.  

Facilitators:

Phyllis Pasley is a retired music educator who currently serves as the executive director of the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education. MAAE’s RIDE Committee (addressing Racism, Inclusion Diversity and Equity) is working with organizations and partners across the state, to increase access to high quality arts education experiences for ALL Missourians.

Elizabeth Barker  has been throwing clay and bringing the world to Lebanon High School, in southwest Missouri for twenty five years.  Her horizons broadened to a “Globally Strong” perspective after participating in an archaeological dig in Israel’s Golan Heights in the summers of 1993-94.  She received her Bachelor’s in Art Education in 1995 and a Master of Science from Missouri State University in 1999.  She serves as Visual Art Department Head and is the Coordinator of the Lebanon High School Culture Fair and Mural Planning Committee.  She  sponsors the International Club, Gender Sexuality Alliance, and is a member of the Lebanon High School Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Council.  She was appointed to  the National Art Education Association’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Commission in October 2019.  She enjoys organizing mural projects, art trips and cultural diversity fairs for her community.  She is married to Robert Barker, a Systems Support Specialist for Independent Stave Company in Lebanon.  They have three children, Abram (17), Alia (15) and Adlai (12). 

Taylor Hopkins is in his 11th year of teaching art in rural Missouri districts. He is passionate about promoting inclusive classrooms in response to his own experiences having a son who is differently abled. He has also worked to build community programs that are sustainable and equitable in districts across the Ozarks. His latest journey entails exploring issues of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in regards to Missouri art education and he hopes to find the right means to inspire more art educators to examine their own biases that prohibit equitable educational opportunities for their students.

Resources:
https://www.arteducators.org/community/articles/608-national-task-force-on-equity-diversity-inclusion
www.antiracistartteachers.org (Lessons, books, videos, and most importantly, BIPOC artists)

Facebook Group Page: 
Art Teachers for Anti racist Curriculum https://www.facebook.com/groups/2897220407010062

Anti-Racist Art Educators 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2396261667290772 
https://www.moaae.org/diversity/resources-ride

Join the MAAE RIDE Committee–Maria A. Ellis, chair

A Blueprint for Equity and Diversity in the Arts Classroom – August 3, 2021 @ 7pm via ZOOM REGISTRATION LINK: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJApde2oqTwuGNyRjmXR0aRySULfPP4ebdpW
The program focuses on high achieving, underserved populations.  Interest in identity formation in migrant communities, currently living in Conway.