Board Election Results & biographies: April March 2022

Learn more about your elected WAEA Board Members below!

ADVOCACY: 
​JENNIFER HANDRICK

Jennifer Says:
I am a passionate advocate for art education! I have fought for art education in my district many times throughout my 23 year career as an art teacher, including being a part of increasing art minutes at the elementary level, saving an art position from cuts at the middle school level, and increasing art staffing at the high school level. I have worked with the former DPI Fine Arts Director to ensure my district is meeting all WI DPI Art Education Requirements and have a history of writing letters to policy makers around varying issues important to Art Education and students in Wisconsin.My B.S. in Art Education was at UW-Stout. I started teaching in 1999 in Chippewa Falls, WI, and have stayed in the district gaining experience K-12 and at our alternative high school. In 2003 I earned my MEPD from UW-La Crosse. I have presented at WAEA on multiple topics and once at NAEA. I was honored as the WI Secondary Art Educator in 2013. In addition to teaching everything from Art Foundations to Adv. Ceramics to AP Art courses, etc., I also advise Art Club and National Art Honor Society, as well as facilitate student teams for the WI Visual Arts Classic and the Visioneer Design Challenge.

​I display my students' artwork at YAM, the Pablo Center in Eau Claire, and the Heyde Center for the Arts in Chippewa Falls. My AP curate and hang their own show at the Heyde Center for the Arts, as well. Here is the link to my website, https://artsymomteacher.weebly.com/.

SECRETARY:
​JEN MARTENS

Jen Says: 
​My husband and I live in rural Wisconsin just outside of Endeavor with our two children, ages 17 & 14. I have taught elementary art for the past 23 years and am currently teaching at three small schools in the Portage Community School District. I am passionate about helping my young artists become enlightened with the art-making process and learn about artists in their world.

​I would like to be on the WAEA board as secretary because I want to learn more ways to promote art education and give back to this great organization. I enjoy presenting sessions at the WAEA conference like crayon sculptures and yarn necklaces. After each conference, I feel refreshed and inspired. A fun hobby of mine is painting large public sculptures. I have painted a cow, elephant and am in the process of completing an 8-foot canoe for the Portage Chamber of Commerce. I love how this type of art is so accessible to my students and their families.

WEBMASTER/SOCIAL MEDIA:
​KAITLYNN RADLOFF

Kaitlynn Says: 
Radloff, Kaitlynn - I would love to serve as the webmaster for the WAEA Board because I'm interested in creating space in virtual settings for art educators to network across our state, build relationships, share resources and ideas, and stay informed on current and future issues regarding art education.This is my 8th year teaching for Milwaukee Public Schools. I have split that time between middle and high school and currently teach at Milwaukee High School of the Arts where I teach a variety of painting and drawing courses as well as video technology and printmaking.

​This fall, I presented animation lessons and LGBTQ+ inclusivity at the state art educators conference and look forward to presenting a more in depth look at LGBTQ+ inclusivity in the art room at the NAEA this spring.

MUSEUM REPRESENTATIVE:
​XOE FISS

Xoe Says: 
It has been a joy to connect with educators in Wisconsin and support the professional development goals of WAEA through my time serving on the board. I hope to continue working with the board to imagine even more possibilities for providing meaningful resources and experiences for educators throughout the state and virtually.

​As the Education Program Director at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Xoe Fiss oversees educational initiatives inclusive of exhibition-related programs, gallery resources, tours, teacher professional development and school partnerships.

RETIRED ART EDUCATOR REPRESENTATIVE:
​FAYE BARBER-SCHMUHL

Faye Says:
“There has never been a time in my life where I thought I wanted to be anything other than an ART teacher and Artist. The arts and teaching are entrenched in my soul.” I graduated Magna Cum Laud from U.W. Oshkosh in 1984 with a BAE Degree and one credit short of a BFA. Halfway through MFA when daughter was killed in a car accident. Art Instructor: Grades 6-12 at Oakfield Middle and High School, for 27 years. Still teaching as a long-term and short-term substitute teacher. Working in Rosendale/Laconia, Oakfield, Waupun, Fond du Lac and Markesan districts.
Upon retirement taught watercolor/acrylic/ painting classes to adults at the Share Gallery in Fond du Lac and FdL Senior center and formally at the Green Lake Town Square where I have a studio. Operate my own business called “Art for All Ages.” I hold ART retreats at a northern location, teacher workshops all over the state. I continue to take classes to further develop my own skills as a teacher and to keep my creative juices flowing. Won the Christa McAuliffe Fellowship in 1990. Spent three years presenting “The History and Culture of the Wisconsin Woodland Indians thought the Art of Puppetry”. Coached a High School and Family Puppetry Troup and Clown Troop at Oakfield High School. Performed all over the state, notably at the Milwaukee Performing Art center for “Rainbow Summer.”
Experience as a professional photographer, clown, and puppeteer. Have taken numerous classes all over the state at many locations and numerous instructors. As a teacher a lifetime learner, Faye prefers to work in Watercolor and raku ceramics these days. Recently exhibited work at the wow Gallery in Wittenberg, the Riverwalk Gallery in Fond du Lac, the Library Gallery in Fond du Lac, the Fine Lines Gallery in Hortonville, the Ubuntu Gallery, the Waupun Library Gallery and now at the Green Lake Town Square Lobby Gallery.
​Displayed works in numerous shows with the Wisconsin Art Education Association of which I am a WAEA board member. In 2017 was voted Fond du Lac Art Association's “Artist of the Year”. Has juried and judged shows, curated and hung many shows for groups and solo shows.

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT: SOUTH WEST:
​MANDY ZDRALE

Mandy Says:
​I would like to continue to be on the board representing the South West Region because I love connecting with other art educators and promoting student art through Youth Art Month. I learn so much from being around other art teachers and from seeing the work of all the talented students we serve. The South West Region is already filled with strong, dedicated educators but it would be great to recruit even more members.

I have a degree in Art Education from UW-Madison and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from National Louis University. I have been a member of the WAEA for almost all of my 20+ year career. I have also taught at Adams Elementary School in Janesville for my whole career; which is really uncommon and special. My school is truly a community and I am deeply invested in it and in the children and families I work with each day.

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT: SOUTH EAST:
​NATALIE KOTNIK

Natalie Says:
Promote art in my region - meet/hang out with other awesome WI art teachers - learn more forms and techniques to better myself and my students. I am in my 3rd year of art education in the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District. I travel between 2 elementary schools and got my certification at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. Before finding my current district I spent about 2 years long term subbing in the Waukesha School District. This year I am working on multiple school wide beautification projects along with legacy projects for 5th grade!

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT: NORTH WEST:
​ANDREA WORTHEY

Andrea Says: 
Andrea Worthey is a visual artist and educator living in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Worthey received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting and printmaking, as well as her Bachelor of Science in Art Education, from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Worthey completed her Master of Arts degree through the Peck School of the Arts, as well as receiving a Museum Studies Certification through Anthropology, in 2011 at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM). Worthey completed her Master of Fine Arts degree (2012) at the Peck School of the Arts, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

​She has been active in Public Arts, Curation, and Art Education for the last 15 years. Andrea was named 2020 Wisconsin Art Education Association, Secondary Art Educator of the Year. Andrea has been an active Board Member of WAEA for 5 years, serving as the North West Regional Vice President of Youth Art Month. I have a passion for visual arts and art education. I would love to continue on the board to grow our region and reach more Art Educators and showcase the incredible work of the students we teach every day.

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT: NORTH WEST
SARAH FREDRIKSON

Sarah Says:
I have been teaching various levels of art for the past fifteen years in North Eastern Wisconsin. I currently teach art in the Denmark School District at Denmark High School. I previously taught in Sturgeon Bay at the middle school, high school and the early childhood center. I have a passion for sharing my love of art with my students. Outside of the classroom, I am busy with my family. I have 8-year-old triplets and a 6-year-old. When I do find a few minutes to create, I work with photography, felting, painting and drawing. I also enjoy traveling and attending professional development.

​I have been the North East Wisconsin Vice President for the past four years and have worked hard to develop a strong regional show at the Neville Public Museum and a virtual show in 2021. I am hoping to help provide some new opportunities for North East Wisconsin art educators to come together and share our stories and knowledge. I would love to continue working with all of you to grow the arts in North East Wisconsin. I have really enjoyed working on the board and building relationships with art teachers around Wisconsin and the US.

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT: NORTH CENTRAL:
JILL FORTIN

Jill Says:
Jill Fortin is a mother of two brilliant daughters who loves to travel. Mrs. Fortin graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Superior with an art education degree. Mrs. Fortin has called Medford her home since 2002. Jill is committed to helping her community by doing events such as “empty bowls feed my people” in which she has raised over $6000.00 for the local food pantries. She is involved with many community learning groups and clubs that teach people of all ages how to create a variety of art. She has advocated for art in her community by “painting the town.” Through this program she was able to get five murals placed throughout the City of Medford. Jill is an artist who works with many art mediums. She has had her pottery, paintings, jewelry, and sculptures in many galleries across the state. Mrs. Fortin has held a Guinness World Record Holder for most ceramic pots thrown in an hour.

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT: WEST CENTRAL:
​QUENTEN BROWN

Quenten says: Quenten Brown is an art teacher at West Salem High School, and current West Central Vice President.I was born and raised in Black River Falls, WI. I earned my Bachelor's in Art Education from Viterbo University in 1999, and received my Master's in Education/Professional Development from UW-La Crosse in 2005. Shortly after graduating from Viterbo, I was fortunate to be hired by the West Salem School District in west central Wisconsin, where I have taught high school art since the year 2000.

​I have served as the West Central VP from 2016-2018, and began serving again in 2020. In 2018, I was named the "Outstanding Educator-Secondary Level" by the WAEA. I have had the honor of watching my students receive statewide awards at the Youth Art Month celebration, as well as being a part of the winning team at the State Visual Arts Classic competition. In addition to teaching art at West Salem High School, I have had the opportunity to be an adjunct professor at Viterbo, and at Western Technical College. I have also taught community-based art courses at our local library. Currently, I live in Onalaska with my wife and two daughters. When I am not teaching or working on my own art, I enjoy playing music in and around the La Crosse area.