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Mission &
Vision
Our Team
Photo: Gowri Savoor
QUICK LINKS
BOARD of DIRECTORS | NETAC STEERING GROUP | SUPPORT STAFF
STAFF
Click an image for bio and contact info.
Eric Booth
ENGAGEMENT DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER
Eric is widely referred to as one of the nation’s best teachers of creativity, and the father of the teaching artist profession. In 2015 he was awarded the nation's highest honor for an arts educator (the Arts Education Leadership Award by Americans For The Arts), and was named one of the 25 most important people in the U.S. arts. In arts learning, he has taught at Juilliard (13 years), Stanford University, NYU, Tanglewood and Lincoln Center Institute (35 years), and The Kennedy Center (12 years). He is the founder and co-designer of the International Teaching Artist Conferences, the recipient of the first honorary doctorate in teaching artistry (New England Conservatory), and was the keynote speaker at UNESCO's first world arts education conference.
eeebbb@aol.com
Eric is widely referred to as one of the nation’s best teachers of creativity, and the father of the teaching artist profession. In 2015 he was awarded the nation's highest honor for an arts educator (the Arts Education Leadership Award by Americans For The Arts), and was named one of the 25 most important people in the U.S. arts. In arts learning, he has taught at Juilliard (13 years), Stanford University, NYU, Tanglewood and Lincoln Center Institute (35 years), and The Kennedy Center (12 years). He is the founder and co-designer of the International Teaching Artist Conferences, the recipient of the first honorary doctorate in teaching artistry (New England Conservatory), and was the keynote speaker at UNESCO's first world arts education conference.
eeebbb@aol.com
Paul Gambill
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER
Paul brings 30 years experience as an arts administrator, musician and educator to his role as Executive Director of the Community Engagement Lab. His innovative community-engaged projects have been GRAMMY nominated, featured as models of best practice at national conventions, and received national awards for children's media, including the Parents’ Choice Foundation Gold Award. He has founded three non-profit arts organizations which have attracted regional and national funding and programming awards. Before relocating with his family to Vermont in 2009, he was founder and music director of the Nashville Chamber Orchestra for 20 years, and music director of the Nashville Ballet for six years.
paul@communityengagemnetlab.org
802-595-0087
Paul brings 30 years experience as an arts administrator, musician and educator to his role as Executive Director of the Community Engagement Lab. His innovative community-engaged projects have been GRAMMY nominated, featured as models of best practice at national conventions, and received national awards for children's media, including the Parents’ Choice Foundation Gold Award. He has founded three non-profit arts organizations which have attracted regional and national funding and programming awards. Before relocating with his family to Vermont in 2009, he was founder and music director of the Nashville Chamber Orchestra for 20 years, and music director of the Nashville Ballet for six years.
paul@communityengagemnetlab.org
802-595-0087
Susan Hennessey
CREATIVE EDUCATION DIRECTOR
Susan brings with her years of experience helping educators enact student-centered pedagogies in Vermont. In addition to her work with CEL, she serves as the program lead and teaches courses in UVM's Educational Technology Online sequence, and co-directs UVM's Learning Lab, a network for educators to engage in action research with their students. Through her work as a district-wide technology integration coach and ten year experience as a professional development coordinator at the Tarrant Institute of Innovative Education at UVM, Susan designs professional development experiences that model best practices in teaching and assessment. She worked at Harwood Union High School as the English department chair as well as the Library Media Specialist. In 2007, she won the Milken Educator Award for Vermont.
sthennes@gmail.com
Susan brings with her years of experience helping educators enact student-centered pedagogies in Vermont. In addition to her work with CEL, she serves as the program lead and teaches courses in UVM's Educational Technology Online sequence, and co-directs UVM's Learning Lab, a network for educators to engage in action research with their students. Through her work as a district-wide technology integration coach and ten year experience as a professional development coordinator at the Tarrant Institute of Innovative Education at UVM, Susan designs professional development experiences that model best practices in teaching and assessment. She worked at Harwood Union High School as the English department chair as well as the Library Media Specialist. In 2007, she won the Milken Educator Award for Vermont.
sthennes@gmail.com
Ashley Hensel-Browning
STAFF TEACHING ARTIST
Ashley is a teaching artist, dance educator and choreographer whose work investigates how movement creates a more aware, engaged, and connected community. She has received multiple grants for her work in public schools and community sites and is a Juried Teaching Artist through the Vermont Arts Council. Projects include teacher trainings, school residencies, dance in libraries, restorative justice and correctional facilities programs as well as community-inspired and inclusive original productions. She received her Ed.M from Harvard Graduate School of Education and teaches at the Dance Factory in Springfield, Vermont.
dancewithashley@gmail.com
Ashley is a teaching artist, dance educator and choreographer whose work investigates how movement creates a more aware, engaged, and connected community. She has received multiple grants for her work in public schools and community sites and is a Juried Teaching Artist through the Vermont Arts Council. Projects include teacher trainings, school residencies, dance in libraries, restorative justice and correctional facilities programs as well as community-inspired and inclusive original productions. She received her Ed.M from Harvard Graduate School of Education and teaches at the Dance Factory in Springfield, Vermont.
dancewithashley@gmail.com
Naomi Kro
BUSINESS MANAGER
Naomi has a decade of bookkeeping and financial management experience with Vermont businesses and nonprofits. Following professionally in her mother’s footsteps, Naomi began her bookkeeping career while still in high school. After graduating from Mills College in Oakland, California with a B.A. in Economics, she specialized in accounting work for nonprofits and fiduciary attorneys. As owner of Even Keel Bookkeeping, she leads a team of consultants that support a wide variety Vermont businesses and non-profit organizations.
naomi@evenkeelvt.com
Naomi has a decade of bookkeeping and financial management experience with Vermont businesses and nonprofits. Following professionally in her mother’s footsteps, Naomi began her bookkeeping career while still in high school. After graduating from Mills College in Oakland, California with a B.A. in Economics, she specialized in accounting work for nonprofits and fiduciary attorneys. As owner of Even Keel Bookkeeping, she leads a team of consultants that support a wide variety Vermont businesses and non-profit organizations.
naomi@evenkeelvt.com
Erin Maile O'Keefe
STAFF TEACHING ARTIST
Erin Maile O’Keefe is a grateful settler on the indigenous lands of the Sokoki Abenaki in Southern Vermont. Born and raised in Hawai’i, Erin Maile is supported and nourished by her Hawaiian ancestry, culture and continued mentorship from her elders. As an educator, trainer and community artist/activator, she has developed kinesthetic, multigenerational curriculums that facilitate group inclusion, connection, co-authorship and empathy. Erin’s background in dance, theater and architecture has made the crafting of temporal spaces and community arts engagement at the core of much of her work.
maile@humanconnectionproject.com
Erin Maile O’Keefe is a grateful settler on the indigenous lands of the Sokoki Abenaki in Southern Vermont. Born and raised in Hawai’i, Erin Maile is supported and nourished by her Hawaiian ancestry, culture and continued mentorship from her elders. As an educator, trainer and community artist/activator, she has developed kinesthetic, multigenerational curriculums that facilitate group inclusion, connection, co-authorship and empathy. Erin’s background in dance, theater and architecture has made the crafting of temporal spaces and community arts engagement at the core of much of her work.
maile@humanconnectionproject.com
Gowri Savoor
STAFF TEACHING ARTIST
Gowri is a visual-teaching artist, whose practice includes sculpture, illustration, and writing. Born in England, she moved to the US in 2007. Savoor has been a practicing teaching artist for over 20 years, with experience in arts integration and community building. Savoor is the instigator of A River of Light, a movement committed to bringing art to the community through participatory art events, installations, and lantern parades. She is also the co-founder of Teaching Artists Connect, an organization providing creative and inspiring professional development workshops for teaching artists and educators in North Carolina and beyond.
gowrisavoor@gmail.com
Gowri is a visual-teaching artist, whose practice includes sculpture, illustration, and writing. Born in England, she moved to the US in 2007. Savoor has been a practicing teaching artist for over 20 years, with experience in arts integration and community building. Savoor is the instigator of A River of Light, a movement committed to bringing art to the community through participatory art events, installations, and lantern parades. She is also the co-founder of Teaching Artists Connect, an organization providing creative and inspiring professional development workshops for teaching artists and educators in North Carolina and beyond.
gowrisavoor@gmail.com
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board
Bob Hannum - President
Owner
Arts Management Services, LLC
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Rob Hubbard - Secretary Treasurer
Chief Staff Attorney
Vermont Superior Court
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Kelly Mancini Becker
Instructional Designer, Larner College of Medicine, and Adjunct Faculty, College of Education and Social Services
University of Vermont
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Eric Booth - ex officio
Engagement Director & Co-Founder
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Lisa Bressler
Art Specialist
Vermont Agency of Education
Paul Gambill - ex officio
Executive Director & Co-Founder
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Andrew Homan
Trial Court Staff Attorney
Vermont Judiciary
Jesse Jacobs
Portfolio Manager
Overlake Park, LLC
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Natalie Searle
Director of Secondary School Initiatives
Community College of Vermont
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Adam Sargent
History and Civics Teacher
Harwood Union High School
New England Teaching Artist Collaborative
STEERING COMMITTEE
NETAC
Click an image for bio and contact info.
Eric Booth
CEL ENGAGEMENT DIRECTOR
Anne Campbell
Anne Campbell is the Education Director at Catamount Arts in St. Johnsbury, a position she has held since 2013. With a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Smith College and a master’s degree in community education from Goddard College, Anne has spent more than 30 years in the nonprofit realm, primarily in the arts, education, and community development. She plays percussion in the all-female ensemble, Shebang, and dances whenever she can.
Vanessa Ford
Vanessa’s rich Central American heritage has encouraged her to embrace family, to appreciate every culture and racial background and to find a way to always be of service to others. She is on the voice faculty at the Community Music School of Springfield (MA), and the founder and Program Manager of the Trust Transfer Project, which focuses on community care centered around Mental Wellness and Food Justice by transforming the health of our communities one artistic message at a time.
Paul Gambill
CEL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Ashley Hensel-Browning
CO-CHAIR
Ashley is a teaching artist, dance educator and choreographer whose work investigates how movement creates a more aware, engaged, and connected community. She has received multiple grants for her work in public schools and community sites and is a Juried Teaching Artist through the Vermont Arts Council. Projects include teacher trainings, school residencies, dance in libraries, restorative justice and correctional facilities programs as well as community-inspired and inclusive original productions. She received her Ed.M from Harvard Graduate School of Education and teaches at the Dance Factory in Springfield, Vermont.
dancewithashley@gmail.com
Ashley is a teaching artist, dance educator and choreographer whose work investigates how movement creates a more aware, engaged, and connected community. She has received multiple grants for her work in public schools and community sites and is a Juried Teaching Artist through the Vermont Arts Council. Projects include teacher trainings, school residencies, dance in libraries, restorative justice and correctional facilities programs as well as community-inspired and inclusive original productions. She received her Ed.M from Harvard Graduate School of Education and teaches at the Dance Factory in Springfield, Vermont.
dancewithashley@gmail.com
Erin Maile O'Keefe
Erin Maile O’Keefe is a grateful settler on the indigenous lands of the Sokoki Abenaki in Southern Vermont. Born and raised in Hawai’i, Erin Maile is supported and nourished by her Hawaiian ancestry, culture and continued mentorship from her elders. As an educator, trainer and community artist/activator, she has developed kinesthetic, multigenerational curriculums that facilitate group inclusion, connection, co-authorship and empathy. Erin’s background in dance, theater and architecture has made the crafting of temporal spaces and community arts engagement at the core of much of her work.
Jeannette RodrÃguez PÃneda
Jeannette is an afro indigenous visual storyteller and education designer residing between Kiskeya/Ayiti and Lenape Mohican land. Using ancestral plant-based image making as a means of remembering soils called home, their work explores the tension of narratives within intergenerational trauma. They collaborate with cultural institutions to design art and ecology programs that decolonize canon based models of learning through a decentralized approach. Their pedagogical thought extends to educational frameworks such as 'The Teaching Artist Companion to Aesthetic Perspectives: Attributes of Excellence in Arts for Change’, 'Meditative Curriculum’ , ‘How to hold the whole of a human’, with MoMA and the Studio Museum in Harlem on historical black erasure, the preservation of memory and the internal somatic shifts of abolition. They are also a licensed DEC backcountry guide, leading free bilingual hikes through Movimiento, an initiative to strengthen BIPOC connection to land.
Gowri Savoor
CO-CHAIR
Gowri is a visual-teaching artist, whose practice includes sculpture, illustration, and writing. Born in England, she moved to the US in 2007. She has been a practicing teaching artist for over 20 years and is the instigator of A River of Light, a movement committed to bringing art to the community through participatory art events, installations, and lantern parades. She is also the co-founder of Teaching Artists Connect, an organization providing creative and inspiring professional development workshops for teaching artists and educators in North Carolina and beyond.
Gowri is a visual-teaching artist, whose practice includes sculpture, illustration, and writing. Born in England, she moved to the US in 2007. She has been a practicing teaching artist for over 20 years and is the instigator of A River of Light, a movement committed to bringing art to the community through participatory art events, installations, and lantern parades. She is also the co-founder of Teaching Artists Connect, an organization providing creative and inspiring professional development workshops for teaching artists and educators in North Carolina and beyond.
Ally Tufenkjian
Ally has devoted most of her life to facilitating programs and processes with youth and adults to work towards a more creative, just and equitable world. She is humbled and grateful to be a Program Manager at Rockwood Leadership Institute, an organization amplifying and nourishing the capacity of social justice and movement leaders, and to serve on the Selectboard of her town of Hartford, VT. A theater Teaching Artist at heart, Ally aims to use artistic practices to build cultures of care and community with others.
Linda Whelihan
Linda is an artist and educator who specializes in engaging individuals and building community through shared art experiences. Her background as a teacher, museum educator, and artist informs her practice and she excels at creating art-full experiences that make lasting impressions. In her studio, she employs a variety of media and art-making techniques including puppetry, creative bookmaking and recycling. She has exhibited and conducted art-making workshops for teachers and students in the Baltimore/Washington area and in Vermont where she has lived since 2007.
SUPPORT STAFF
Support Staff
Jasper Padfoot Worbill
Jasper joined the Lab team as a support specialist in October 2019. He arrived with a long pedigree of success at providing insightful and nurturing counsel. Jasper specializes at inspiring thoughtful, empathetic listening among the individuals and teams he works with. He is also well known for inspiring clear minds and bold thinking among his co-workers, especially during NPW sessions (Nature Planning Walks). He holds top credentials with, among others, the AKC, GATB (Goldens Are The Best), and BFF (Best Friends Forever).
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