Leadership in Threads

About Leadership in Threads

Dr. Abi Paytoe Gbayee and Dr. Yichien Cooper invite listeners into reflective conversations with art educators and creative leaders who are shaping the future of the field. This podcast grows out of their collaborative research project Leadership in Threads: A Fiber and AI-Enhanced Exploration. Through intimate dialogue, the series stitches together stories of leadership journeys, personal values, and creative processes from elected art education leaders across the National Art Education Association.

Publisher

Dr. Abi Paytoe Gbayee and Dr. Yichien Cooper

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Feb 2026

Latest episode

15 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

6 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   15 Oct 2026

   Leadership in Threads: A Conversation in Art Education with Kristi Oliver

   Our Threads of Leadership: Conversations in Art Education podcast invites you to join us in reflective conversations with art educators and creative leaders who are shaping the future of the field. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Kristi Oliver to explore a leadership journey shaped by curiosity, encouragement, and the invitation to come along. Drawing on her work at Davis Publications and her service as the National Art Education Association (NAEA) Eastern Region Vice President, Kristi shares how volunteering with Art All-State, asking questions, and finding mentors led her into state and national leadership. From the Seattle postcard that put a bug in her ear to the friendships built through countless board meetings, she reflects on making leadership more transparent and accessible, finding the courage to have difficult conversations, and valuing every person at the table. With warmth and humor, she also talks about visual notes, her therapy dog Iris, the pressures facing volunteer leaders, and how AI can support the work while keeping human relationships at its center. Hosted by Dr. Abi Paytoe Gbayee and Dr. Yichien Cooper, this podcast is part of our collaborative research project Leadership in Threads: A Fiber and AI-Enhanced Exploration. Through intimate dialogue, the series stitches together stories of leadership journeys, personal values, and creative processes from elected art education leaders across NAEA. Resources Mentioned: National Art Education Association (NAEA) (https://www.arteducators.org/) Massachusetts Art Education Association (MAEA) (https://massarted.com/) Art All-State Massachusetts (https://massarted.com/art-all-state/) Davis Publications (https://www.davisart.com/) Dare to Lead by Brené Brown (https://brenebrown.com/book/dare-to-lead/) The Visual Notes Project by Lisa Kay (https://www.davisart.com/sites/default/assets/File/visual-notes-project.pdf) NAEA Position Statement on Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI-generated Imagery in Visual Arts Education (https://www.arteducators.org/resources/platform-and-position-statements/naea-position-statements-curriculum/1303-naea-position-statement-on-use-of-artificial-intelligence-ai-and-ai-generated-imagery-in-visual-arts-education/) A special thanks goes out to Emilie Cooper for the episode art design and Ben Cooper for the into and outro music. Your contributions have elevated this work immensely. This podcast was originally recorded November 12, 2025.

2. 

   18 Jul 2026

   Leadership in Threads: A Conversation in Art Education with Mark Graham

   Our Threads of Leadership: Conversations in Art Education podcast invites you to join us in reflective conversations with art educators and creative leaders who are shaping the future of the field. In this episode, we sit down with Mark Graham, the National Art Education Association (NAEA) Pacific Region Vice President-Elect*, to explore a leadership journey grounded in community, curiosity, perspective, and the belief that art education serves “all the children of the world.” Mark reflects on his long involvement with NAEA, including conference presentations, the Research Commission, regional leadership, and the professional conversations that sustain art educators who may be working alone in their schools. He also shares how his experiences as an art department chair, district arts coordinator, higher education faculty member, AP Art and Design reader and leader, and internationally engaged art educator have shaped the way he thinks about advocacy, children’s artistic potential, and the need to broaden who is represented in classrooms, curriculum, and leadership. Throughout the conversation, Mark offers rich metaphors of gardens, lichens, weaving, and tapestry, reminding us that leadership is often relational, generative, symbiotic, and strengthened by the threads beside us. Hosted by Dr. Abi Paytoe Gbayee and Dr. Yichien Cooper, this podcast is part of our collaborative research project Leadership in Threads: A Fiber and AI-Enhanced Exploration. Through intimate dialogue, the series stitches together stories of leadership journeys, personal values, and creative processes from elected art education leaders across NAEA. Resources Mentioned: National Art Education Association (NAEA): ⁠arteducators.org⁠ (https://www.arteducators.org/) NAEA Research Commission: https://www.arteducators.org/community/committees/research-commission/ (https://www.arteducators.org/community/committees/research-commission/) NAEA Divisions and Regions: https://www.arteducators.org/community/divisions-and-regions/ (https://www.arteducators.org/community/divisions-and-regions/) International Society for Education Through Art (InSEA): https://www.insea.org/ (https://www.insea.org/) College Board AP Art and Design Program: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/art-design-program (https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/art-design-program) Utah Art Education Association (UAEA): https://www.utaharteducation.org/ (https://www.utaharteducation.org/) A special thanks goes out to Emilie Cooper for the episode art design and Ben Cooper for the into and outro music. Your contributions have elevated this work immensely. This podcast was originally recorded November 11, 2025. *Since the time of this recording Mark has become the sitting Pacific Region Vice President.

3. 

   1 Jul 2026

   Leadership in Threads: A Conversation in Art Education with Jeanie Guilbert

   Our Threads of Leadership: Conversations in Art Education podcast invites you to join us in reflective conversations with art educators and creative leaders who are shaping the future of the field. In this episode, we sit down with Jeanie Guilbert, the National Art Education Association (NAEA) Middle Level Division Director, to explore a leadership journey rooted in curiosity, advocacy, community, and a deep commitment to access. Jeanie shares how a path that began in fashion design and elementary art education led her into middle level teaching, higher education, state committees, gifted arts programming, and national leadership. Along the way, she reflects on the moments that taught her to step into the conversation, from seeking more relevant professional learning for art educators to building community partnerships, following policy decisions, and learning how to advocate for every student. She also discusses servant leadership as a practice of bringing people with you, the importance of seeing leadership through “empathy glasses,” and murals as an image of collective voice, reminding us that leadership is less about hierarchy and more about listening, representation, and making space for others to think beyond. Hosted by Dr. Abi Paytoe Gbayee and Dr. Yichien Cooper, this podcast is part of our collaborative research project Leadership in Threads: A Fiber and AI-Enhanced Exploration. Through intimate dialogue, the series stitches together stories of leadership journeys, personal values, and creative processes from elected art education leaders across NAEA. Resources Mentioned: National Art Education Association (NAEA): ⁠arteducators.org⁠ (https://www.arteducators.org/) NAEA Middle Level Division: https://www.arteducators.org/community/divisions-and-regions/ (https://www.arteducators.org/community/divisions-and-regions/) Virginia Department of Education Fine Arts: https://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching-learning-assessment/instruction/fine-arts (https://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching-learning-assessment/instruction/fine-arts) University of Mary Washington College of Education: https://education.umw.edu/ (https://education.umw.edu/) Canstruction: https://www.canstruction.org/ (https://www.canstruction.org/) Declaration of Learning: https://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2013/01/library-signs-declaration-of-learning/ (https://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2013/01/library-signs-declaration-of-learning/) Arts Education Alliance: https://www.arteducators.org/advocacy/arts-education-alliance/ (https://www.arteducators.org/advocacy/arts-education-alliance/) Mural Arts Philadelphia: https://www.muralarts.org/ (https://www.muralarts.org/) Bisa Butler: https://www.bisabutler.com/ (https://www.bisabutler.com/) A special thanks goes out to Emilie Cooper for the episode art design and Ben Cooper for the into and outro music. Your contributions have elevated this work immensely. This podcast was originally recorded November 2, 2025.

4. 

   1 May 2026

   Leadership in Threads: A Conversation in Art Education with Gino Molfino

   Our Leadership in Threads podcast invites you to join us in reflective conversations with art educators and creative leaders who are shaping the future of the field. In this episode, we sit down with Gino Molfino, the National Art Education Association Supervision and Administration Division Director Elect, to reflect on leadership as something that begins long before a title appears. Gino shares how early access to rich arts experiences, strong teacher mentors, museum programs, and a willingness to keep saying yes helped shape his path from student, to classroom educator, to district arts leader, to national service. He talks about the values that guide his work, including equity, access, collaboration, creative problem solving, and a deep commitment to honoring the human capital of teachers, students, families, and communities. Throughout the conversation, Gino reflects on the slow, strategic work of leadership, comparing it to steering a cruise ship rather than driving a speedboat. He discusses the importance of sketchbooks and visual thinking as tools for listening, processing, and responding to complex challenges, and he considers how sustainable systems, thoughtful collaboration, and clear through-lines can help arts programs continue to serve students over time. With humor, care, and honesty, Gino reminds us that leadership in art education is not about having every answer, but about asking better questions, bringing the right people together, and keeping students at the center of the work. Hosted by Dr. Abi Paytoe Gbayee and Dr. Yichien Cooper, this podcast is part of our collaborative research project Leadership in Threads: A Fiber and AI-Enhanced Exploration. Through intimate dialogue, the series stitches together stories of leadership journeys, personal values, and creative processes from elected art education leaders across NAEA.Resources Mentioned:National Art Education Association (NAEA): https://www.arteducators.org/ (https://www.arteducators.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) NAEA Divisions and Regions, including Supervision and Administration Division: https://www.arteducators.org/community/divisions-and-regions/ (https://www.arteducators.org/community/divisions-and-regions/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) NAEA Supervision & Administration 2026 Spring Forum Webinar Series: https://www.arteducators.org/event/naea-supervision-administration-2026-webinar-series/2026-05-06/ (https://www.arteducators.org/event/naea-supervision-administration-2026-webinar-series/2026-05-06/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Maryland Art Education Association (MAEA): https://www.marylandarted.org/ (https://www.marylandarted.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Howard County Public School System: https://www.hcpss.org/ (https://www.hcpss.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA): https://www.mica.edu/ (https://www.mica.edu/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) National Gallery of Art: https://www.nga.gov/ (https://www.nga.gov/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Baltimore Museum of Art: https://artbma.org/ (https://artbma.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Jorge Lucero: https://www.jorgelucero.com/ (https://www.jorgelucero.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Jorge Lucero, Conceptual Art & Teaching: https://www.jorgelucero.com/conceptual-art-and-teaching (https://www.jorgelucero.com/conceptual-art-and-teaching?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Jorge Lucero, Teacher as Conceptual Artist: https://www.jorgelucero.com/weg (https://www.jorgelucero.com/weg?utm_source=chatgpt.com) A special thanks goes out to Emilie Cooper for the episode art design and Ben Cooper for the intro and outro music. Your contributions have elevated this work immensely.

5. 

   5 Mar 2026

   Leadership in Threads: A Conversation in Art Education with Jane Montero

   Our Leadership in Threads: Conversations in Art Education podcast invites you to join us in reflective conversations with art educators and creative leaders who are shaping the future of the field. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jane Montero, the National Art Education Association (NAEA) Middle Level Division Director Elect,  to reflect on the unexpected moment that shifted her career from advertising art director to art educator and eventually into leadership at the state, national, and international levels. Jane shares how programs like the NAEA School for Art Leaders (SAL) helped shape her leadership path and discusses the values that guide her work, including honesty, authenticity, empathy, and the courage to keep showing up even after setbacks. Throughout the conversation, Jane also reflects on navigating the lingering effects of the pandemic in education, the importance of relationships and collaboration in leadership, and the ways she continues to grow intellectually, emotionally, and creatively through reading, research, and artmaking. She closes with thoughtful advice for emerging leaders about staying involved, embracing opportunities even when they feel uncomfortable, and maintaining balance between leadership commitments and personal life. Hosted by Dr. Abi Paytoe Gbayee and Dr. Yichien Cooper, this podcast is part of our collaborative research project Leadership in Threads: A Fiber and AI-Enhanced Exploration. Through intimate dialogue, the series stitches together stories of leadership journeys, personal values, and creative processes from elected art education leaders across NAEA. Resources Mentioned: National Art Education Association (NAEA): ⁠arteducators.org⁠ (https://www.arteducators.org/) NAEA School for Art Leaders (SAL): https://www.arteducators.org/events-and-opportunities/school-for-art-leaders/ (https://www.arteducators.org/events-and-opportunities/school-for-art-leaders/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Michigan Art Education Association (MAEA): https://www.miarted.org/ (https://www.miarted.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Book: Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us (Susan Magsamen & Ivy Ross): https://www.yourbrainonart.com/your-brain-on-art-book (https://www.yourbrainonart.com/your-brain-on-art-book?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ArtCenter College of Design: https://www.artcenter.edu/ (https://www.artcenter.edu/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) USC Rossier Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT): https://rossier.usc.edu/programs/find-compare-programs/master-arts-teaching (https://rossier.usc.edu/programs/find-compare-programs/master-arts-teaching?utm_source=chatgpt.com) A special thanks goes out to Emilie Cooper for the episode art design and Ben Cooper for the into and outro music. Your contributions have elevated this work immensely.

6. 

   1 Feb 2026

   Leadership in Threads: A Conversation in Art Education with Reilly Powers

   Our Leadership in Threads: Conversations in Art Education podcast invites you to join us in reflective conversations with art educators and creative leaders who are shaping the future of the field. Hosted by Dr. Abi Paytoe Gbayee and Dr. Yichien Cooper, this podcast is part of our collaborative research project Leadership in Threads: A Fiber and AI-Enhanced Exploration. Through intimate dialogue, the series stitches together stories of leadership journeys, personal values, and creative processes from elected art education leaders across the National Art Education Association (NAEA). In this inspiring episode we visit with Reilly Powers, the NAEA Preservice Division Director to explore her dynamic leadership journey through art education. From being a passionate student leader at Miami University to serving on national committees and advocating for equity and voice, Reilly shares how personal challenges and early teaching experiences have shaped her growth. With heart and humor, she reflects on learning boundaries, building community, and leading with empathy, plus there are some unforgettable metaphors about dogs, gardens, and bees. Resources Mentioned: National Art Education Association (NAEA): arteducators.org (https://www.arteducators.org/) Ohio Art Education Association (OAEA): ohioarted.com (https://www.ohioarted.com/) A special thanks goes out to Emilie Cooper for the episode art design and Ben Cooper for the into and outro music. Your contributions have elevated this work immensely.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Contact Leadership in Threads

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.