Two from LPS chosen to serve on national art education board

Two Lincoln Public Schools educators have been chosen to serve on the National Art Education Association (NAEA) Board of Directors - a rare if not unheard of accomplishment for one school district.

Lorinda Rice, LPS curriculum specialist for visual art, and Bob Reeker, K-5 visual art specialist and technology leader at Elliott Elementary School, began serving on the 14-member board in March at the NAEA National Convention in Boston. Rice also was elected by the board to serve on the NAEA Executive/Finance Committee.The NAEA serves more than 18,000 members.

Rice and Reeker have collaborated and served together on various state and national boards for nearly 15 years. Ten years ago, they served as co-presidents of the Nebraska Art Teachers Association. They served together on the NAEA Professional Learning and Research Group. Their research has been presented at numerous conferences and published in Art Education Journal. They also were co-chairpersons of the 2017 NATA Fall Conference, held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Reeker said he and Rice “have a strong bond as collaborators and leaders.” Rice added, “The partnership that Bob and I have is one in which we can give alternative thoughts and ideas, we are open to thinking through each other’s viewpoint and find a common ground to fulfill what is best for our art education goals.”

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