Elevate Student Voice: Bringing Art, History, and Civics Into the Classroom

About the Presenters

Natalie Sparks Johnson has over 30 years of experience teaching art, engineering, public speaking, and many other subjects in Utah, Australia, and Belgium. She teaches at SHAPE American High School in Belgium and is a USIP 2024 Peace Teacher, Hope Street Fellow, and KnowledgeWorks Leading Change Fellow. Natalie began her career in Salt Lake City and spent 13 years teaching in Australia before returning to the U.S. to teach in the Navajo Nation at Monument Valley High School—an experience she calls her most rewarding.

She holds a BA from Southern Utah University, an MEd in guidance and counseling from the University of Queensland, and an MEd in education policy from SUU. Her work centers on culturally responsive education, global citizenship, and empowering student voice through project-based learning. Outside the classroom, she advocates for education policy and enjoys hiking and exploring global cultures with her husband.

Melanie Adsit is a museum educator and education and access consultant. She has trained staff and helped develop programs at a wide range of institutions, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Guggenheim Museum, the 92nd Street Y, the Queens Botanic Garden, the Noguchi Museum, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and the Andy Warhol Museum. Melanie has also provided staff training and program development in the arts for the New York City Department of Education and contributed extensively to the Special Education section of Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts.

Most recently, Melanie worked as Senior Manager of Youth, Family and Inclusion Initiatives at the Guggenheim Museum, where she established the Guggenheim for All program and oversaw the development of the Guggenheim for All Toolkit. Melanie holds a BA in art and psychology from Boston University and an MA in art and art education from Teachers College, Columbia University where she is currently a doctoral candidate.

Rich Bradway is the Digital Innovation Officer at the Norman Rockwell Museum, where he plays a pivotal role in shaping the institution’s digital strategy and enhancing the visitor experience through technology. Before joining the Norman Rockwell Museum, Rich worked for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, where he honed his skills in multimedia production, digital storytelling, and product management. At the museum, Rich has spearheaded various initiatives, including the development of the Virtual Museum platform, which allows global audiences to interact with Rockwell’s iconic works through immersive experiences.

Rich is also an advocate for community engagement, frequently collaborating with artists, educators, and technologists to foster meaningful connections between art and the public. Outside of his role at the museum, Rich is deeply passionate about land conservation and currently serves as the President of the Stockbridge Land Trust in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.