THE AIeG TEAM

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Casey is a  full time drummer and musician. He loves sharing music with younger generations and teaches it as a vehicle to learn math, language, history, culture, philosophy and so much more. 

Simon Benko is a world traveling artist who explored 27 countries in 2025. With a background across the arts, he is a photographer, storyteller, and multi-media artist. When he is not creating art, or traveling, he serves as a Director of Digital Media and Marketing at the National Neon Sign Museum in The Dalles, Oregon

 Christopher was born in Michoacán, known as the soul of Mexico. This land is filled with mysticism, especially in its rural and Indigenous communities. It’s a mysticism that you don’t just feel—it’s passed down, a deep way of seeing the world that goes beyond what’s visible and, in many ways, defines who we are as Mexicans. For Chris, art comes from that way of seeing. It’s not just an image; it’s a story, an echo of our ancestors, a living testimony to the culture, heritage, and influence each generation has left behind. 

 Erin believes that human connection is nurtured through creative exploration and that art making is an innate expression that moves through us .  With a bachelor's degree in Elem. Education,  her journey has evolved from teacher to maker to entrepreneur in owning her own hat business.  Erin brings tactile curiosity to the class setting through projects that include textile, paper, found objects, movement, written word, and pattern.  Together, she wants to explore the sensory benefits of craft and the pure joy of making. 

Growing up in Michigan, Marge embarked on a journey westward after college, eventually returning to school to earn a teaching license. She's called Hood River home for the past 18 years, where she cherished raising her now adult daughters in this stunning area. Throughout her teaching career, Marge encountered numerous wonderful opportunities, from managing a contained classroom to guest teaching. 

With a Master's in Education, a former elementary school teacher, and 30 years experience working with children, Nicole has a deep-rooted passion for teaching hands-on art experiences that inspire curiosity, exploration and a connection to nature and science. Her hands-on art curriculum provides modeling and scaffolding, clear criteria and attainable expectations so students feel confident and successful . 

Molly discovered her creative voice as a freelance floral designer and that taught her how essential creative practice is to a sense of self.  Earning her teaching credential with a focus in social justice deepened her desire to help students see themselves as makers, unconventional thinkers and the architects of their own  stories. Molly believes the  best art lessons foster self-reflections, vulnerability, confidence and empathy. She thrives on bridging imagination and implementation and meeting students where they are.

Douglas is a set designer of 30 years, a maker of games and music, he writes plays and acts.  Douglas has taught set design to high school and middle school for 6 years in the area and created original children's theater with ameliorate sets, costumes and props.  With experience on the SEL team Douglas helped develop and elaborate on what it means to team teach, partner teach and collaborate with artists across mediums and makes transdisciplinary learning possible.

 Madison Hayashi is a small business owner, mother, multi-talented artist and 3rd generation Japanese-American woman creating a variation of original artwork: Japanese sumi-ink paintings, poetry, leathercraft, wood-burning and jewelry.  Her connection with nature and animals has led to her most creative passion by working with and teaching the humble tradition of leather craft.  

Harvest is an artist, writer, and maker who designs workshops that spark curiosity, build confidence, and invite new ways of seeing. Working across ceramics, weaving, installation, embroidery, text and mixed media, she encourages students to follow their instincts and create work that feels meaningful to them. With 15 years of teaching experience, an MFA from Columbia University, and training in TESOL and anti-oppression pedagogy, Harvest believes in process over perfection and in art-making as a practice that expands our sense of what is possible. 

Molly grew up in Cincinnati Ohio in a very art forward household, always creating and leaning on art when times were rough. Later on  she appreciated and realized the importance art had on her own life, and felt the need to share this with her own kids and others as well. Molly feels the act of making and creating art is integral to development, in so many ways; you are using both sides of the brain and making connections in the brain and as a way of describing the world, to name a few.

As a retired child and family therapist, Amy finds nothing more empowering—or more essential for personal growth—than expressive, exploratory art making. Art making promotes self awareness, acceptance, problem solving, healing and overall wellbeing. It is both her mission and delight to design and implement immersive, joyful, brain-nourishing, and collaborative creative experiences for children and adults.