Christopher Anderson has been a leader in arts education for almost 30 years. Throughout his career, Dr. Anderson has worked to raise awareness about the value of arts programs in public schools and universities. He also advocates for the arts' significance in society and its impact on our economy. Dr. Anderson is a member of the Arts Education Task Force for the Texas Cultural Trust and has played a crucial role in the development of the Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences as a member of the board of directors of the Lubbock Entertainment and Performing Arts Association.
As the Director of Visual and Performing Arts in the Arlington ISD, Christopher was pivotal in the passage and implementation of the 2019 district bond that included over $140 million for the arts out of a $966 million bond package. He also was a leader in the construction of the Arlington ISD Center for Visual and Performing Arts, a $43 million facility that provides state-of-the-art spaces for both visual and performing arts.
Dr. Anderson is recognized for his efforts in promoting equitable access to the arts, which includes securing substantial funding for arts programs from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade as well as acquiring millions of dollars of equipment for classrooms. His work has also helped establish unique opportunities for students in the Arlington ISD beyond their academic years, achieved through building strong relationships with donors and the community. Christopher advocates the idea that all arts access is for all and serves as a leader in the push to develop programs that center around not only performance but also technical careers in the arts.
Before his tenure as a district administrator, Christopher served as the Director of Bands at Arkansas Tech University. He spent 8 years as the director of the Goin’ Band from Raiderland at Texas Tech University during the Mike Leach era. He has also served as a clinician nationally and internationally, including a residency at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He has held faculty positions at Stephen F. Austin State University and Abilene Christian University. Christopher began his career at Keller High School near Fort Worth, Texas.
Dr. Anderson holds a doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin, a master’s degree from Northwestern University, and a bachelor’s degree from Abilene Christian University. His wife Amy is a Clinical Professor of Nursing at Baylor University, and they currently reside with their family in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.
Department Contact:
Craig Needham
Assistant Director - Performing Arts
(682) 867-9742
cneedha3@aisd.net
Craig Needham is serving as the Assistant Director of Fine Arts over Performing Arts in Arlington ISD in Arlington, Tx. Mr. Needham has a bachelor’s in Music Education from the University of North Texas and has a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Lamar University.
Mr. Needham moved to Administration after 28 years as a Head Orchestra Director. Mr. Needham’s groups have consistently won top honors at evaluations and competitions in Texas and around the country. The Berkner High School Symphony Orchestra was named the TMEA High School String Honor Orchestra for 2006-2007. Most recently, the Berkner Symphony Orchestra performed in Chicago at the 2016 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic where they had the opportunity to collaborate and perform with the Canadian Brass. At both Berkner and McKinney Boyd High Schools, Mr. Needham’s collaborations included conducting the musical, joint concerts with the choirs, and developing multiple Full Orchestras at each school.
In 2003, Mr. Needham was awarded the Marjorie Keller Young Teacher Award, given to him by the Texas chapter of the American String Teachers Association. In 2009, Mr. Needham was selected to be the Star Teacher of the Year for Richardson ISD. Mr. Needham has served in leadership capacities as TMEA Region Chair, UIL Sight Reading Committee Chair, TMEA Honor Orchestra Committee, the UIL Music Advisory Committee, and the UIL Prescribed Music List Committee. Mr. Needham is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Orchestra Directors Association, Mu Omicron, and the Texas Adjudicators Association. Mr. Needham is a Past President of the Texas Orchestra Directors Association and a Past Orchestra Division Vice-President for the Texas Music Educators Association. He has served as the Orchestra Division VP for the Texas Music Adjudicators Association and now serves as its President Elect.
Mr. Needham’s entire family consists of educators as his wife, Susan, is an Early Childhood teacher at Dartmouth Elementary is Richardson, his oldest daughter, Kayla, has been a Middle School Orchestra Director, and his youngest daughter, Sydney, is a 1st grade teacher at Willow Wood Elementary in Melissa ISD. When he is not teaching, Mr. Needham enjoys playing golf, camping in his RV, and spending time with his family including his amazing 1st granddaughter, Annalynn.
Linh Nguyen is a graduate of The University of Texas at Arlington, where he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Ceramics and his M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. Linh has over 29 years of experience as an educator working in the public schools, where he served as an art teacher at Arlington High School, AISD Visual Arts Curriculum Coordinator and is currently serving as the Assistant Director of Fine Arts over the Visual Arts program.
As the Assistant Director, Linh’s responsibilities include the development of curriculum and instruction for K-12 visual arts, designing and implementing of professional development and district initiatives, coordinating community outreach programs, and establishing district wide art exhibitions to showcase student work. Linh was instrumental in launching the centralized funding system for the visual arts, where every child was fully funded and had equitable access to resources and supplies. As part of the 2014 Bond, Linh was on the design team for the Fine Arts Dual Language Academy and Center for Visual and Performing Arts, where he designed a state-of-the-art classroom space and world class art gallery. Linh’s work with the community has provided the opportunity for AISD to acquire its first major art exhibition featuring art prints of nationally acclaimed artist Jacob Lawrence, valuing nearly $1M at the CVPA Art Gallery. This opportunity was in conjunction with the Arlington Museum of Art 2021-2022 30 Americans exhibition. In addition, Linh was able to acquire artworks donated by the Dallas Cowboys valued at $30,000 as part of the permanent collection at the CVPA and initiated the Summer Emerging Artist Program to promote local artists in the community.
At the state and national level, Linh serves as the president for the Texas Art Education Association and is an active member of the National Art Education Association,Texas Fine Arts Administrators and Arlington Art Education Association. He co-chaired the 2016 and 2023 TAEA Conference and presented at both the TAEA State Visual Art Scholastic Event and the 2020 NAEA Conference. He also serves as a liaison to the Arlington Museum of Art and is a member of the Arlington MLK Executive Board, where he chairs the MLK art contest. Linh’s effort as the Assistant Director of Fine Arts is to encourage teachers and students to gain a deeper appreciation and love for the arts by providing them with opportunities for growth and success as artists.
Linh resides in Arlington with his wife, Jennifer, who is a teacher at Arlington High School. They have two sons and a daughter who attend Arlington schools. When not spending time with his family, Linh loves to fish, cook and create on the potter’s wheel.
Department Contact:
Barbara Keaton
Coordinator - Elementary & Choral Music
(682) 867-9743
bkeaton@aisd.net
Barbara Keaton has been with the Arlington school district since 1989 teaching general music at Johns, Goodman, and Ashworth elementary schools as well as directing the auditioned all-city choir now known as the Arlington Children’s Chorus. She received her BMEd and MMEd degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, has taught elementary through college in Texas and Virginia, and has presented workshops in the US and Canada.
A member of TMEA, she has served in various capacities and has presented at TMEA conventions which includes co-directing the Arlington Children’s Chorus as a 2008 TMEA honor choir. Awards include AWARE, Bayard H. Friedman, MLK Education, Teacher of the Year(s), PTA Life Member, and other community recognitions.
She and her husband, Allen, a former federal accountant/negotiator, have two sons Eric (Kathryn) and Craig (Bonnie) and four busy and amazing grandchildren who are active in sports, the arts, and their studies.
Mrs. Keaton currently serves the district as Fine Arts Coordinator for Elementary and Choral Music. Included in her duties is the oversight of 52 elementary music programs, the music and piano programs at AISD’s Fine Arts Dual Language Academies, the Arlington Children’s Chorus, secondary choirs, and community performance opportunities for elementary and secondary performing arts groups. She is an advocate for quality music education integrated into other subject areas and beginning in the formative years. This enables students to experience music as they learn, play, create, and perform.
Micah Green is the Fine Arts Coordinator of Theatre & Dance for Arlington ISD and is a member of TxETA, TDEA and TFAA. Micah received his Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre from Oklahoma City University and his Master’s of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from The University of Texas at Arlington.
Prior to joining the Fine Arts Administration team, Micah taught for ten years at Arlington High School, which also happens to be his alma mater. While serving on the Colt faculty, he began as a Speech teacher before transitioning over to become the Director of Theatre. During his time as the Director of Theatre, Micah produced countless plays and musicals, as well as achieved a plethora of OAP District Championships and numerous advancements to the Regional OAP contest level. Many of his students have gone on to become educators, as well as industry professionals, even starring on Broadway! Micah was named the Arlington HS Teacher of the Year in 2016, the Kiwanis Woodrow Counts High School Teacher of the Year in 2017, the Dallas Theater Center Distinguished Educator of the Year Award in 2018, named a “Distinguished Colt” by the Arlington HS Alumni Association in 2018 and was the school district’s central administration “Employee of the Month” for April 2024.
Micah began his path of performing right here in Arlington at his schools and at Theatre Arlington. While in college, he started working as a professional actor, becoming a proud member of the Actor's Equity Association. Upon graduation, he moved to New York City to begin his career in the entertainment industry. During this chapter of life, Micah performed in musicals all over the country, sang with various symphonies, and even had a stint sailing the high seas with Disney Cruise Lines. After deciding to put performing aside, Micah began work as a casting assistant with Binder Casting, working on numerous broadway shows and national tours.
Micah continues to perform every now and then with local theatre companies, including Theatre Arlington, Uptown Players and Lyric Stage. His pride and joy is his “chug”, Nugget. Above all, Micah places a high value on giving back to the artistic and educational community, especially within Arlington; a place where he grew up and was molded into the artist he is today.
Rhonda Ceaser has served the Arlington Independent School District for the past 25 years, and her career with AISD is fostered by her passion for education and care for others. In 2018, she won an AISD customer service award for her dedication to the district. Her colleagues wrote, “She is wonderful at not only responding to our needs but anticipating things that we will need even before we ask.”
Her career with the district started as a teacher's assistant and guidance technician. She then went on to serve as an elementary campus secretary at Bebensee where she was honored with receiving the Paraprofessional of the Year award. Rhonda continued with AISD in finance and worked for over 5 years in Accounts Payable. Most recently, she supported the Curriculum and Instruction Department as a secretary for RLA and Social Studies. Currently, she assists Dr. Anderson, Fine Arts Director with scheduling and maintaining his executive calendar, tracking local budget and bond purchases, processing travel requests, vendor applications, instrument repairs and managing the Private Lessons Program. She is a dedicated team member who brings versatile experience and is excited about being a valuable addition to this already fantastic team.
Rhonda was born and raised in Louisiana and is a proud Cajun. She has three children, one grandchild, and enjoys taking the time to make memories with her family and traveling home to Louisiana as often as possible. Rhonda enjoys being creative whether it's event planning or DIY projects. In her free time Rhonda recharges by staying active outdoors. She enjoys swimming, canoeing, boating, or just being out on the lake or beach. She feels most at home on the water but appreciates a long walk or nature hike as well.
Teresa Davenport absolutely loves her job with AISD and "HER TEAM” (family). She has been with Arlington Independent School District for 11.5 years. She has worked six of those years in the Fine Arts Department. Teresa’s duties as secretary include, requesting and processing purchases for the department, elementary visual arts & music, secondary visual arts and reconciliation of the supply budget accounts for all of these. She manages the calendar for the Visual Arts Assistant Director and makes arrangements for the many art shows within the district. She handles the scheduling and approval of transportation requests and approvals for Visual and Performing Arts. And of course “other duties as assigned”. Teresa could go on and on about the many duties she gets to do every day.
Teresa attended Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Goodwell, Oklahoma where she met her husband of 36 years. He was a football player and she was a cheerleader (cheesy). Shortly after graduating college, they moved to the Metroplex and have lived here for 32 years. Their two grown children attended Elementary, Junior High and High School in Arlington ISD (Go Cougars). They have five grandchildren and try to stay busy attending their activities.
