Matt Borek, Ph.D.

Director of the Center for the Advancement of Art Education

I began my career as a music teacher, earning my undergraduate degrees in music performance and music education from Ithaca College. I received a Master’s degree in Educational Research, Measurement, and Evaluation, and my Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, both from Boston College. I taught for six years, in the Boston area and overseas, plus I have worked for three university-based teacher preparation programs. I worked directly for two state departments of education and have consulted for five additional states, on issues ranging from educator effectiveness and development, alternative licensure, teacher leadership, and data dashboards. I have written and presented on topics including assessment literacy, curriculum reform, and arts education policy. My research interests include elevating the arts through a better understanding of arts learning and assessment. I believe the arts possess many of the skills that are now being seen as in high-demand, and the field is ready to assume a greater leadership role in American education. As Director of the Center for the Advancement of Art Education, I want to develop materials that strengthen the profession, support teachers, and shift conversations around the future of learning. In the past, I have served on the Board of a local education policy group called Nevada Succeeds. I was also selected to be a member of a small team of international arts teachers who developed standards and benchmarks to be used by all American curriculum schools located overseas.