Theresa Gillespie

Chair of Graduate Student Retention

Hi everyone, I’m Theresa Gillespie. I’m a Chair of Graduate Student Retention here at AOEU. I connected with Jessica Balsley years ago through a Professional Learning Network and was thrilled to join the team in 2013 and begin my dream job!

During my teaching career, I loved giving my students the chance to let their creativity shine in various art mediums and see the pride in their faces as they learned new techniques and expressed themselves artistically. In the later part of my time in the classroom, I enjoyed showing students how to use technology as another art tool or medium.

Outside of my work with AOEU, the majority of my free time is spent with my family. My husband and I have three adult children and are raising our two beautiful granddaughters, AninaMarie and Sammy. Our house is filled with toddler toys, noise, and crayon-marked walls but also lots and lots of love! When I get time for myself, I enjoy listening to audiobooks and creating as much art as possible. I’ve never met an art medium I didn’t like; however, my current favorites are mixed-media painting and fiber arts.

Professional Accomplishments: