Administrative Staff
Joel Franken – Founder
Joel is a National Board Certified Teacher and was among the first in the nation to receive this certification in Early Adolescence and Young Adult Art in 1996. Mr. Franken was also elected to serve on the 63 member National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in 1999 and served till his retirement from secondary art education in 2002. He has served as the Art Educators of Iowa President from 1994-96. He was selected their Secondary Educator of the Year in 1989 and their Art Educator of the Year in 1993. Franken is responsible for establishing AEI’s Visual Arts All-State Competition in which the brightest and most artistic secondary visual arts students in the state are recognized. Joel has also served as the chairperson of the Iowa Department of Education “Fine Arts” Outcomes and Assessment Committee which was established in 1992. He received his BA in Art Education from the University of Northern Iowa University and his MA in Art Education from the University of Northeast Missouri State. He was an Iowa State “Da Vinci” Scholar in 1995-1996 which was an US West initiative that created educational experiences using Visual Art teachers collaborating with Chemistry Teachers. Joel is a co-creator of the artsBASICS program. As an artist, Joel’s ceramics and paintings are in private collections in the Midwest. Joel serves on the Figge Art Museum’s Artist Advisory Committee. Joel is married to Diane and they have one daughter, Ann.
Joel recently retired as the Director of the Creative Arts Academy but he has left a lasting legacy.
Joel is a National Board Certified Teacher and was among the first in the nation to receive this certification in Early Adolescence and Young Adult Art in 1996. Mr. Franken was also elected to serve on the 63 member National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in 1999 and served till his retirement from secondary art education in 2002. He has served as the Art Educators of Iowa President from 1994-96. He was selected their Secondary Educator of the Year in 1989 and their Art Educator of the Year in 1993. Franken is responsible for establishing AEI’s Visual Arts All-State Competition in which the brightest and most artistic secondary visual arts students in the state are recognized. Joel has also served as the chairperson of the Iowa Department of Education “Fine Arts” Outcomes and Assessment Committee which was established in 1992. He received his BA in Art Education from the University of Northern Iowa University and his MA in Art Education from the University of Northeast Missouri State. He was an Iowa State “Da Vinci” Scholar in 1995-1996 which was an US West initiative that created educational experiences using Visual Art teachers collaborating with Chemistry Teachers. Joel is a co-creator of the artsBASICS program. As an artist, Joel’s ceramics and paintings are in private collections in the Midwest. Joel serves on the Figge Art Museum’s Artist Advisory Committee. Joel is married to Diane and they have one daughter, Ann.
Joel recently retired as the Director of the Creative Arts Academy but he has left a lasting legacy.
Junior High School Program
Communication & Media Arts |
Dance |
Colleen McCarty-Tomlinson
Colleen Tomlinson teaches Communication and Media Arts courses at The Creative Arts Academy of the Quad Cities and Visual Arts at Eisenhower Elementary. For years as a lead artist, her niche has been large scale collaborative projects. She has engaged community members at Quad City Art’s Metro Arts Youth Apprenticeship Program, The Heritage for Elderly, Disabled or Handicapped, Boys and Girls Club, Hand in Hand, and Figge Art Museum. As an independent artist, her most current series includes a mixed media series illustrating a narrative from her grandfather’s letters during WWII. Tomlinson received her B.A. from Augustana College and Teaching Certification from the University of Iowa. A professional leader, she is Communications Chair, Conference Chair for AEI’s 2021 Fall Conference, and Emerging Excellence Host. She served on the Iowa Department of Education’s Fine Arts Standards Adoption Team and the Statewide Fine Arts Leadership Team. She has passionately supported her district as an artsBASICS board member, Visual Arts and Media Arts Curriculum Team member and Collaborative Teacher Team Guide. Email Colleen |
Linsey Krueger
Brief Introduction Linsey Krueger is our Creative Arts Academy Dance Teacher. She began her teaching career 26 years ago in Davenport, IA in what was then known as The Gruv Factory. She trained under the instruction of many specialized industry professionals, with two of her favorites being her big brothers; Jeremy Knutsen and Lucas Anderson. Being the youngest of 5 siblings (all dancers), she had the opportunity to study a plethora of styles including but not limited to: Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Funk, Lyrical, Tumbling, Pointe, Musical Theatre, Swing, Ballroom, and World Dance. She finds a wonderful uniqueness of expression in the many forms of dance. “Dance your Way to Joy and Healing.” -Zimbabwean Proverb A Deeper Look Linsey holds certificates in Strength and Injury Prevention, Choreography and Composition, Massage Therapy, as well as Introduction to Preschool Dance. Her specialties include: The Science of Choreography, Eccentric Strengthening, Nutrition therapy as it relates to longevity, Movement Therapy as it relates to brain function, and taking deep dives into the common anxieties and setbacks of today’s dancers (both studio and industry). Her college studies were focused heavily on Anatomy, Physiology, Kinesiology and she has the privilege of continuous education through her community with outstanding professionals. Linsey began her professional career in dance at the age of 16 and having spent decades as an industry professional, is honored to bring that level of experience to our public education system. She strives to create a safe space where young artists can truly be themselves and learn how to express themselves with creativity, safety, effectiveness, and purpose. “There are shortcuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them.” Vicki Baum “Dancing is surely the most basic and relevant of all forms of expression. Nothing else can so effectively give outward form to an inner experience.” Lyall Watson |
Music
Margaret Thompson
Margaret Thompson, a Davenport Schools alum, returned to Davenport Schools as the Music Director for the Creative Arts Academy after 12 years teaching both general music and choir. In addition to teaching music at the Creative Arts Academy, Margaret is a children’s choir director at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport. Margaret is an active member of the Iowa Choral Directors Association and served as the 2022-2023 5th and 6th Grade Opus Honor Choir Chair. She has adjudicated solo/ensemble festivals and directed honor choirs in Illinois and Iowa. Margaret frequently performs in local choral ensembles and has maintained a private piano and voice studio. At Davenport North, Margaret was active in band, choir and orchestra. She was the recipient of the John Philip Sousa Band Award in 2007. After graduating from Davenport North High School, Margaret attended Coe College, where she was active in choir, chamber choir, and concert band. She was a member of Mu Phi Epsilon, the music fraternity, and received the Outstanding Future Music Educator Award. She received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education in 2011. Margaret obtained her Masters of Music in Music Education from Kent State University in 2017. Margaret is passionate about social emotional learning and the role music plays in our social emotional well-being. She believes music education plays a vital role in the development of the whole child. |
Theatre
Alex McCarthy
Alex McCarthy was born in Dubuque, Iowa. He graduated from Dubuque Senior High school and Loras College. He was the Managing Director of Trainwreck Productions in Dubuque from 2009-2014. Alex came to Davenport in 2014 to join the staff at Sudlow Intermediate. He started the Drama Club there and has directed two productions. He has worked with Davenport Junior Theatre, Prenzie Players, and Genesius Guild in Davenport. He also has a background in playwriting and two of his original plays have been produced. Email Alex |
Visual Arts
Heidi Hernandez
Heidi Hernandez, a National Board Certified Teacher, teaches Visual Arts and Design courses at The Creative Arts Academy of the Quad Cities. Hernandez is a professional teaching artist and has exhibited her large scale paintings in major cities throughout the midwest including Chicago, Milwaukee, Iowa City and the Quad Cities. She has been included in many group exhibitions and has exhibited her work in solo exhibitions at the FIGGE Art Museum and St. Ambrose University.
Hernandez received her B.A. in Arts Education, K-12, and B.A. in Fine Art from St. Ambrose University, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Minor in Art History. Hernandez was awarded the John W. Schmidt’s Excellence Award in Art and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Hernandez is passionate about bringing the arts into various disciplines. She is an adjunct professor at St. Ambrose University where she teaches an Arts Integration course. The college course provides future elementary classroom teachers the tools necessary to integrate arts into their curriculum. She demonstrates, through various lessons and professional practices, the strength of the visual arts and correlated student engagement within core curricular areas. Hernandez is Chair of Art Educators of Iowa’s Emerging Excellence Program.
She Co-Directs a non profit organization with Colleen Mccarty-Tomlinson, artsBASICS, that provides participating Davenport Community Schools Arts Integration training, lessons, and resources. Hernandez involves her students in many community based collaborations working with organizations such as the FIGGE Art Museum, German American Heritage Center, Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities, Living Land and Waters, Vera French, and Isabel Bloom.
Email Heidi
Heidi Hernandez, a National Board Certified Teacher, teaches Visual Arts and Design courses at The Creative Arts Academy of the Quad Cities. Hernandez is a professional teaching artist and has exhibited her large scale paintings in major cities throughout the midwest including Chicago, Milwaukee, Iowa City and the Quad Cities. She has been included in many group exhibitions and has exhibited her work in solo exhibitions at the FIGGE Art Museum and St. Ambrose University.
Hernandez received her B.A. in Arts Education, K-12, and B.A. in Fine Art from St. Ambrose University, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Minor in Art History. Hernandez was awarded the John W. Schmidt’s Excellence Award in Art and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Hernandez is passionate about bringing the arts into various disciplines. She is an adjunct professor at St. Ambrose University where she teaches an Arts Integration course. The college course provides future elementary classroom teachers the tools necessary to integrate arts into their curriculum. She demonstrates, through various lessons and professional practices, the strength of the visual arts and correlated student engagement within core curricular areas. Hernandez is Chair of Art Educators of Iowa’s Emerging Excellence Program.
She Co-Directs a non profit organization with Colleen Mccarty-Tomlinson, artsBASICS, that provides participating Davenport Community Schools Arts Integration training, lessons, and resources. Hernandez involves her students in many community based collaborations working with organizations such as the FIGGE Art Museum, German American Heritage Center, Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities, Living Land and Waters, Vera French, and Isabel Bloom.
Email Heidi
High School Program
Communication & Media Arts |
Theatre |
Clint Balsar
Clint has been a visual art educator for 21 years. Sixteen of those have been with the Davenport Schools; 5 at Monroe Elementary and 11 at Central High School. He has also taught Digital Photography at Scott Community College for 4 years. During his time at Central, he has helped several students achieve national awards. One of his students received the Best Manipulated Photo in the Portraits of Learning contest sponsored by Tech & Learning magazine. Another student that he instructed received 1st place in the Annual Congressional Art Competition for the First Congressional District of Iowa and had his work displayed in the Madison Cannon Tunnel in Washington, DC. Several of his students have also gone on to prestigious arts schools including the Kansas City Art Institute, Savannah College of Art and Design, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, and Full Sail University. He was recently selected for the 2014 Educators ArtLab to study animation at the Kansas City Art Institute. Clint is an Adobe Certified Expert in both Adobe Photoshop CC and Adobe Premiere Pro CC. He is also an Adobe Certified Instructor in Adobe Photoshop CC, and has recently become the Adobe Campus Leader for the Creative Arts Academy of the Quad Cities. In addition, he is also recognized as a Certified Journalism Educator by the Journalism Education Association and has judged several state and national competitions. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Art Education from Iowa State University and his Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning with Technology from Ashford University. Clint is a member of the National Art Association, the Iowa State Education Association, Art Educators of Iowa and the Iowa Alliance for Arts Education. Additional memberships include the Figge Art Museum, National Association of Photoshop Professionals, Adobe Education Exchange and artsBASICS. He also owns and operates Balsar Photography and Design. His photography has been displayed and received awards at both the local and national levels. Mr. Balsar has also produced a full-size bronze sculpture located at Neil Armstrong Elementary School in Park View, Iowa. He is married to Ticia and has a daughter, Jordan and a son, Charlie. Email Clint |
Thea Hunter-Intveld
Ms. Hunter-IntVeld is in her 15th year of directing theatre at Central High School and her 5th year running the high school drama program for the CAA. She has been teaching theatre for 16 years, beginning her career in Colorado before moving to Iowa with her family. Ms. Hunter-IntVeld graduated with a Bachelor's degree in English and theatre from Western State University in Gunnison, Colorado, and has a Masters in Theatre Education from the University of Houston. Ms. Hunter-IntVeld traveled to London to perform/workshop at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and the Royal Shakespeare Company where she performed Shakespeare works at the Globe theatre and was trained in combat fighting. Email Thea |
Music
Michael Reese
Michael Reese is in his 28th year of teaching and his 19th as Director of Choral Activities at Central High School in Davenport, IA. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Music Education and a Master of Music Degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Northern Iowa, and has completed all course work for the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from the University of Iowa. Prior to his doctoral studies, Reese was Director of Choral Activities at Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School (1998 – 2004) and Cedar Rapids Prairie High School (1996 – 1998). Reese is a past winner of the prestigious American Choral Director’s Association (ACDA) Conducting Competition and has served as guest clinician for nearly 60 honor choirs. His choirs have been invited to sing at both National and Regional ACDA Conventions. He has been a HUG (Helping Us Grow) award recipient from the Davenport Community School District, and has also been awarded the Die Hard Blue Devil Award for his contributions to youth throughout Central. Show Choirs under Reese’s direction have received numerous caption awards, as well as 1st runner-up or Grand Champion awards in eight states. Central Singers, Incorporated, has qualified for, and placed at the Show Choir National Championship Finals. Reese continues to be in demand as both a show choir clinician/adjudicator, and has been music arranger for 49 show choirs in 15 states. Reese has served on the boards of the Iowa Choral Director’s Association and the North Central American Choral Director’s Association in nine different capacities. He serves the Davenport Community School District as a member of the Music Advocacy Committee, the Music Curriculum Council, and as the Chair of Central’s Music Department. Reese has served his community by coaching youth baseball and softball, being a member of the North Scott Superintendent’s Advisory Council, being a church musician/conductor for 33 years, and currently serves as the Director of Praise Music at Asbury United Methodist Church in Bettendorf, IA. He resides in Park View, Iowa, with his wife, Angela, their daughter, Peyton (1st Grade Teacher - Whittier Elementary in Clinton, IA) and their son, Nolan (10th Grade - North Scott Senior High). Email Michael |
Visual Arts
Annette Eechuate-Lopez
Annette has 33+ plus experience in teaching art. She is a Model Teacher for the Davenport Community School District. In the 2022-2023 school year, she won a Growing Excellence Award. Her preferred mediums include watercolor, drawing and mixed media. Her hobbies include flower gardening, plants, and animal rescue. She enjoys spending time with my children and my husband. Her favorite quote is “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” Pablo Picasso Email Annette |
