Nick Stefanic Email & Phone Number

I have been an educator for most of my career, and although the names of my degrees all say music education, I have been continually broadening my knowledge and skills with technology inside and outside the classroom since I was in high school. I have never been afraid to take on a new challenge or learn something new. Although I still draw like a 4-year-old. The trajectory of my career has been largely the result of me identifying opportunities (areas of need) and learning whatever was necessary to fulfill that need. At my very first job I learned guitar over the summer in order to offer more opportunities to my music students. I learned music production because I not only had a passion for creativity, but I saw a need to offer courses outside of the traditional model of music education. And the prospect of touring the world as a rock star was also dwindling... I learned programming and web development because I wanted to create something that would make learning and assessing the fundamentals of music theory more effective and efficient for both teachers and students. I learned game design and a new programming language in order to help the colleagues in my department to elevate our academy. And there is so much more to still learn. As the department chair of the Academy of Entertainment Arts I am proud of the growth we have seen in terms of student enrollment as well as the expansion of the program to include six career-prep technology studios in film, animation, music production, game design, branding, and photography. Our students have earned local, regional, national, and international awards. This is a result of not only hiring exceptional teachers, but also fostering a supportive and collaborative environment for students and faculty in the program.But the accomplishment I am most proud of is my wonderful wife and children. As passionate and hard working as I am, nothing compares to playing catch in the backyard, destroying my kids in Super Smash Bros., or date nights at the ninja gym with my wife. I'm always open to new opportunities and new challenges. Be good. Do good. ...and Make. More. Music.

Listed skills include Music Education, Instructional Technology, Applied Educational Statistics, Music, and 26 others.