Brenda Makle

Brenda Thompson Makle retired from Prince George’s County Public Schools as the Instructional Supervisor for Visual Arts, supervising approximately 210 art teachers. Mrs. Makle has thirty-nine+ years of experience in visual arts education. During this time, she has taught elementary, middle school, high school and adult art classes. Brenda is currently on the Board of Directors for the Prince George’s African American Museum and Cultural Center and a Member of the Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council since 2017. She pledged into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., while an undergraduate and was president of the Zeta Delta Chapter at Bowie State College during her senior year. Brenda received a Master’s Degree of Science, in Human Development, from the University of Maryland College Park.

Mrs. Makle has experience in program planning, curriculum development, staff development, teacher supervision and teacher training. Brenda co-authored of the Prince George’s Arts Teachers Institute (PGATI) in 2000. PGATI is still being used by county school arts teachers. She has been Maryland Art Education Association President and has been recognized as Maryland Art Educator of the Year. Mrs. Makle has also been recognized by the National Art Education Association as National Art Educator of the Year for the Supervision and Administration Division, as well as receive the Eugene Grisby Award from the Committee of Multiethnic Concerns. Brenda has served as the Local Chair for the National Art Education Convention held in Baltimore, MD. She has also served on the Steering Committee for Arts Education in Maryland Schools(AEMS), and the Kennedy Center’s Metropolitan Council of Fine Arts Supervisors. Prior to retirement, Mrs. Makle was honored to receive the Art Leadership Award for “inspirational leadership and support,” from the Prince George’s County Public Schools visual arts teachers.

When asked how she feels about the arts she remarked, “I love the Arts! The Arts have been a part of my life since childhood. I enjoyed writing poems, participating in plays, dancing, taking piano lessons and learning to play the clarinet. Visual arts are my very favorite! I majored in Art Education. The joy that the arts give children is priceless!”