Jefferson Fietek has over 20 years directing and arts education experience in the Midwest.  He is in his ninth year as Theater Department  Chair of Anoka Middle School for the Arts in Anoka and is Adjunct Faculty in the School of Education at the College of Saint Scholastica in Saint Paul. He was also appointed as a member of the City Of Coon Rapid's Arts Commission.  He co-founded Young Artists Initiative (YAI) in Saint Paul, Minnesota where he served as Artistic Director for 8 years. YAI's primary focus is bringing arts education to low-income and at-risk youth.   Besides his work in theater, he has been a guest presenter, both locally and nationally, on how those who work with youth can create environments that are safe and inclusive for all youth.   

He has been awarded the Ordway Center's Education Award for Community Commitment, the Center for Excellence in School Counseling and Leadership's (CESCaL) Educator of the Year Award, the Anoka-Hennepin District 11's TOP Teacher Award 
and the Senator Allan Spear Award for Community Commitment.  

Production photo from "Narnia: the Musical"