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art educators of the year
nominate now for
The 2026-2027 AWARDS

Nominating an outstanding art educator for an educator of the year award is a great way to show your appreciation and recognize the hard work and dedication of teachers who go above and beyond.

Nominations are due June 1! Award recipients will be announced at the Idaho Art Education Association conference in October. To nominate a teacher, simply complete the form below and submit the required materials before the deadline.

We encourage all IAEA members to think of those educators who influence your own teaching practices or inspire your art-making and take the time to recognize their contributions to the community.

Consider the characteristics of outstanding art educators. Think about their ability to touch the lives of young children and encourage them to flourish and grow. Consider those who inspire lifelong learning through their actions and example. Consider those who reach out to others to build strong, mutually beneficial partnerships with others to support student learning through visual arts.

To nominate an amazing Idaho educator, follow the steps below.

Step One

Complete the nomination form below or open the form in a new window here: IAEA Educator of the Year Nomination Form

Step Two

Once you complete the nomination application, you will need to submit additional support materials to president.iaea@gmail.com including:

a letter of support from someone other than the nominator who works with the nominee in a professional capacity
a letter of support from the nominee's principal, superintendent, supervisor, or director

If you need assistance, please email president.iaea@gmail.com

ARTROOM Grants FOR TEACHERS

IAEA Art Room Grants! Art room grants can be used for a variety of projects and materials, including but not limited to art supplies directly related to the enhancement of art education within your classroom. Funds must be used within 6 months following an award. Recipients can receive up to $250 per grant. Art room grants are available to current IAEA members who have not received a grant from IAEA in the past two years.

Application deadline: October 1st

Click here to apply for an ART ROOM GRANT!

Congratulations!

IAEA’s 2025 Art Educators of the Year

Each year, the Idaho Art Education Association recognizes the hard work, dedication, and contributions of art educators in Idaho. IAEA accepts nominations from the community and selects art educators whose work and service has significantly impacted visual art education in Idaho in their division or category. One award recipient is named the Idaho Art Educator of the Year and is recognized at the National Art Education Association Convention. These outstanding art educators were recognized at IAEA's annual Fall Conference on October 3, 2025 in Nampa, Idaho.

DANIELLE FORSBERG

2025 Idaho Art Educator of the Year

Danielle is an Art Teacher and Yearbook Advisor
at Homedale High School in Homedale, Idaho.

melissa thompson

High School Art Educator of the Year

Melissa is an Art Teacher
at Boise High School in Boise, Idaho.

Karen rohn

K-12 Art Educator of the Year

Karen is the K-12 STEAM Teacher for
Potlatch School District in Potlatch, Idaho.

Congratulations to IAEA’s 2024 Art Educators of the Year

Michele Chmielewski

Distinguished Service within the Profession
& 2024 Idaho Art Educator of the Year

Michele is an Assistant Professor of Education at North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

candy canning

Community Arts Educator of the Year

Candy is the Owner, Director & Facilitator at Catalyst Arts Collaborative in Boise, Idaho.

Leatha Morgan

Elementary Art Educator of the Year

Leatha is an Art Teacher at Fernan STEM Academy in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

SARAH SESSIONS

Junior High Art Educator of the Year

Sarah is a Visual Art Teacher at Hillside Junior High School in Boise, Idaho.

celebrating amazing
idaho educators!

Michele Chmielewski from North Idaho College and Tara Kennedy from Foothills School of Arts and Sciences will be celebrated at the National Art Education Association 2025 annual convention in Louisville, KY. These two Idaho educators join the list of incredibly dedicated art educators who are honored at the highly-attended national event.

Congratulations to Michele and Tara!

CONGRATULATIONS!

In recognition of her support of Idaho students and service to her community, Melissa Ricks, is IAEA’s 2023 High School Idaho Art Educator of the Year and the 2023 - 2024 Idaho Art Educator of the Year. Melissa's award was recognized at the National Art Education Association Convention in April 2024.

In recognition of her contributions to the art education community and her dedication to Idaho students, Molly Devinaspre, is the recipient of IAEA’s 2023 Distinguished within the Profession Award.

Alison Bailey

2022-2023 Idaho Art Educator of the Year
and
2022 High School Art Teacher of the Year

In recognition of her commitment and service to Idaho students and the community, Alison Bailey, is IAEA’s 2022 - 2023 Idaho Art Educator of the Year and the 2022 High School Idaho Art Educator of the Year.

Jasmine Reed

2022 Elementary Idaho Art Educator of the Year

In recognition of her commitment and service to Idaho students and the community, Jasmine Reed, is IAEA’s 2022 Elementary Idaho Art Educator of the Year.

Jasmine Reed

CONGRATULATIONS!

Amber Poelstra

2021-2022 Idaho Art Educator of the Year

In recognition of her commitment and service to Idaho students and the community, Amber Steele Poelstra, is IAEA’s 2021 Idaho Art Educator of the Year.