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art educators of the year
nominate now for
The 2025-2026 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!

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!

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.

"Michele is a fierce advocate for the arts in all the roles she pursues. She supports and promotes art teachers, art education, art students, and art outreach programs with intense passion. She has served on the Idaho Art Education Association board as president, represented Idaho at the National Art Education Association by serving as Pacific Region Vice President, and has been instrumental in connecting Idaho art educators to their colleagues across the country. In her current position, she is guiding and teaching future educators at North Idaho College where she shares arts integration strategies such as Visual journaling and STEAM education with future educators of all disciplines. Recently, she received a grant through Idaho commission for Arts where she is using her arts expertise to help veterans create art at her local veterans retirement home. Michele is a mentor, friend, and cheerleader to so many students and educators. Michele’s boundless curiosity, joy of life, and great human warmth nurtures countless people around her."

candy canning

Community Arts Educator of the Year

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

"Candy has worked hard to bring her vision to Idaho's art community with the creation of the Catalyst Arts Collaborative. Thanks to her dedication, the Catalyst Arts Collaborative has become a growing community of volunteers and working artists contributing to the larger community. She truly cares about artists - young and old - and has created a community where everyone feels included and has access to the arts."

Leatha Morgan

Elementary Art Educator of the Year

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

"Leatha is a dynamic art teacher! She strives to continuously grow as a professional and improve students’ art experiences. She sees every child as an artist and the classroom as their studio. Leatha often goes above and beyond, stepping up for her Fernan family whenever possible, volunteering to cover classes for her colleagues, and offering an Open Studio for students during lunchtime one day each week."

SARAH SESSIONS

Junior High Art Educator of the Year

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

“Sarah simply has given ALL to her ‘calling’ as an art educator. She treats everyone with fairness, respect, and passion in her school, the community and the State of Idaho as she promotes ART in everything she touches. Sarah is always thinking of her students and looking for ways to grow the art program at Hillside Junior High School. Sarah is able to see what each student brings to the community and her whole teaching approach involves finding and using the student’s unique strengths to help them overcome their struggles and develop a positive self-concept.”

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.