The CÆA Outstanding Educator Awards recognize visual arts educators for demonstrating excellence in the classroom, active participation and leadership at the local, state, and/or national level, publications and/or exhibits, advocacy for the arts, and other art education related accomplishments. Nominees for these awards must be member of CÆA/NAEA for 3 consecutive years, and must spend at least 51% of their working day in the job division for which they were nominated. Nominees for the CÆA Outstanding Arts Advocate and Service to the Profession awards do not need to be members.
Congratulations to the 2021 CÆA Outstanding Art Educators
Outstanding Connecticut Art Educator of the year:
Krissy Ponden, The Unquowa School, Fairfield, CT.
Outstanding Art Supervisor and/or Administrator:
Rebecca Lacey, Bethel High School, Bethel, CT.
Outstanding Special Needs Art Educator Award
Donna Frustere, FOCUS,Fresh Start School,Center for Autism, Canton, CT
Scott Shuler Distinguished Art Advocate:
Nick Canova, South Windsor Public Schools, South Windsor, CT.
Krissy Ponden, The Unquowa School, Fairfield, CT.
Outstanding Art Supervisor and/or Administrator:
Rebecca Lacey, Bethel High School, Bethel, CT.
Outstanding Special Needs Art Educator Award
Donna Frustere, FOCUS,Fresh Start School,Center for Autism, Canton, CT
Scott Shuler Distinguished Art Advocate:
Nick Canova, South Windsor Public Schools, South Windsor, CT.
Congratulations to the 2020 CÆA Outstanding Art Educators
Outstanding Connecticut Art Educator of The Year:
Le Ann Hinkle, Greenwich Public School, Greenwich, CT.
Outstanding Elementary Level Art Educator:
Donna Bosworth, Danbury Public Schools, Fairfield, CT.
Outstanding Middle Level Art Educator:
Susan Gudat, Rocky Hill Public School, Rocky Hill, CT.
Outstanding Secondary Art Educator:
Holly Constantine, Glastonbury Public School, Glastonbury, CT.
Outstanding Art Supervisor and/or Administrator:
Kristen Lengyl, Regional School District 16, Woodland, CT.
Outstanding Special Needs Art Educator Award
Jamie Kaminski, West Hartford Public Schools, West Hartford, CT
Scott Shuler Distinguished Art Advocate:
Melissa Hickey, Connecticut State Department of Education
Distinguished Service to the Profession:
Rich Fredette, Chairman Arts Commission, Stratford, CT.
Le Ann Hinkle, Greenwich Public School, Greenwich, CT.
Outstanding Elementary Level Art Educator:
Donna Bosworth, Danbury Public Schools, Fairfield, CT.
Outstanding Middle Level Art Educator:
Susan Gudat, Rocky Hill Public School, Rocky Hill, CT.
Outstanding Secondary Art Educator:
Holly Constantine, Glastonbury Public School, Glastonbury, CT.
Outstanding Art Supervisor and/or Administrator:
Kristen Lengyl, Regional School District 16, Woodland, CT.
Outstanding Special Needs Art Educator Award
Jamie Kaminski, West Hartford Public Schools, West Hartford, CT
Scott Shuler Distinguished Art Advocate:
Melissa Hickey, Connecticut State Department of Education
Distinguished Service to the Profession:
Rich Fredette, Chairman Arts Commission, Stratford, CT.
Congratulations to the 2019 CÆA Outstanding Art Educators
Outstanding Connecticut Art Educator of The Year:
Cristina Pinton, Avon Old Farms School, Avon
Outstanding Middle Level Art Educator:
Kelly Smurthwaite, Bristow Middle School, West Hartford Public Schools
Outstanding Secondary Art Educator:
John Sandoval, Westminster School, Simsbury
Outstanding National Art Honor Society or National Junior Art Honor Society Sponsor:
Megan Lavoie, Simsbury High School, Simsbury Public Schools
Outstanding Museum Art Educator:
Michelle Friedman, The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Ridgefield
Distinguished Service to the Profession:
Ellen Griesedieck, The American Mural Project, Winsted
Scott Shuler Distinguished Art Advocate:
Kate Robinson, Gall & Robinson, LLC, Hartford
Cristina Pinton, Avon Old Farms School, Avon
Outstanding Middle Level Art Educator:
Kelly Smurthwaite, Bristow Middle School, West Hartford Public Schools
Outstanding Secondary Art Educator:
John Sandoval, Westminster School, Simsbury
Outstanding National Art Honor Society or National Junior Art Honor Society Sponsor:
Megan Lavoie, Simsbury High School, Simsbury Public Schools
Outstanding Museum Art Educator:
Michelle Friedman, The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Ridgefield
Distinguished Service to the Profession:
Ellen Griesedieck, The American Mural Project, Winsted
Scott Shuler Distinguished Art Advocate:
Kate Robinson, Gall & Robinson, LLC, Hartford