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 2019 CÆA Outstanding Art Educators
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
Outstanding Connecticut Art Educator:
Cristina Pinton, Avon Old Farms School, Avon
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
Outstanding Connecticut Art Educator:
Cristina Pinton, Avon Old Farms School, Avon
Congratulations to the 2018 CÆA Outstanding Art Educators
Outstanding Elementary Art Educator:
Lynn Lettieri, Buttonball Lane School, Glastonbury Public Schools
Outstanding Middle Level Art Educator:
Suzanne Kirschner, Waterbury Arts Magnet School, Waterbury Public Schools
Outstanding Secondary Art Educator:
Leeza Desjardins, Nonnewaug High School, Region #14 Schools
Outstanding New Professional Educator:
Numi Hwang, Long Term Substitute, Simsbury Public Schools
Outstanding Special Education Art Educator:
Theresa Manus, Long Hill Elementary, Shelton Public Schools
Outstanding Art Supervisor/Administrator:
Shannon Gagne, Simsbury Public Schools
Distinguished Service to the Profession:
John Prins, Branford Board of Education
Scott Shuler Distinguished Art Advocate:
Bonnie Koba, Director, Higher Order Thinking Schools, Connecticut Office of the Arts
Amy Goldbas, Associate Director for Program Design, Higher Order Thinking Schools, Connecticut Office of the Arts
Outstanding Connecticut Art Educator:
Leeza Desjardins, Nonnewaug High School, Region #14 Schools
Lynn Lettieri, Buttonball Lane School, Glastonbury Public Schools
Outstanding Middle Level Art Educator:
Suzanne Kirschner, Waterbury Arts Magnet School, Waterbury Public Schools
Outstanding Secondary Art Educator:
Leeza Desjardins, Nonnewaug High School, Region #14 Schools
Outstanding New Professional Educator:
Numi Hwang, Long Term Substitute, Simsbury Public Schools
Outstanding Special Education Art Educator:
Theresa Manus, Long Hill Elementary, Shelton Public Schools
Outstanding Art Supervisor/Administrator:
Shannon Gagne, Simsbury Public Schools
Distinguished Service to the Profession:
John Prins, Branford Board of Education
Scott Shuler Distinguished Art Advocate:
Bonnie Koba, Director, Higher Order Thinking Schools, Connecticut Office of the Arts
Amy Goldbas, Associate Director for Program Design, Higher Order Thinking Schools, Connecticut Office of the Arts
Outstanding Connecticut Art Educator:
Leeza Desjardins, Nonnewaug High School, Region #14 Schools