Art Education Leadership Award Winners 2021

Awarded to visionaries who continually inspire their peers in the art education community through their online school gallery on Artsonia.

Leah Alix

Ridgeview Elementary School (Orange Park, FL)

I am so proud of our little Cougar Artists! Ridgeview Elementary School has some of the most wonderful children with vivid imaginations and such creativity! I am a Florida Certified Art Educator for K-12th grade and in my 8th year teaching art, and my third year in Clay County. My undergraduate major was in Graphic Design from Brescia University in Owensboro, Kentucky. My graduate studies was in Art Education at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida.

Laurel Archambault

Henry James Memorial School (Simsbury, CT)

I am so happy that I have a career that I absolutely love! I have been teaching at Henry James School for over 20 years. I live in CT with my husband and two daughters. I also love to create art and work in a variety of media. Originally my focus was in alabaster stone sculpture, but recently, I have been working in various media including painting, mixed media collage, sculpture and pottery. I am proud to have been named CAEA's (Connecticut Art Education Association) Outstanding Art Educator of the year for 2011. I also work for the School district as a Mentor for new teachers, and as a Master Mentor for Henry James School and recently became a National EdTPA Visual Art Portfolio Scorer for pre-service teachers.

Beth Ashton

Gate City Charter School for the Arts (Merrimack, NH)

I have been a lifelong resident of New Hampshire where I still reside. At Plymouth State University, I majored in graphic design and have since earned a master’s degree in art education. I have a deep appreciation for the positive effect that art can have on student confidence and growth across the curriculum. The process of creating artwork is even more valuable than the finished piece, and I look forward to creating and maintaining a safe and inquisitive learning environment that engages students to experiment and develop a genuine passion art.

Chrissy Block

Neil Armstrong Elementary School (Bettendorf, IA)

Hello! Thank you for stopping by Neil Armstrong's virtual art gallery! I'm Mrs. Block and this is my eleventh year of teaching art here at Neil Armstrong Elementary in Bettendorf, Iowa!! I am so fortunate to work with such amazingly artistic students! My goal as an art educator is to expose students to a variety of mediums, techniques, themes, and artists while integrating the national standards and art elements, all with the hope for students to develop a passion for creating!

I have two BA degrees, both from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa. One is in K-12 Art Education, and the other is in Graphic Design. When I am not in the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our two kids, going hiking, reading, and doing freelance graphic design work.

Follow me on Instagram

Deloris Brunner

Lathrop Elementary School (Lathrop, MO)

I have been teaching art at Lathrop Elementary School in Lathrop, MO, for 30 years. I feel very fortunate to have a career that I love, teaching art. I also enjoy working with the students.
I have used Artsonia as a virtual gallery outlet for years. I saw the need with my own children when they were in school. Their grandparents lived 3 hours away. I also had a parent that was serving overseas. Artsonia provided an outlet that displayed student artwork to parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles, and family friends, that are not in the local community.
I have really appreciated Artsonia during this Covid pandemic. In our school district, as well as others, parents are not allowed in the school building. Artsonia is a valuable tool. Parents can still enjoy seeing their child’s artwork displayed, even if it is not on a traditional bulletin board or in our annual art show.

Shulie Cooper

Public School 174 William Sidney Mount (Rego Park, NY)

This is my 16th year teaching art. I have taught at all levels Pre-K-5 throughout my career. I am so honored to be at P.S. 174! I love my job and love working on new ideas to enhance my students' art education. My philosophy about art is to always do your best, and never give up on yourself! I believe that the Visual Arts is a fantastic way for children to gain more self-confidence and self-awareness. Additionally, the Arts help students with problem solving skills that can be applied in all areas of their lives. I emphasize creativity, thinking outside the box, working hard, and doing your BEST all of the time!

Danielle Daglieri Singh

Quidnessett Elementary School (North Kingstown, RI)

I have been teaching art at the elementary level in Rhode Island for 15 wonderful years. I strive to convey the importance of art history to my students, introduce a variety of art mediums and integrate classroom material in the art room.

Art is EVERYWHERE! Enjoy!

April Fox

Turner Public School (Turner, MT)

I teach art and French to K-12 students in rural Montana. Originally from Walhalla, North Dakota, I received my BA in Art Education and French Education from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, and received my Masters in Art Education and Integration from the University of Montana in Missoula.

Carla Ganim

Strongsville Middle School (Strongsville, OH)

My name is Carla Ganim and I teach 6th and 8th grade art. I love being able to see the students grow as artists over the years, and they love to look back at their artwork they have created in the past here on Artsonia!

We're thrilled to provide a way for family and friends near and far to view artwork!

We hope you enjoy seeing their artwork and the creative artist statements they write to find the meaning or processes they used to create their artwork!

Amy Greathead

Mount Horeb Primary Center (Mount Horeb, WI)

Hello! I am the Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade art teacher at the Early Learning and Primary Centers. I am also known online as the Rainbow Art Teacher. I graduated magna cum laude from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Art and Design Education, along with an Art History minor. Currently in my 5th year of teaching and I am proud to be a Mount Horeb Viking!
Wisconsin Art Education Association Art Teacher of the Month - February 2021
Prang Tru-Ray Art Teacher of the Month - March 2020

Amy Kratochvil

Big Bend Elementary School (Big Bend, WI)

I grew up in Racine, Wisconsin and both my parents were teachers. I played a lot of competitive golf and developed my passion for art by watching my grandmother paint. It was in middle school that I decided to be an art teacher because of my two inspirational art teachers.

I went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Art Education in 1998 and Cardinal Stritch University with a Master's degree in Technology Integration in 2003. It was at Big Bend when I developed my obsession with things being in "Rainbow Order" (ROY G. BIV rocks!)

Please visit our website for more information about our art program!

Ted Mallory

Boyer Valley Community School (Dunlap, IA)

Mr. Mallory has taught at Boyer Valley since 2000.
Before coming here, he taught at Los Angeles Lutheran Jr/Sr High School in Sylmar, CA. 1993-2000
He holds a BSEd from Concordia University, Seward, NE
With a Double-Major in K-12 Art & 7-12 History/Social Studies

Visit Mr. Mallory's National Art Education Association Online Portfolio

Visit Our Art Classes

Visit Mr. Mallory's Online Teaching Portfolio

Heidi O’Hanley

Frank A. Brodnicki Elementary School (Justice, IL)

I am a national board certified teacher (NCBT), an active member of the National Art Education Association (NAEA) and the Illinois Art Education Association (IAEA), a working artist, and a mother!

I believe that art plays a vital part in a school’s core curriculum. Through the visual arts, students can experience self-discovery, collaborative team-building, and celebrate different perspectives of art and culture.

Christine Patete

Asheville Christian Academy (Swannanoa, NC)

I was born in Alberta, Canada but mostly grew up in southern Ontario. I met my American husband while we were both studying Art at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We have three wonderful children and are both working as artists here in beautiful Asheville, North Carolina. I love teaching Art to my elementary and middle school students. They are always enthusiastic about each new project and are very creative. They are talented artists and it's exciting to see them express themselves creatively.

Karen Phillips

Dove Creek Elementary School (Statham, GA)

Karen Phillips is the art teacher at Dove Creek Elementary School. She earned both a B.F.A. and Masters in Art Education degree from the University of Georgia. She uses her love of travel and art history to help students get into learning about artists and cultures from around the world. Mrs. Phillips is a painter, photographer, and tap dancer. She enjoys learning about and making many different types of art. You can see her personal artwork on Instagram.