Eastern Region Column: Summer 2023

Thank You for Your Awesomeness!

A heartfelt congratulations to all of our Eastern Region Award Winners who were recognized in San Antonio! Demonstrating integrity, innovation, vision, and passion, these leaders rose to the top and were recognized at the Eastern Region Awards Ceremony.

Andrea Haas, Eastern Region Art Educator Award
Andrea sees herself as an accidental leader and greatly values the fantastic on-the-job training and tremendous role models and mentors she has encountered. She is always looking for ways her students can stretch their creativity and learning.

Joseph Vernali, Connecticut
Joe’s child-centered instruction is laser-focused on the individual needs of his students. A hallmark of Joe’s work is his ability to involve teacher candidates in their professional growth around the instructional practices that uplift the lived experiences of diverse learners.

Diana Rossi, Delaware
Diana is to be commended for her work to push the boundaries of the current photography programs in her school. She also works with her school’s Art Honor Society, encouraging her students to excel.

Matthew Johnson, Maine
Matt has been a keen advocate for the visual and performing arts in his district and for the state. He is passionate about bolstering the network of art educators and fostering collaboration to enhance the art experience among Maine students.

Lindsay Miller, Maryland
Lindsay engages her students in artmaking centered on personal voice, play, community connections, and problem solving. She serves as the school’s Equity liaison and the SEL community of practice leader, creating advisory lessons to support student needs.

Jennifer Ferrari, Massachusetts
Jennifer believes wholeheartedly in the significance of student voice and power of choice in the art room, working alongside her young artists as they work together to develop a learner-directed curriculum that centers their authentic interests.

Becky Barsi, New Hampshire
Becky is a catalyst for creativity at her school, bringing with her a passion for teaching, knowledge, and contact with other working artists out in the community. Her endless well of quirky fervor inspires our students to fail forward and trust the process.

Jane Kandy Lippincott, New Jersey
Kandy is an artist–educator specializing in political cartoons, relief printmaking, acrylic painting, and sand sculpting. Though retired, she continues to play an active role in art education and remains involved with AENJ.

Valerie Savage, New York
Val has held numerous roles beyond the classroom, such as curriculum leader, mentor, club advisor, sponsor teacher, and union leader. Val has also taught at Roberts Wesleyan University as an adjunct assistant professor of art education.

Bette Naughton, Pennsylvania
Bette looks at what a student with special needs can do—rather than what they cannot do—and creates adaptations that engage students in artistic exploration built on their strengths.

Susan M. Root, Rhode Island
Susan states that teaching is by far the most challenging job she has ever had as it can sometimes be very isolating. The friendships and support made through RIAEA have kept her engaged in the classroom.

Stephanie Harper, Vermont
Stephanie’s classes are focused on her students’ interests and skills. She has established a fun and enriching curriculum for students to grow intellectually, emotionally, socially, and artistically.

Tessa Garver-Daniels, West Virginia
Tessa teaches middle school and is also an adjunct professor at Davis & Elkins College. She is an active artist focusing mostly on printmaking, murals, and sculpture.

[[Image 8036.jpg "Eastern Region State Awardees. Photo credit to Kristi Oliver."]]

The following Eastern Region National Award Winners were honored at various events throughout the NAEA Convention in San Antonio.

National Secondary Art Educator: Andrea Haas, CT
Eastern Region Middle Level Art Educator: Michelle Dress, MD
Eastern Region Secondary Art Educator: Valerie Savage, NY
Eastern Region Higher Education Art Educator: Margaret Walker, MD
Eastern Region Museum Education Art Educator: Adam Rizzo, PA
Agent of Change in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award: Vernon Fains, MD
COMC J. Eugene Grigsby, Jr. Award: Pamela Harris Lawton, MD
Ecology and Environment Interest Group Outstanding K–12 Project Award: Beth Burkhauser, PA
Elliot Eisner Doctoral Research Award in Art Education: Lauren Stetz, PA
Elliot Eisner Doctoral Research Award in Art Education Runner Up: Luke Meeken, MA
Mac Arthur Goodwin Award for Distinguished Service within the Profession: Ami Kantawala, NY
Marion Quin Dix Leadership Award: Sarah Delphus Neubold, PA
NAEA, The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), VSA Beverly Levett Gerber Special Needs Lifetime Achievement Award: Jean Carmody, RI
NAEA, The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), VSA Peter J. Geisser Special Needs Art Educator: Karen Donnelly, NJ
National Middle Level Art Educator: Krissy Ponden, CT
Outstanding National Art Honor Society Sponsor: Stephanie Zeiler, MD
Rising Stars Secondary Recognition Program: Amelie Deoss, CT
Gilbert A. Clark and Enid Zimmerman Leadership Advocacy Award: Elizabeth Stuart Whitehead, MD
Website Award Category III: Pennsylvania Art Education Association
Website Award Category III Honorable Mention: New York State Art Teachers Association

[[Image 3149.jpg "Eastern Region State Leaders, a few Eastern Region National Award winners, and a few guests gather for dinner following the Delegates Assembly in San Antonio. Photo credit to Heidi O’Donnell."]]

Kristi and I look forward to seeing many leaders at Team East in Princeton, New Jersey, this summer.

Column by:

Heidi O’Donnell, Regional Vice President
Secondary Visual Arts Educator, ME. Email: naeaeasternvp@gmail.com

Kristi Oliver, Regional Vice President-Elect
Professional Development Manager, MA. Email: naeaeasternvpelect@gmail.com