AWARDS
Congratulations to the 2025 TAEA Award Winners
TN Art Educator of the Year: Melody Weintraub
East TN Art Educator of the Year: Todd Johnson
West TN Art Educator of the Year: Sarah Lawler-Clark
Middle TN Art Educator of the Year: Monica Leister
First Year Teacher of the Year: Jentry Eschman Pittman
Elementary Level Art Teacher of the Year: Chelsie Nunn
Middle School Level Art Teacher of the Year: Katy Simmons-Carroll
Secondary (High School) Level Art Teacher of the year: Lauren Farkas
Special Needs Art Educator of the Year: Michael Seagraves
Higher Education / College Level Art Teacher of the Year: Dr. Amanda Galbraith
Museum Educator of the Year: Jennifer Richardson
Arts Administrator or Supervisor of the Year: Dr. Bryna Bobick
College Art Education Student / Pre-Service Teacher of the Year: Amber Buck
Friend of TAEA Award: The Parthenon
The TAEA Adjudication Rubric is for Information Only. You do NOT need to fill this out!
Tennessee Art Education Annual Awards
Each year, the Tennessee Art Education Association has the great pleasure of recognizing outstanding art educators from across the state, in a variety of categories. These amazing teachers exemplify the qualities and standards of what it means to be a great art educator, going above-and-beyond for their students.
TAEA presents these annual awards:
· To provide recognition to individuals within the membership who have achieved the highest level of professionalism in art education
· To focus professional attention on exemplary art educators and increase public awareness of the importance of quality art education
Award Categories are:
Tennessee Art Educator of the Year
West Region Art Educator of the Year
Middle Region Art Educator of the Year
East Region Art Educator of the Year
Elementary Art Educator of the Year
Middle Level Art Educator of the Year
Secondary Art Educator of the Year
Higher Education Art Educator of the Year
Supervision Art Educator of the Year
Administration Art Educator of the Year
Museum Art Educator of the Year
Special Needs Art Educator of the Year
First Year Educator of the Year
Tennessee Emeritus Art Educator of the Year (Retired Art Educators)
National Art Honor Society Sponsor of the Year
Student Chapter Sponsor of the Year
Higher Education Student Achievement Award
Distinguished Service within the Profession
Rising Stars Secondary Recognition Program
Friend of TAEA (only award available to non-members).