2008 CAEA Award Winners

Pamela Farris, Program Standards Award
farris-250Nominator Laurie Counterman begins her nomination letter for Pam with enthusiasm—to say the least. She writes, “Leadership. Dedication. Respect. Tolerance. Efficiency. Compassion. Humor. Seldom do you find so many positive attributes in one person. Pamela Farris, CAEA Program Standards Award Nominee, exemplifies these attributes and more! Pam is the type of educator I am proud to know.”  

Pam is currently teaching art at Deer Creek Middle School in Littleton , Colorado . She’s been an active member of CAEA at many levels—including presenting numerous workshops at CAEA conferences. Pam is a seven time participant in the Art Source summer institute and has served as the logistics chair from 2004 to the present. Pam’s “can do” attitude is reflected in her teaching and professional activities.

Becky Brown, Assistant Principal at Dear Creek Middle School acknowledges Pam’s dedication and work ethic. She writes, “Pam’s vast knowledge base of art instruction is invaluable. Pam has well developed lessons and strives to teach to the State Standards, Prioritized Benchmarks and Essential Learnings. She has the ability to teach students in a way that they understand, motivating them to work towards the learning goal while making the students feel good about taking the help.”

Dr. Stacey Houser, Distinguished Leadership Award
houser-250Dr. Houser recognizes the important role that the Visual Arts plays in education. As Kimberley Sheek pointed out in her nomination letter about him, “Stacy writes a regular educational column in the local newspaper. He never fails to mention how important the arts are in achieving a well rounded education.”  

His never ending advocacy for the arts has shown, says Deborah Harriman, in the fact that he attends Youth Art Month Exhibits, comes in to see art students working on murals, makes sure that appropriate funding is available so Colorado State Scholastic Art winners are able to attend the show as well as their awards ceremony. He made the trip to Denver himself for the 2008 Scholastics show and awards.

“Stacy Houser has been faced with making a change in our district. It began with learning the demographics of the area and tuning into the changes that will be most effective for our population of learners. He knows it takes vision to collaborate successfully; it takes vision to create; it takes a vision to make meaningful connections and it takes vision to let a strong art department stay strong in this time of tests. Bravo to Stacy Houser, a visionary.”

Barbara Gal, Outstanding Contributor to Art Education
gal-250Barb Gal has been an active CAEA member since the 1970s. She began her teaching career in 1968 and continued her active full time teaching until retiring in 2001. But those who know her, know retirement didn’t slow her down. She has continued to be involved in arts education in various capacities since that time, both at RMCAD and the University of Denver .  

If you look at her impressive resume, you will see Barb has never slowed down once she finished college. She has held a variety of offices and positions in CAEA; she just finished her term as President in February of this year. She helped to found ArtSource Colorado , which is well known for its leadership training. She served on the Colorado Department of Education Visual Arts Standards Writing Team. She has won state awards as well as national awards for her service and teaching, including CAEA Art Educator of the Year and the Marion Quinn Dix Award.

Barb has been there to lend a helping hand to her colleagues and her friends in CAEA throughout her lifelong career. Kimberley Sheek writes, “Barb was the first person who reached out and made an effort to make me feel like an important member of CAEA. She is always warm and welcoming, extending herself to friends as well as newcomers.”

Dr. Charlotte D’Amond Talbert, Distinguished Service Outside the Profession
talbert-250Dr. Charlotte D’Amond Talbert is being honored with Colorado Art Education Association’s Distinguished Service Award—Outside the Profession. For the last 11 years, Dr. D’Amond Talbert has coordinated a coalition of various arts endeavors for schools from 28 major cultural organizations. These partners work directly with teachers in creating curriculum applications and learning opportunities for students. The Scientific and Cultural Collaborative provides specifically designed programs to assist teachers in their classrooms to teach interdisciplinary subjects. Since 1996 over 213,000 students and their teachers have been served as a result of these programs.  

Kim Williams, art teacher at Centennial Elementary School writes, “The success of the Alliance Project is a direct result of Charlotte’s incredible passion and knowledge of the arts and arts organizations, as well as her ability to creativity utilize the arts in order to meet and exceed Colorado and national content standards.” Her expertise has garnered the respect of educators throughout the Denver metro area.

Nominator Thad McCauley explains, “ Charlotte is the key between schools and cultural organizations.” He continues to explain that thanks to an Alliance Grant for his school, Aurora Frontier K-8, students have had the opportunity to work with The Butterfly Pavilion, Central City Opera, Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Colorado Mountain Club, Colorado Symphony, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Denver Film Society, The King Performing Art Center, Opera Colorado, The Children’s Museum and The Wildlife Experience. And all completely for free!

Michael Cellan - Distinguished Service Within the Profession
cellan-250Who doesn’t recognize that bespeckled, gray curly haired, mustachioed guy sitting behind a Mac at the registration desk each year? Gees, he’s been doing this forever…..that’s Michael. He is a fixture at the registration table. You might notice that is where he spends the majority of his time at the conference as well. That takes some real dedication. Michael Cellan has been the CAEA registrar for the past seven years. He’s actually recently retired from teaching but still he serves us well. CAEA Treasurer Joe Holliman wrote about Michael, “He maintains a patience and high threshold from responding to the overlooked obvious, sometimes just inane, to the “okay right brainer…let’s think this through” that teachers sometimes present in registering.  

Michael was also instrumental in helping get our CAEA database straightened out this spring so we are running smoothly and have correct information about our members. That in itself makes him deserving of this award.

Michael gives a workshop or two every year and is always there to help or encourage other teachers, young or old to “make art.” Holliman says it well when he writes, “Michael Cellan’s passion and attitude towards all things art-related is a model that every teacher should aspire to…young and seasoned alike…even just a thimble full would produce a whole new awakening in an art room.” Hats off to Michael!

Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design, Distinguished Service Within the Profession
rmcad-250When CAEA was having a difficult time finding a gallery to host the Colorado Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, RMCAD stepped up to the plate. Not only did they host the 2008 show, they have committed to becoming the home for this show. They offered two incredible galleries in which to host the show. Pam Starck, CAEA Scholastic Art Awards chair feels this gave the program a whole new life with support, expertise as well as the gallery space. They also launched the awards into cyberspace and have overseen the building of the website and virtual gallery.  

RMCAD also began a scholarship program which pays for the membership of new members to CAEA. Because of this thirteen new members were able to join our organization this year.

Sharon Rouse commends RMCAD for their help and support of ArtSource Colorado . She writes, “The school has provided spaces for meetings and workshops. An important component of ArtSource is its continuing leadership and professional development that extends past the summer institute. Through the support of the RMCAD art education department, ArtSource has been able to provide outstanding nationally known educators such as Dr. Julia Marshall for its training.”

Nan Hathaway , Private/Charter/Independent Art Educator of the Year
hathaway-250For nine years Nan Hathaway has been the Fine Arts Focus Teacher at Rocky Mountain School for the Gifted and Creative. According to Barbara Mitchell Hutton, Executive Director, Nan’s tenure at the school “began with a class that was invigorating, creative and consistent with the Rocky Mountain School social studies and humanities timeline. Despite space shared with lunch room, music, after school programs and drama, students in her class were engaged, inspired and eager to study under her direction.”  

Nan is probably best known for embracing and promoting Teaching for Artistic Behavior . This approach embraces choice and recognizes that the art room is a studio—and referred to as such. Students conceive and create their own visions while learning technique and the history of art. Students in the program reflect on the creations and give voice to choice, decision and action. The school’s art program has become nationally recognized.

How have students responded to this approach? Barbara Mitchell Hutton explains, “They literally crawl out of their sick beds to come to school for their art studio time. There is no greater compliment. We have witnessed greater engagement in all content areas by those who have become hooked on art.” And as nominator Dale Zalmstra reminds us, “ Nan is passionately interested, passionately dedicated, and asks that we all be passionate as well.”

Jesse Crock, Rookie Art Educator of the Year
crock-250Jesse Crock’s students think he “rocks,” which is why he is receiving the CAEA Rookie of the Year Award. But Jesse’s appeal is not just to those he teaches in his classroom, as Aimee Crispin wrote in her support letter; Jesse has the ability to connect to all ages: “Whether he is using silly voices, hats, or wigs to connect with his students, leaving a hand-painted note in a teacher’s box to brighten his or her day, or talking with parents about their child’s artwork, he continually strives to connect in any way he can. It is this quality that makes him exceptional.”  

As an art teacher in Jefferson County Schools, Jesse has been described by nominator Sue Patterson as having that “IT” factor, bonding quickly with students and staff. She goes on to say, “He proved to be a team player with a competitive edge.”

Jesse also extends his passion for art education outside of his classroom working with other classroom teachers on artwork relating to their studies as well as creating murals and working with the outdoor lab educational school. Through CAEA Jesse has presented at the fall conference as well as helping with the “Saturday Night Bash.” Jesse is also currently serving on the CAEA rep council as a Denver/Metro representative.

All this, and as the song says, “He’s only just begun…” (or something like that).

Laura Bowman, Rookie Art Educator of the Year
bowman-250Laura Bowman is described by her nominator, Megan Brockriede, as being ideally suited to be an art teacher because of her ingenuity, great communication skills, mastery of content area knowledge, humor, and integrity.  

Laura also understands that one of the best ways to advocate for the arts program in a school is to be visible, for her this means showing student artwork at various venues, transporting student work to Denver so they can earn Silver Keys and Honorable Mentions at Scholastics, stepping up to run District Art meetings, taking on the positions of Team Leader and Department Chair, all of this outside of the classroom.

Inside the classroom Laura Bowman makes strong connections with her students. Her principal, Teri Newbold states, “Prior to Ms. Bowman arriving at Panorama (Middle School), our art program had declined because the art teacher was on medical leave for several years. Ms. Bowman single-handedly brought the program back to life and elevated the instruction to the level we have today.”

Kate Dulaney , Elementary Art Educator of the Year
dulaney-250Kate Dulaney ’s classroom has been described as “magical,” but as we all know that “magic” takes a lot of hard work. As Kate’s nominator, Mary Lynn Baird , describes it: “ Kate Dulaney is a gentle soul and journeys through life with a calming presence. She passes this positive quality on to her students and enables them to believe they can create freely.”  

Throughout her eight year tenure at Maddox Elementary, Kate has made every effort to integrate the visual and performing arts throughout all the content areas. She has been instrumental in receiving and implementing several grants that help to support that philosophy of inclusion. As Kate herself states: “I have the sincere belief that the arts are essential for every child’s complete development.” She also understands that, “meshing practices in the arts and academic classrooms is the beginning of a dialogue that must happen if we are to provide the opportunity for our students to become better learners and enriched, whole human beings.”

Thad McCauley, Middle School Art Educator of the Year
mccauley-250Thad McCauley has taught in Aurora Public Schools since 2001 and in that time he has made himself an integral part of the Aurora community as well as an active member of CAEA. For Thad, ArtSource was a catalyst for, as stated in his nomination letter, “the realization that if he was truly passionate and dedicated to his profession, it was not enough to remain confined within the walls of his classroom. Rather, he bore a responsibility to advocate and dedicate his time towards the promotion of the success of arts education throughout the state.”  

It is clear when you step into Aurora Frontier that Thad’s passion for arts education will not be confined to the walls of his classroom – art is literally everywhere you look in his school. He has also spread his students’ art into the community through many projects from Pinwheels for Peace to donating bowls to Empty Bowls. Thad has also done many presentations at the CAEA fall conference, including an impromptu repetition of one of his workshops when another presentation was cancelled.

Nominator Kim Williams spoke of her time volunteering with Thad at Scholastics (even though he was teaching elementary students at the time) “I knew that day that Thad was going to be one of those people whose intense passion for our profession would motivate him to step up to the plate whenever he saw a need, not for the promotion of some selfish interest, but in order to promote art education for all.” Thad’s principal has been impressed with Thad’s ability to reach especially those students who are difficult to reach. He does this through fostering an atmosphere of trust and acceptance in his classroom.

You may also recognize Thad when you see him as he was featured as a designer and “model” for the postcard promoting the fall conference.

Susan Lange, High School Art Educator of the Year
lange-250Susan Lange has worn many hats during her career, including department chair, technology committee chair, Jeffco High Schools Art Exhibit Leadership team, principal selection committees, and the list continues. One thing that is evident throughout this list is Susan’s commitment to art education and her willingness to pave the way for a strong art curriculum in her community being a true leader in her district.  

As a practicing artist, Susan is even more able to share her love of art through enthusiasm for her craft and a lifelong love of learning. If there is not an opportunity for her students to achieve at a higher level - she will create one. She showed this drive by creating an AP program for her students, and provided support for other art teachers in her district who were also interested in offering the AP program for their students.

Susan Lange’s contributions to art education are too numerous to try to fit into such a limited space but her superintendent, Dr. Cynthia Stevenson, puts it well: “She believes in her work and in the arts. She knows that life will never get any easier for our teachers but demonstrates a sense of mission and adventure as she leads us to new heights in teaching. Because she is the type of teacher who is always asking what is possible, she consistently creates a better world for our children.”

Joyce Centofanti, Higher Education Art Educator of the Year
centofanti-250Dr. Joyce Centofanti is a tireless educator at Adams State College who has garnered the respect and admiration of colleagues and students alike. Her colleagues note that Dr. Centofanti exemplifies an art educator who puts her students’ education first and is committed to student success. Dr. Joyce (as she prefers to be called) is always generous of her time and expertise. Margaret Doell, Chair of the Art Department at Adams State explains, “Joyce’s students have been successful in finding teaching jobs in art upon graduation and most continue to seek Joyce’s advice and input as they embark on their first year of teaching. Joyce has been happy to continue mentoring her students in this manner after they have graduated.” Benjamin Quinn, K-12 Department Head for the Norwood School District , notes that, “Dr. Joyce empowers her students to go beyond their comfort zone, which allows them to exceed her expectations.”  

Joyce is an active member of CAEA and NAEA. She serves as the higher education representative for CAEA and holds numerous memberships and offices in NAEA affiliate groups including: Social Theory Caucus, Woman’s Caucus Group, Special Education Caucus Group, and the GLBT Caucus. She is also a member of the Society for Cross Cultural Research, Council for Exceptional Children, and the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts. Her accomplishments reflect her dedication to art and education.

Patrick Fahey, PhD, Colorado Art Educator of the Year
fahey-250Patrick is a man who has worn many hats over his thirty-one year teaching career. He has taught grade school, middle school, high school and university level students. Fahey has served as a tireless mentor to his colleagues, his students and the student teachers that he has supervised. Connie Bethards, Associate Professor at UNC write, “Patrick provides conscientious and creative leadership not only for his undergraduate students but also for Colorado art educators. His success with inspiring both teachers and students comes, in part, from his ability to work well with others, always seeing their good qualities and generously supporting them as they pursue their goals.” Bethards continues, “Through the years Patrick has demonstrated his gift for teaching and creative leadership, and he is the art educator whom I most admire and strive to emulate.”  

CAEA member Lia Devine has always been impressed with Dr. Fahey’s students. “His students are extremely well prepared. His expectations are high and his students rise to meet this challenge. They respect and look up to him.”

Thad McCauley considers himself fortunate to have had Patrick as a teacher and praised the training he received from him, “I know that when I was looking for a job after graduating from CSU, what I learned from Patrick made me highly prepared and confident. Years later, I realize the things I learned from him continue to help me be a successful teacher to this day.”