On Saturday, October 14, Susan Gabbard, NAEA president, was on hand at the AEI Fall conference to help recognize and extend congratulations to several art educators during the awards ceremonies held at the Hotel Ft. Des Moines.

The 2006 Art Educators of Iowa Award Winners included Amy Pfeiler-Wunder, Iowa City; Tammy Hoppe, Rock Valley; Ronda Sternhagen, Grundy Center; Shanise Brockhus, Silby; Laurie Olk, Ames, Joline De Jong, Pella; Becky Kobos, Iowa City; and Elizabeth Craw, Des Moines. Read on for complete information about these special individuals...

On Friday, October 13, following a day filled with a variety of great conference sessions and keynotes at Callahan Middle School, conference attendees shuttled to the Des Moines Art Center downtown branch to mingle with colleagues and peruse the exhibition entitled Group Dynamic: Portfolios, Series, and Sets. Then everyone hopped the shuttle to the Heritage Gallery where several art educators had works displayed. More hors d'oeuvres and mingling followed our time spent at East Village where the World Food Prize Festival was taking place.

Although it may seem like a hectic time of year as senior high school students make preparations for post-secondary learning experiences, it is also a good time for us to begin thinking about All State Art potentitals. Check the AEI web site (artedia.org) for up-to-date information about the 2007 All State Art requirements.

February 3: Winter Board Meeting @ Iowa Historical Museum (Youth Art Month entries due for judging) _____________________________________________________ February 10: Snow Date (Winter Board Meeting) _____________________________________________________ March 3: Youth Art Month Awards & Celebration at the Iowa State Historical Museum, Des Moines _____________________________________________________ March 10: Snow date for YAM celebration _____________________________________________________ March 14-18: National Convention, New York _____________________________________________________ March 10: AEI Board Meeting -- State Historical Building _____________________________________________________ May 5: All State Art Exhibition & Ceremony -- Des Moines Art Center _____________________________________________________ June 2007: AEI All State Art Camp _____________________________________________________ June/July: Regional Meeting _____________________________________________________

2006-2007 Iowa?s Art Educator of the Year Rebecca Kobos Rebecca Kobos teaches elementary art at Coralville Central in the Iowa City Community School District. Rebecca has made many contributions to art education in Iowa City and the state of Iowa through her teaching and leadership. She served for eight years as the art coordinator as well as teaching. In that role she organized the district curriculum review in art and helped develop new curriculum. She has served as Iowa?s representative to the National Art Education Delegate Assembly and President of Art Educators of Iowa. Rebecca has also served as a mentor for new art teachers in her district. One of those teachers said ?Becky is an outstanding teacher, leader, motivator and friend to all who know her. Her positive approach has made her work with fellow teachers, staff, administrators and students very effective.? Becky co-chaired the state conference in 2003 in Iowa City. She also was directly involved with setting up and organizing Faith Ringgold?s appearance at the 1999 conference in Cedar Rapids. Becky has also been involved in community exhibits and art advisory boards.

March is designated Youth Art Month in Iowa. Soon it will be January when all student art entries need to be submitted in time for the annual Art Educators of Iowa board meeting. Keep in mind what a great opportunity it is for your visual arts students to receive extra special recognition for their efforts (and yours too)! Start to think of student works that may qualify for this event. Visit the Artedia.org website for more information and to print out the necessary labels.

Personal Statement:Receiving this award has been exciting and quite an honor. I have been teaching for over thirty years and each day is a fresh, unique, and interesting experience. My students are amazing artists and it is a joy to watch them grow through art. They like the challenge, the materials, the ideas, the discussions, and even the clean-up that takes place in the art room. I receive recognition from my students all the time. They give me small drawings or messages that say ?You are the best art teacher?. And they work very hard to do their best in the art. This award though, is about being recognized by fellow teachers who share my joy of teaching. I have been successful in the classroom because of others who have been willing to share their ideas and expertise with me. It is the professionalism of art teachers, both new and experienced, that inspires me to do my best. I have worked with many such teachers in the school districts where I have taught, throughout the state through Art Educators of Iowa and nationally through the NAEA. This award, given by my peers, makes me feel greatly appreciated for all that I have done. Thank you to each person who has helped me be the teacher that I am today.

Amy Pfeiler-Wunder is an outstanding teacher that helps each of her students to feel important through art. Amy is on the board of the Art Educators of Iowa and currently serves as our secretary. She has made numerous presentations at state and national conferences. Amy was co-chair of our state conference in 2003 held in Iowa City. Amy deserves this award because of her dedication to art education. Besides working on her PHD in art education and teaching, she finds time to volunteer for community art events. She is always willing to do what needs to be done. Amy is a delight to work with on special projects. Amy?s principal states that ?She is incredibly creative, supports student development in artistic expression and content knowledge, and is willing to work with any student regardless of their abilities.? He continues ?I am also impressed with her ability to reflect on and analyze her own teaching. She clearly loves what she does.? Amy?s professor at the University of Iowa says she ?always sees the good, not only praising it, but also inspiring reflection and accomplishment.?

Joline De Jong has been active in art education throughout her career. Since her retirement in 1997 after 28 years of teaching at Central College she has remained active in art education. Shortly after her retirement she co-founded Friends of Central Art that raises funds in support of the arts at Central College. She also serves on the board of Art Educators of Iowa and Iowa Alliance for Arts Education. Joline has received numerous recognitions for her work including Iowa Art Educator of the Year at the college level in 1988 and the AEI award for Distinguished Service within the Profession after her retirement in 1997. Our organization appreciates all her years of dedicated service to art education both locally and nationally.

Laurie Olk teaches elementary art in the Ames Community Schools. Shehas been a dedicated member of the Art Educators of Iowa board holding numerous offices and receiving many awards. Laurie is also very active with the Iowa Alliance for Arts Education, most recently serving as their secretary. Laurie Olk is a terrific art educator and active in all aspects of art education. She is an advocate for the arts, and a respected colleague. The chair of the Iowa Alliance for Arts Education writes that ?Laurie has presented workshops on arts assessment, standards and benchmarks and fine art requirements. She has displayed a keen grasp of the important aspects of each of these topics and their importance on impacting the arts education of Iowa students.?

Liz Craw has had a remarkable career in art education that spans over 50 years. She has done it all. She taught art from 1937-1985. She has been active in Art Educators of Iowa and is one of the charter members. For AEI?s 50th anniversary Liz compiled a history of the organization. Liz has served on the AEI Board for many years. She has been involved with textile restoration and has given numerous workshops and presentations. Liz has traveled the world and exhibited her artwork. She has juried shows at the State Fair. Liz has been presented with this Lifetime Achievement award because of her passion for art education and her dedication, both while actively teaching and in her retirement. She is well respected and loved by those people that she has worked with during that time. She is truly deserving of this award.

Ronda Sternhagen has a passion for teaching in which she creates a positive learning experience for her students. Ronda has been the Secondary representative to the board of Art Educators of Iowa the last few years, and in that capacity she has to taken on many leadership roles. She is always enthusiastic, positive, and a dedicated member of the board. Ronda has presented at our state conferences. She has worked mentoring students and new teachers. Ronda is also active in her community as well as being a practicing artist. Her area of expertise is photography and graphic design. Ronda teaches Visual Art, 6-12, in Grundy Center. Her principal states that ? this educator is more then good; she is a great teacher, leader, mentor, team player, student advocate, and role model. Ronda is deserving of the award and we are privileged to have her in Grundy Center.? At her school they surprised Ronda with 425 students in the auditorium to celebrate her award. It was very special to share her award with her.

Shanise Brockshus sets high standards for herself and her students. As a 7 through 12 grade art instructor in the Sibley- Ocheyden Community School District she brings the joy of art to her students and her community. She does it all, from teaching, to art club, to 4-H, to curriculum writing, to leadership positions in her local education association. Shanise is also active on the Art Educators of Iowa board. She has served as area representative and on numerous committees. She is always willing to help wherever she is needed. Shanise was the co-chair of the AEI fall conference in 2005 in Northwest Iowa?s Lake Area. Shanise is very deserving of this award. She is a strong advocate for art education both locally and state-wide. Many people and students benefit from Shanise?s enthusiasm and dedication. Her high school Art Honor Society does community service projects in and around the communities of Sibley and Ocheyedan. Shanise?s principal writes that ?she not only does a great job of teaching and modeling for students but she does what is takes to be a teacher leader.?

Tammy Hoppe is a dynamic art teacher. She works with students K-12 in the Rock Valley Community School District. ?Going the distance? is not enough for Tammy. Both in her teaching and in her life as an artist, she always does her best. Tammy has been on the AEI board for 10years as Area 4 representative. And in the fall of 2005 she was co-chair of the AEI fall conference in Northwest Iowa?s Lake Area. She is also the conference coordinator for the Art Educators of Iowa. Tammy is active in her community where she has received the ?Citizen of the Year? award given by the City of Rock Rapids for coordinating a 30, 000 square foot community involved mural project in dedication to several businesses and historical building that were lost in a fire. Tammy is valued by her students and her fellow teachers. She has been the Rock Valley Art Club Supervisor for 6 years. In that role she has helped plan a permanent mural program for the high school, helped students with community art projects, lead student field trips, producing play sets and prom decorations, to name a few. Tammy?s high school principal says she ?meets the kids where they are and provides them with what they need to be successful. Tammy is willing to take chances when it comes to providing the best educational opportunities possible for her students.? Her elementary principal states ?she is as passionate about her elementary classrooms as she is for her secondary.