The Pennsylvania Art Education Association announces that Kris Tuerk has been named the PAEA 2012 Outstanding Middle Level Educator. Tuerk is currently teaching at the Kutztown Middle School in the Kutztown Area School District. She is well known in the community and has organized numerous events where middle school students, college students and community members can interact. Two programs include the Festival of the Arts where Kutztown University students work with Middle School students to provide hands-on art stations as part of the annual fundraising event, and Paint the Town Gold where local business and residence owners volunteer their windows as canvases for student work. As well as collaborating outside the classroom with community members, she is an active participant as owner and operator of the "Kristen Tuerk Creative Arts Institute and Custom Picture Frame Shop." "In addition to bringing with her a warm and vivacious teaching style" says Nancy S. Brooks, "she noticeably goes above and beyond, [holding] two sessions of after school art programs, one in the spring and one in the fall." In addition to the visual arts program, Jennifer Wyland says this, "Not only does Kris have the students create artwork, but they also peer assess one another, as well as reflect and write about their personal experiences." Kristen Tuerk collaborates with others and enhances her art teaching with the natural fit of other disciplines.

  The Pennsylvania Art Education Association announces that Marcy L. Bogdanich has been named the PAEA 2012 Outstanding Elementary Art Educator. Bogdanich currently serves as an elementary art teacher in the Hampton Township School District and has achieved the National Board Certification for Early and Middle Childhood. Sarah Tambucci speaks to Marcy's professional life, "As a model for us all, she has demonstrated that passion, coupled with much hard work, and a vision for what might be, can inspire, motivate and challenge those who choose to follow in her footsteps." As an educator, she has served her district and students in many ways and gained the respect of her colleagues. "Her concern and passion for the arts extends beyond her classroom to the district, to the state and national levels" says Karen Vachon-Thaner who adds, "Marcy has helped me to become a better educator."

  The Pennsylvania Art Education Association announces that Dr. Sarah Tambucci has been named the PAEA 2012 Outstanding Friend to Art Education. Tambucci is currently the Director for the Arts Education Collaborative (AEC) which serves the western part of Pennsylvania providing informational and training resources for teachers and administrators integrating arts learning in all levels of education. Dr. Tambucci directed AEC's grant funded study of the Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) and as a result, an educational model integrating more equitable and accessible arts education across all levels was developed. AEC has continued the relationship with PPS by seeking funding for the arts initiatives in the schools, preparing professional training for educators, and supporting efforts to develop and grow the art curriculum in the district. AEC is also active in keeping PA arts educators informed on policy developments and is working with the Educational Policy and Leadership Center (EPLC) in building the PA Arts Ed Network (PAEN), a state-wide coalition of organizations advocating for arts education across Pennsylvania. Angela Abadilla of the Pittsburgh Public Schools says, "Dr. Tambucci has a keen sense of knowing how to bring the right organizations together at the right times, many new and invaluable partnerships have been formed [due to her efforts]."

  The Pennsylvania Art Education Association announces that Lisbeth M. Bucci has been named the PAEA 2012 Outstanding Region Representative. Bucci serves as a co-representative for PAEA in Region 12, and recently retired as a visual arts educator from Garnet Valley High School in Glen Mills, PA. As a PAEA board member, she has begun and continued initiatives for regional events, and informative sessions for new and pre-service art teachers. She began a blog on the paea.org website, and continues to keep arts educators networked through digital means. "Lisbeth's energy and attention to detail are helping PAEA grow and respond to member needs," says Kris Fontes, PAEA President.