Teacher of the Year and Distinguished Service Award nomination forms can be found by scrolling down to the bottom and clicking on Related Forms and Resources.

Send Nominations to: Leigh Wright  Leigh.wright@avondale.k12.mi.us

 Co-Chairs: Leigh Wright, Diane Heath, Erica Davis

2013 MAEA MIDDLE LEVEL & OVERALL TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Jennifer Hurrle

Jennifer Hurrle is always looking for new ways to encourage creativity in her students. During her career she has taught K-12 Visual Arts. Jennifer’s entire career has been spent with Newaygo Public Schools. She currently teaches students in 7th grade at Newaygo Middle School and 9th-12th grade at Newaygo High School. In her various roles at the school district she has been involved in writing curriculum, school improvement, after school art clubs, talent show coordinator, and the Parent Teacher Organizations. She has also started a Newaygo Art Boosters to help promote the Art Program within Newaygo Public Schools.

She has been a member of MAEA since 2000 and a council member since 2005. Her volunteer roles within MAEA have included: Region 13 Liaison, Middle Level Co-Chair, Historian, 2008 Conference Steering Committee and the 2009 Conference Planning Committee. Jennifer holds an Associate in Applied Science in Graphic Design and Technology from Southwestern Michigan College, a BA in Art Education from Western Michigan University, and an MAT in Education from Marygrove College.

2013 MAEA ELEMENTARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Joni Siler

Joni Siler loves teaching art and especially watching her students’ passion ignite. She has been a master teacher and artist for 28 years. She has a BA in Art Education from Kalamazoo College and an MA in Reading from Western Michigan University. Joni currently teaches Kindergarten through Sixth Grade in three buildings at Bronson Community School. In her school district she serves on School Improvement, Crisis Team, Honor’s Art Club, Bronson Area Youth Board, BEA Secretary and Bronson Alumni Vice-President. She is the Thespian Advisor and has directed the Bronson High School plays for 22 years. Joni has written Bronson Elementary Art Curriculum and Professional Learning Communities’ Data Analysis of Bronson Schools. She has written, presented and implemented the Visual Thinking Strategies Writing Intervention Program and Whole Brain Teaching Strategies in her school district.

She has been a member of MAEA since 1996 and a council member since 1997. Her volunteer roles include: Region 4 Liaison, Treasurer (10 yrs.); served on the conference registration team as well as conference steering committees, conference site teams, awards selection committees and Michigan State Benchmark Committees. She has been an MAEA Conference presenter for 13 years. Presently, Joni is a ceramics instructor at Blue Lakes Fine Arts Camp.

Joni feels that helping students to express their creative genius and opening new doors for them to explore is by far the most rewarding part of teaching art. “The pure enjoyment each child experiences is the most accurate measurement of my skill as a teacher. It is by far the best job in the world.” Joni is honored to be nominated by her colleagues for this award and her accomplishments are a result of the high standards set by MAEA and the support from its members.

2013 MAEA HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Linda Hooker

Linda Hooker has been a visual arts instructor with the Madison School District in Adrian, Michigan for 40 years. She has worn many hats during her teaching career, having taught Art Methods to non-art majors at Siena Heights University, a supervising teacher to over fifteen student teachers. She has served as Department Chair and written curriculum for her local district. Linda has also presented frequently at the MAEA Conference. She has been a presenter for over twenty-five in Region 3; the advisor for the High School Art Club; a class advisor for twenty years; and did some coaching too!

Linda received her BA from Siena Heights University in 1972, her Masters in Art Education from Eastern Michigan University in 1976 and an MA+30 in 1980 from EMU. During her teaching career she has taught art in grades 1 thru 12 and is currently teaching high school art. She has been a member of the MAEA and NAEA since 1981. Her volunteer roles include presenting at the state conference both as an individual and as a member of the Region 3 CSI group. In Region 3, Linda has been on the professional development committee, both as the chairperson and co-chair. Linda has been a member of the Lenawee County Visual Arts Educators group since its inception and was part of the founding group that convinced school administrators to allow their Art teachers to meet four or five times a year to share classrooms strategies. She has provided leadership for the LCVA Professional Development day-long State Conference Wrap-up presentations which are held after conferences each year. Linda facilitates the sharing of lessons and conference experiences. Linda was the chairperson of her school’s Relay for Life Team for six years.

“I always loved to draw when I was younger and I was fortunate in seventh grade to be introduced to my first art class and Mrs. Birmingham. It was then that I decided that I wanted to be an art teacher just like her. With that in mind, my philosophy was to become a kind and loving art teacher, with a sense of humor, to teach the importance of art and the history of art, and to have the passion that makes learning enjoyable. My students see the passion and energy that I have and it becomes infectious. I truly believe that we are all given a gift. Some people never open theirs. I feel blessed that I opened mine and have been able to spend the past forty years doing what I love, being an Art Teacher.”

2013 MAEA HIGHER ED. TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Jo-Ann VanReeuwyk

Jo-Ann VanReeuwyk is a tenured professor at Calvin College in Grand Rapids. She is Director of the Art Education program and Chairperson of the Department of Art and Art History. Jo-Ann taught K-12 art for eighteen years [1983-2001] and served as MAEA Region 9 Liaison. She facilitated K-12 district art exhibits at Calvin College and has received many grants. Jo-Ann has also held leadership roles in the Arts Council for Greater Grand Rapids. 

Jo-Ann’s fiber work has been shown nationally and is currently in several current traveling exhibitions. Her work is included in Lark Book’s 500 Baskets. Jo-Ann’s pieces are essentially related to vessel making and containment. They are also self-portraits or intimate portrayals of personalities she is contemplating and cares deeply about. “I find myself exploring relationships, embodiment and containment, important aspects of the personal.” Visit her website at jo-annvanreeuwyk.com

2013 MAEA RETIRED TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Harvey Goldstein

Since retiring in June of 2002, Harvey Goldstein continues to be recognized at both state and national levels as a dedicated professional in the field of art education. He has shared his passion for art with over four generations of students from Kindergarten to Graduate School students. In addition to teaching “Introduction to Art Education” at Wayne State University (2004-2010), Harvey has also served as Crayola Art Consultant for the State of Michigan (2003-2011), facilitating over 100 workshops for school districts across the state as well as events at MAEA and NAEA conventions. Over the years, he has given countless presentations to not only art teachers, but classroom teachers, parents, administrators and school boards – always focusing on the value and importance of art education for ALL students.

Harvey has held leadership positions in both MAEA and NAEA including MAEA Elementary Division Representative, NAEA Western Region Elementary Division Director and 2 terms as Michigan’s representative to NAEA Delegates Assembly. He has also served as Copy Editor of MAEA’s ArTeacher for the past 12 years. Since retirement, he has chaired and/or served on numerous committees for MAEA, NAEA and RAEA. Goldstein has also received numerous awards including the Arts Achievement Award from his alma mater, Wayne State University (2002); MAEA Art Educator of the Year (1995); ArtServe Michigan’s Arts Educator of the Year (2001); NAEA National Elementary Art Educator (2001); and the WSU Department of Visual Arts Education Community Service Award (2011).

Harvey Goldstein is a lifelong learner–an attribute he promotes for all art educators. Throughout his career, he has sought professional development opportunities with leading practitioners of educational reform. Although no longer in the classroom, he still participates in relevant workshops and/or webinars and advocates for quality art education where and whenever he can. Harvey has also found time to nurture his own creative expression in a number of new studio experiences. His personalized license plate says it all: ‘ARTMAN!’

2013 MAEA DISTINGUISHED SERVICE

Amy Armand

Amy is Director of Recruitment Services at College for Creative Studies in Detroit and Executive Director of The Southeastern Michigan Region of the Scholastic Art Awards. In addition, partnering with Macomb Community College, she oversees the Macomb, St. Clair and Lapeer Scholastic Art region.

Since 2007, she has managed nearly 6,000 individual pieces and 420 portfolios submitted yearly by middle and high school students for two separate regional competitions and exhibitions. During the past six years, Amy developed several programs, workshops and presentations to encourage both teachers and students to participate in the awards program, and to support them in their efforts.

In August, Amy was selected by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers to serve a two-year term on its National Affiliate Advisory Council. At CCS, she initiated and guides a Recruitment Advisory Board, comprised of art teachers and guidance counselors from area high schools. She also sits on both Macomb Community College Media & Communication Arts Advisory Board and Breithaupt Career and Technical High School 3D/CAD Animation Advisory Committee.

Under her leadership, the College for Creative Studies was awarded a 2011 Gold Key for Excellence in the Field by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. It was her honor to serve as a juror for VSA 2011-2012 Emerging Artists' Touring Exhibit Visual Voices, a program available to children and adults with disabilities.

Amy holds a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Occupational Studies from Siena Heights University. She teaches a CCS First Year Experience class to incoming freshmen.

Both of her children are artists and graduated from CCS. Her son Dan (Illustration ’05), is co-owner of 323East Gallery in Royal Oak and operates a limited-edition print website 1XRun.com. Emily (Crafts ’09) works as an artist’s assistant and also designs and creates art pieces from metal. Amy lives happily in Plymouth with her fiancé Henry, a 3-D artist and educator, and their Basset Hound, Maggie, who is not very creative.

STUDENT MEMORIAL

Emily Finan

Emily Finan is a senior at Oakland University where she recently completed her thesis in studio art. Emily serves as the current President of the OU NAEA/MAEA Student Chapter. She is extremely passionate about the role art plays in the community, and believes that art education should be relevant, engaging, and fun. She volunteers for the Grosse Pointe Community Campus where she provides art education to young adults with autism. Emily also organizes a character education art camp during the summer for elementary school students.

Being an art teacher is exciting, inspiring, a heck of a lot of work, and an honor. Becoming a member of the Michigan Art Education Association underscores your commitment to and belief in your profession.

The M.A.E.A. is asking you to take the time to reflect on the wonderful individuals you have met and worked with along the way. In January, your association asks you to submit the names of these individuals so that they may move into the process of being considered for the next Art Teacher(s) of the Year.

This award recognizes excellence in art education for the individual and for the Michigan Art Education Association. There are four categories Elementary, Middle Level, Secondary and Other (Higher Education, Administration, Supervision, and Museum). The philosophy is to choose someone who is committed and dedicated to giving more than 100% to students and art education in the state. This award is limited to CURRENT MEMBERS ONLY.

We have all had the privilege of meeting these individuals. We may work with them, hear them at conferences, meet them at workshops, and we may have seen their student’s work at exhibitions and on web sites. We know them for the inspiration they leave us with. We know them because they make us feel proud to be their peers. Please take the time to place their name into nomination for the recognition they so well deserve.

The nomination forms are found below.

These nominations are due to council by January 31st.

Please e-mail your completed forms to either:
MAEA Awards Chairperson: Diane Heath

dheath@rochester.k12.mi.us


If you would like to get a copy of nomination forms or award and recognition forms simply download the pdf: