AISD’s Kelley Named NAEA 2020 Western Region Supervision/Administration Art Educator of the Year

The award recognizes excellence in professional accomplishment and service.

Dr. Michaelann Kelley

The National Art Education Association (NAEA) has named Dr. Michaelann Kelley as the recipient of the 2020 Western Region Supervision and Administration Art Educator Award.

The award will be presented at the NAEA National Convention in Minneapolis, MN, set to take place on March 26-28, 2020.

This prestigious award, determined through a peer review of nominations, recognizes the exemplary contributions, service, and achievements of an outstanding NAEA member annually at the Regional level within their division.

Dr. Michaelann Kelley, who colleagues describe as a teacher, mentor, and educational leader, is the director of visual arts.

“I laud Dr. Michaelann Kelley for her leadership and vision,” Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney said. “She is an active art education advocate.

“Michaelann reminds us of art education’s value to cultivate creativity and innovation. Art is essential to the human experience from motor skills to self-expression to points that compel us to empathize with others. Michaelann is passionate about arts education and ensures all students have access to quality art experiences.”

It is not the first time Kelley has earned recognition. The Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) bestowed Kelley with the Supervision/Administration Division Outstanding Art Educator Award in 2018.

The district arts program has also earned honors during Kelley’s tenure. The Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) earlier this school year, named Aldine ISD a District of Distinction. Aldine was one of only 20 school districts in Texas to earn this honor. In 2015, TAEA recognized AISD’s art program with the Youth Art Month (YAM) Award. The honor recognizes districts for their leadership and support of quality arts education.

Under Kelley’s direction, the visual arts program has expanded with numerous students winning local, state, and national awards. It is not unusual to see Kelley, who visits art classes regularly, sitting down to guide students or to sit down to work on her project alongside them. She also attends many of the events that feature students’ work.

Kelley strives to give her staff every staff development opportunity possible. She supports and encourages professional growth. An advocate of art education, Kelley is always looking for new and innovative ways to teach art. Every year she works to integrate teaching experiences for effective learning for all students.

NAEA President Thom Knab states, “This award recognizes excellence in professional accomplishment and service by a dedicated art educator. Michaelann Kelley exemplifies the highly qualified art educators active in education today. They are leaders, teachers, students, scholars, and advocates who give their best to their students and the profession.”

NAEA’s mission is to advance visual arts education to fulfill human potential and promote global understanding.

For more information about the association and its awards program, visit the NAEA website.

Founded in 1947, the National Art Education Association is the leading professional membership organization exclusively for visual arts educators. Members include elementary, middle, and high school visual arts educators as well as college and university professors. University students preparing to become art educators; researchers and scholars; teaching artists; administrators and supervisors; and art museum educators also are members. The NAEA also represents 54,000 students who are members of the National Art Honor Society. The NAEA represents members in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, U.S. Possessions, most Canadian Provinces, U.S. military bases around the world, and 25 foreign countries.