Educators receive state awards

Three of Concord’s very own have been honored with prestigious awards by the West Virginia NAEA (National Art Education Association). The awards were presented to Dr. Lauri Lydy Reidmiller, Associate Professor of Art, Mrs. Kimberly Sexton, senior art education major, and Mr. Wayne “David” Poticher III, a recent alumni. 

    The intentions of NAEA awards ceremonies are to recognize high distinction in the many excellent individuals of NAEA, and focus attention on quality art education and model art educators.

    Reidmiller is the recipient of The West Virginia Outstanding Higher Art Educator of the year award, an honor that recognizes excellence in teaching and contribution to the field of art education at both university and state level.

    Reidmillers’ professional interests are targeted at improving education across all levels and environments in which teaching and learning about visual arts education occurs as well as to develop substantial experiences related to advocacy, teaching and leadership for my students.

    “My goals are to increase public awareness of the importance of quality art education. My instruction is designed to set high standards and show my students how these can be achieved. Kimberly and David exemplify what I teach.”

    Sexton has been presented with The West Virginia Outstanding Higher Education Student of the Year award. This honor recognizes contribution to the field of art education at the university level.

    Sexton is presently student teaching in Raleigh County and looking forward to graduating. She is also the recipient of the 2014 Outstanding Senior in Art Education Award given by the Concord University’s Art Department.

    Poticher is the recipient of The West Virginia Elementary Art Educator of the year award, which recognizes excellent teaching performance in the classroom. Poticher is a recent graduate   and alumni of Concord University’s Art Education program who currently teaches at Rainelle Elementary and Crichton Elementary. He is also the recipient of the 2013 Outstanding Art Educator in the Field Award given by the University’s art department.

    Poticher was regrettably absent from the NAEA conference, and he is saddened to have missed the event and thrilled to have received his award.

“It is an honor to be nominated and chosen by peers in a close-knit, and yet widely spread apart, group of teachers. There are a great deal of awesome teachers within the WVAEA and it’s an exciting and validating experience to be chosen and I look to do all that I can to live up the expectations.”

    The 2014 State Conference was held at the Parkersburg Art Center on October 17. Reidmiller encourages her students to show others what it means to be 21st century learners through their actions and professional involvement. 

Reidmiller says, “I’ve always taught them that the classroom is much larger than four walls and I make it a point to invite them to assist me at conferences and outreach projects. By facilitating as many of these opportunities as possible, helps them expand their identities beyond “student” and experience themselves as vital members of the art community.”

    She adds, “The recipients of these awards are multi-talented, hardworking and dedicated educators who embody why art education is so vital. They have both served as presidents of the Concord University National Art Education Association Student Chapter, presented at state conferences, traveled with me to National conferences and serve their local communities.”

Additional awards given were to Abby Hayhurt (Parkersburg ART Center Director) receiving the Distinguished Service Award Outside of the Profession, Joe Semple, of Tyler County, with the Distinguished Service within the Profession Award by president-elect Jennifer Yerdon LeJeune. Marcia Catron, of Wyoming County, received the Outstanding Art Educator of the Year Award. Leo Roe, of Barbour County the Middle Level Art Educator, and Carolyn Light, Harrison County; receiving Outstanding Secondary Art Educator Award.

    According to Dr. Reidmiller, the first NAEA Award, “Art Educator of the Year,” was presented at the 1955 National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, by Dr. Edwin Ziegfeld, the first President of NAEA. In 1977, the NAEA Awards Program was initiated to recognize outstanding art educators in all divisions and regions.