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Monday, June 20, 2022

Thomas Knab Inducted to National Teachers Hall of Fame

The National Teachers Hall of Fame on the campus of Emporia State University inducted their 150th teacher in a ceremony on Friday, June 17th. The Teachers Hall of Fame began in 1989 and hasn’t been able to have an inductee ceremony for the last two years, so it honored five outstanding teachers in 2020 and five in 2022.

Thom Knab stands at a podium holding up a piece of art. He is dressed in a black suit with a blue bow tie. To his left is an American flag. The National Teachers Hall of Fame banner is displayed on the front of the podium.

The first Art Teacher inducted into this prestigious club was Thomas Knab from Buffalo, NY. Thom has been the art teacher for grades K-4 at Dodge Elementary for the last 32 years.

Many of us know Thom from his years serving as the NAEA President, but he was awarded the NAEA’s Elementary Teacher of the Year and New York State’s Art Teacher of the year, as well as others.
It was a true honor to be Thom Knab’s cheering section for this event!

4 art educators stand in a row smiling in dress clothes at the National Teachers Hall of Fame induction. From left to right, Dr.Charity-Mika Woodard, Thomas Knab, Kathy Schroeder, and Lynn Felts.
From left to right, Dr.Charity-Mika Woodard, Thomas Knab, Kathy Schroeder, and Lynn Felts.

Thomas Knab’s guiding principles for teachers: “Foremost, enjoy what you do! Build a relationship with each child. Allow yourself time to grow. Understand that change is inevitable. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Emulate the supportive, positive, and energetic teachers in your school. Remember to always be professional and show respect for everyone with whom you work.”

Dr. Charity-Mika Woodard
KAEA Higher Education 
Kansas Art Education Association

Thursday, June 16, 2022

2022 Summer Camp a Success!

KAEA Summer Camp was held June 9th and 10th in Halstead and Newton, KS.

Members had the choice of 3 workshops and everyone in attendance enjoyed fellowship and learning new studio skills: Enameling Essentials, Kocha Weed Walking Sticks, or Plein Air Drawing.

8 photos are arranged in a grid showing women working on metal enameling projects and one example of enameled jewelry made from 2 circular pieces connected.

6 photos from the kocha weed walking stick workshop are arranged in a grid including working with metal.

7 photos from the plein air pastel workshop are arranged in a grid. The people are smiling and showing their landscape artwork.

Thank you to the members who shared photos from #KAEAsummercamp!



Saturday, June 4, 2022

Kansas Graduation Requirements Update

In April we shared information with you about the Kansas Graduation Requirements Task Force and their recommendation to cut the 1 required Fine Arts credit to 1/2 credit. (Click HERE to view that post) 

KAEA President Elizabeth Madden and board member Katie Morris met with the task force and gave the following presentation to illustrate why Fine Arts and more specifically Visual Arts are essential for the success of all students and that reducing the required credit would not help fulfill the vision of the Kansas State Board of Education, "Kansas leads the world in the success of each student." 

The graphic is split in half with the left side stating "a well rounded education is important, 1 credit in the fine arts is currently required for high school graduation. The right side says 1 credit = only 4.8% of students' academic courses. Providing students a well rounded education prepares them for college, careers, and to be global citizens. The bottom half has words on top of a photo of chalk that states "art is a universal language and through it each nation makes its own unique contribution to the culture of mankind."
The current graduation requirement is 1 Fine Arts credit, only 4.8% of students' academic courses. 

We encouraged all stakeholders to complete the survey to weigh in on if any courses should be added or deleted. At the task force meeting we attended, it was noted that MANY comments said not to reduce the fine arts credit. 

According to the task force's presentation to the Kansas State Board of Education on May 10, 2022, 2,147 stakeholders completed the survey. THANK YOU to those who participated.

We would like to note that there do not appear to be any changes to the recommendations in response to the survey.


You can watch the segment of the presentation about the recommendation to add or delete required credits here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-TF4JxkbFs?start=20820&end=21240

The recommendations have been presented. What can we do now?

The Kansas State Board of Education has not yet taken any action on the recommendations. It is likely they will vote in August. In the meantime, you are able to contact State BOE members to share your thoughts and concerns about the recommendations. State Board of Education members are elected officials who need to hear from their constituents.


It is recommended that you email ALL of the board members as well as Dr.Randy Watson, Kansas Commissioner of Education. rwatson@ksde.org

District 1

Janet Waugh
715 N. 74th
Kansas City, KS 66112

Phone: (913) 620-5062
Email: jwaugh@ksde.org

District 2

Melanie Haas
9909 Craig Dr.
Overland Park, KS 66212

Phone: (816) 226-7728
Email: mhaas@ksde.org

District 3

Michelle Dombrosky
14248 W. 157th St.
Olathe, KS 66062

Phone: (913) 782-1835
Email: mdombrosky@ksde.org

District 4

Ann E. Mah
3351 SE Meadowview Dr.
Topeka, KS 66605

Phone: (785) 266-9434
Cell:     (785) 231-0823
Email: amah@ksde.org

District 5

Jean Clifford
102 Drury Lane
Garden City, KS 67846

Phone: (620) 275-4317
Email: jclifford@ksde.org

District 6

Dr. Deena Horst
920 S. 9th
Salina, KS 67401

Phone: (785) 827-8540
Cell: (785) 822-5521
Email: dhorst@ksde.org

District 7

Ben Jones
P.O. Box 266
Sterling, KS 67579

Phone: (620) 278-6063
Email: bjones@ksde.org

District 8

Betty Arnold
5311 E. Pembrook St.
Wichita, KS 67220

Phone: (316) 684-7792
Email: barnold@ksde.org

District 9

Jim Porter
501 S. 7th
Fredonia, KS 66736

Phone: (316) 617-6779
Email: jporter@ksde.org

District 10

Jim McNiece
1213 Manchester Court
Wichita, KS 67212

Phone: (316) 729-9742
Email: jmcniece@ksde.org

Thursday, June 2, 2022

July Book Club Pick Announced

Having trouble taking the first step on your next project? 
Struggling to find inspiration? 
Join us in reading Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert! 

The image shows a book cover for Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. The cover shows colored powder exploding with the words in white all capital letters. Additional text announces it as the July pick for the KAEA Book Club.

KAEA July Book Club Zoom Meeting "Big Magic" By Elizabeth Gilbert
Join us for the July book club zoom meeting on July 28th at 7:30pm. 


Elizabeth Madden is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: KAEA BOOK CLUB
Time: Jul 28, 2022 07:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 815 6926 5212
Passcode: 082342

#ksarted #kaeabookclub