2026 Awards

Congratulations to our 2026 Award Winners who were recognized in Wichita during our Fall Professional Development Conference!

Outstanding Elementary Art Educator - Mary Ure

Mary Ure has taught art for over thirteen years at Cottonwood Elementary in Paola, Kansas.  She has served in numerous roles outside of school including presenting several workshops for KAEA conferences and summer camps as well as MACE, KSDE, ECET, and Bridging for Resilience.  Most summers she spends providing enrichment opportunities including art camps and classes for students as well as adults throughout the community.  A long-time KAEA and NAEA member, she has also been involved in the Heartland Art Guild, Paola Optimist Club, local 4-H Club; the PEAK program, and served as a Mentor and Coach in the FIRST Robotics and Lego competitions. In 2020 Ms. Ure worked on the Visual Art Curriculum Committee with the KSDE for Navigating Change. Her artwork has been included in multiple Heartland Art Guild Exhibits, featured on the cover of Covenant Companion Magazine, and is held in numerous private collections.

Mary was selected as her district’s Young Educator of the Year in 2014 and as the Elementary Educator of the Year in 2017. She has chaired her district’s Showcase Committee and Night at the Museum and served as a mentor for a preservice teacher. Mary’s principal states that “Mary Ure is the type of educator who leaves a lasting impact on everyone around her. She inspires students to take creative risks, encourages colleagues through her leadership and collaboration, and advocates tirelessly for the value of the arts in education.”

Outstanding Middle School Art Educator- Ronda Dugan

Ronda Dugan has worked as a middle school art teacher for over 24 years, with seventeen at Chisholm Middle School in Newton Kansas.  Through KAEA she has attended and presented at multiple conferences and summer camps, as well as attended the national convention. Past service includes her building leadership team and the scheduling committee as well as helping organize district art meetings and workshops, developing standards based and discipline-based art curriculum maps, and sharing knowledge with other teachers from attending WSU, KSDE, STEM, and Ketcherside Endowment Foundation sponsored workshops. 

Ronda is a Mixed Media Artist specializing in Book Arts with a mural at Mrs. O’Leary’s in Wichita. Her students have received numerous awards in the Youth Art Month and YAM Flag competitions.  Fellow coworker Beth Burns shared that “Ronda truly understands that the creative thought processes that artistic activities teach her students are important, no matter what their career goals.” 

Outstanding High School Art Educator- Renee Fritts

Renee Fritts has been an integral part of the Derby High School art department for the past seven years.  During this time she has become very involved in Kansas Art Education Association leadership and supported the arts within the school and local community.  Her KAEA organizational roles include Secondary Representative, Treasurer, Photographer, and serving as 2024 Co-Host for Rock Springs Fall Conference and on Fall Conference and Award Committees. She has presented workshops on Adaptive Art and Bleach & Oil Stick dyeing techniques and overseen the Harry Hart Award Scholarship Competition. Mrs. Fritts has written an article for the KAEA newsletter and was interviewed by NAEA about teaching art during COVID.

At Tanglewood Elementary Renee was the PTA Secretary and led “paint nights” with students and their parents.  She co-sponsors the DHS NAHS Chapter, accompanies students on competitive trips, sets up art displays in several Derby venues, and helps organize the annual K-Building Open House. Her students have received numerous ribbons at Youth Art Month, McPherson College, Emporia State University, and the Congressional Art Competition.  Renee’s personal work was displayed at Wazup Coffee House. Co-worker Natalie Brown states “She is an involved, caring educator who passionately supports our students and programs while serving the arts outside of the classroom.”

Outstanding K-12 Art Educator- Natalie Spangenberg

Natalie Spangenberg recently moved to teaching art at Yates Center after a ten year career with Burlington Public Schools. Her activities outside of the classroom range from sponsoring art club activities, NAHS chapters, and coordinating district art shows and league competitions; to serving on school committees including Site Council,  Building Leadership, PDC and negotiation teams; to sponsoring the Freshmen and Junior Classes and Prom. Natalie has become actively involved in KAEA, presenting several popular workshops, helping with the fall conference committee, and serving as the Advocacy Chair.  Within her community she is a member of the Coffey County Council for the Arts, the steering committee for NOTO Arts Center, and Partners in Education Across Kansas. 

Her students range from youth through adults and in public school programs as well as community classes and summer programs. Their achievements include Scholastic Keys, International Finalist in the Unsung Hero competition, National and State level winners in Daughters of the American Revolution, and awards for “Stick with Art”, at the Pioneer League Art Competition, and Best in Show at NCCC HS Art Day. Natalie’s work has been featured in several solo shows and group exhibitions including an Award of Merit from the Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery.  Principal Darla Long states, “Time and again, Natalie has shown through her actions her desire to help students find an outlet to express themselves as well as affording them new opportunities.”

Outstanding Museum Art Educator- Rachel Straughn-Navarro

Dr. Straughn-Navarro is the current School and Educator Engagement Coordinator at the Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas and co-director of Partners in Education Across Kansas also known as PEAK, a statewide professional development program for K-12 teachers. Along with several other roles at the Spencer, she has also worked for the Art, Design, and Architecture Museum at the University of California-Santa Barbara and Museum of Art and Archaeology at the University of Missouri. Rachel has curated numerous exhibitions including the current show at the Spencer Museum- Looking After: Art and Care in Education Across  Kansas. She has created numerous reference materials, virtual tours, interactive content, and other exhibit resources to support students and teachers.

 

Her presentations have been a part of KAEA conference and NAEA convention. Linking Educators Across Districts has invited her to speak on topics including Social- Emotional Learning and Trauma Informed Instruction. She is the recipient of numerous grants and awards including the 2017 MAEA Museum Educator of the Year and a 2017 Kress Scholarship. In particular, her work through PEAK has provided valuable resources for educators when visiting museums with their students. Catherine Meihaus states “Rather than simply presenting information to students, she has helped educators think about how young people can actively engage with works of art, ask questions, make connections, and see themselves as welcome participants in the museum.”

Art Enhancer- Evans Ceramics Supply

Evans Ceramics Supply in Wichita, Kansas supports KAEA events by purchasing vendor tables at fall conferences, providing workshop supplies and door prizes, and by providing in person training sessions on kiln safety and maintenance for attendees at KAEA workshops.  Owner Don Evans helps with any request from our organization and assists in promoting KAEA events.

The support their business provides local art teachers and schools truly stands out.  Don and his staff are a wonderful resource for any questions educators have regarding products, equipment, or safety of materials. Many south central Kansas districts use Evans Ceramics for recommendations and bids of new equipment as they will assure that the correct item is ordered and see the purchase through delivery and final installation. Evans supports art programs financially by providing complimentary clay delivery within the area- a cost that has grown exponentially in recent years. Don often provides free service during these deliveries for adjustment of equipment- so that some repairs are just the cost of parts. Their educator discount makes clay, glazes, and tools affordable for most budgets and they graciously work with purchase orders and district accounting to streamline billing as much as possible. With one of the largest inventories of clay and glazes in the region, teachers can find whatever they need and often at the last minute!

Outstanding Overall Art Educator - Kate Miller

Ms. Miller has taught Elementary Art in Hiawatha, Kansas for the past fourteen years all while supporting the arts across the state and within her community. Outside of the classroom she serves as the forensics coach, on her building and district’s leadership and professional development teams, and as the social media and website manager. Kate has been recognized as both her district’s Elementary Art Teacher of the year in 2013 as well as KAEA’s Outstanding Elementary Art Educator in 2017. In addition to being a public school educator, Kate spends her summers Directing Youth Art Camps- currently at Berkshire Lake in Hinsdale, MA.  

Within KAEA she has led the organization by serving  as the Elementary Representative, President-Elect/President/Past-President, and Mentorship Chair in addition to hosting Summer Camp, regional events, and chairing the 2025 Fall Professional Development Conference in Hiawatha.  Kate has shared her knowledge and expertise through numerous workshop presentations- frequently with a special focus on puppetry incorporating art and her love of theater.

Kate’s leadership goes well beyond her involvement in KAEA.  Examples include helping with the creation and facilitation of OATk12 during the pandemic; participation in numerous National Art Education Association conventions, interest groups, and activities; judging art competitions across the state; and supporting many organizations throughout her community.  Within Hiawatha she has Chaired the Halloween Parade Art Contest, Emceed the Halloween parade, been President of her Chamber and Visitor’s Bureau, and served in numerous roles for the Hiawatha Art and Theater Society- ranging from President of the Society to Director of multiple activities and as the Youth and Talent Coordinators. In 2017 and 2025 she was recognized as the HCVB Volunteer of the Year and in 2026 as the MSB Hometown Hero.

Ms. Miller has had her work featured in Sunflower Spotlights, KAEA Member Shows, and received awards in the Stadler Gallery Area Art Competition.  Her illustrations have been included in several publications including books by DK Graham.  Recently she won the logo design contest for the Hiawatha Halloween Parade and had her work commissioned for a large-scale mural by the HCVB. Other notable achievements include winning national art contests for “Made by Milk” and “Thriftway Receipt Box” and receiving  the $10,000 award in 2023 for the “Stick with Art” contest by Popsicle.  

Dayna Hardin of CampGroup states it best- “What sets Kate apart is not just her range of skills, but her extraordinary ability to connect with young people. Kids gravitate toward her naturally. She brings infectious enthusiasm into every space she teaches, making even the most reluctant student feel excited to create.”

The Kansas Art Education Association is pleased to include the “KAEA Distinguished Fellow” Program into our recognitions. The purpose of the program is to honor members who have made long-term distinguished contributions to the work of the association and to the advancement of the profession.

On an annual basis, our Distinguished Fellows will be recognized at our Fall Professional Development Conferences. Each Distinguished Fellows will receive an art piece created by a Kansas artist as well as lifetime registration to future conferences.

The “KAEA Distinguished Fellows” Class of 2026 Inductees are Mary Ann Tanking and Linda Nelson-Bova.

Mary Ann Tanking received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Colorado State College of Education in 1959 and her Master’s Degree from Fort Hays State University in 1976. She began her teaching career in the Horton Public schools from 1959-1961. She then taught private art lessons in Bison, Kansas for two years. In 1963, Mary Ann started the art programs in Bison, Timken, Albert and Otis. In 1975, while working on her Master’s Degree, she taught as an adjunct professor at Fort Hays State University substituting for a professor who was on sabbatical. In 1976, she began her long tenure of teaching art at Southeast of Saline—retiring after 19 years there. Beginning in 1975, Mary Ann started her next adventure teaching Art Appreciation, Art History and Silversmithing at Kansas Wesleyan University—retiring a second time after 10years at KWU. Once again, she came out of retirement to facilitate the art program at Sunflower Adult Day Service—retiring a third time after 9 years there. Ever the teacher--Mary Ann currently is facilitating an art class for Vietnam Veterans #809 in Salina. Former colleague Terry Anderson shared “One of my favorite memories of Mary Ann is when we were at a KNEA summer workshop and we were playing Trivial Pursuit.  I was on Mary Ann’s team and we were going for the art wedge which with Mary Ann, the art teacher, looked like an easy win.  The question was “What color is Chablis?”  Being the art teacher that she was, she answered that it was a “yellow, urine-ish color.”  The answer was “white”.  We did not get the wedge.” And, “Mary Ann had her own special vocabulary–skosh and smidges–she later named her book this.  She was the most enthusiastic teacher about her subject that I ever met–and she kept up with every new technique and instructional method that other teachers introduced.” Mary Ann has been a member of KAEA since 1981 and has donated her services to the association in many aspects. She has served as President-Elect 1994-1996, President 1996- 1998, Past-President 1998-2000 as well as the Retired Division Representative 2001-2003 and Youth Art Month Co-Chair 1980-1982. She has served as Conference Co-Chair and has presented several workshops at the KAEA Professional Development Conferences. In 2001- 2002, she received the Outstanding Retired Art Educator Award. She has contributed her expertise by teaching many workshops at League Art Festivals and Community Centers and has exhibited her work various venues in Salina, Topeka, Hutchinson, Pratt and McPherson. Linda Nelson-Bova shared “Long-time KAEA members will remember Mary Ann as being part of the “Colby Connection”—a group of art educators who came to the conferences and shared their talents and expertise with their peers, but also had more fun than anyone else at the conferences! They dressed in funny hats, created art and just laughed and laughed together!!” Cal Mahin recalled the importance of this group of 12 teachers who formed to basically create their own pertinent professional development that they weren’t getting in their schools. They even invited the curriculum director to their meeting to see if what they were doing would meet the requirements for credit—it did. They met for 10 years presenting workshops for each other, sharing lesson plans, and making art for one week each summer. Cal described Mary Ann as “someone who was constantly educating other art educators, an excellent art teacher herself and a strong person who was also a lot of fun!” Former colleague Juanelle Garretson shared “Mary Ann loved being an art teacher because it was in her blood to help others make and create what stirred their souls. It didn’t matter what their interest or previous skill set was, she would find a medium or learn of a way to incorporate art into their vision.  In a 3A 7-12 school setting, every period offered a different curriculum. And not only was Mary Ann so diverse with both her sculpture, painting, drawing and fiber arts, she was on a team that taught humanities to all the juniors with the language arts, history, and music instructors at SES for many years. They were one of the best teams in the state of Kansas. Mrs. Tanking never turned a student of any age away and can always find the good in every human being which is the biggest gift a teacher can give their students. “

Linda Nelson-Bova received her Bachelor’s and Master’s of Art Education degrees from the University of Kansas, as well as an additional 60 hours of graduate credit from five other universities.  She taught for 34 years: 12 years at Basehor-Linwood High School and 22 years at Shawnee Heights High School.  She was named Inspirational Teacher of the Year for SHHS in 2010.  Linda served as SHHS’s Fine Arts Department Chair for 10 years, where she organized, facilitated, and chaired “Heights on Display”, an annual all-school showcase.  She implemented and sponsored Art Clubs and an “Outstanding Senior Artist” Award and Scholarship at both BLHS and SHHS.  Linda was named KAEA Outstanding Secondary Art Educator in 1999, KAEA Outstanding Overall Art Educator in 2009, and KAEA Outstanding Retired Art Educator in 2021.       Linda has served KAEA as Membership Chair since 2006, working with conference chairs and various board members each year to verify membership.  She has worked to facilitate endowment grants, Join in July campaigns, and teacher grants for conferences.  Linda maintains multiple databases for KAEA, sends out important information to membership through Constant Contact, and has facilitated the registration for Fall and Summer Professional Development events since 2016.  Linda has co-chaired three Fall Professional Development Conferences and served on the committees of many others.         Linda has mentored many KAEA members over the years.  Secretary Shannon Wedel shared “Linda ‘s knowledge has been invaluable to me since I joined the board several years ago.  I was new to the position of Secretary, and she helped me learn the responsibilities of the job, where to find all of the information I needed, and so much more.  Her mentoring gave me the tools to help me succeed.  I am deeply grateful for everything she has taught me.”         Linda served as KAEA Co-President-Elect 2010-2013, Co-President 2013-2016, and Co-Past President 2016-2018.  Linda was Youth Art Month Co-Chair from 2007-2010, and once again became Co-Chair with Lynn Felts in 2018.  She and Lynn have worked diligently to build the YAM program, earning national level awards each year, receiving the Award of Merit from 2018- 2023, and the Award of Excellence (the second highest award NAEA gives) 2024-2026.  She has served on numerous committees for KAEA, chairing several over the years.  Linda has presented numerous workshops for KAEA, sharing her knowledge with other teachers from all over the state. She has also twice presented at the NAEA Conventions. She has participated in several art exhibits, published articles in KAEA newsletters, journals and city newspapers. She has also been invited to be a judge at many events and has been honored as a keynote speaker as well.       2023 Distinguished Fellows member Marge Banks shared the following: “In working with Linda Nelson-Bova over many years in a variety of capacities, I came to know there is no one more dedicated to KAEA than she. She has contributed to the success of many KAEA projects and events by applying her organizational skills.  She has led by example - assisting board members in different roles, continuing to share her expertise in the classroom in conference presentations, and always being the back-up for any activity. Another one of Linda's strengths is persistence, a necessary quality of a good leader. She's been persistent with record-keeping, with support for individuals building their leadership skills, and with seeing this organization through its ups and downs.  For these and many other reasons, Linda is deserving of the Distinguished Fellowship Award.”       2025 Distinguished Fellows member Lynn Felts shared, “Linda’s service to the KAEA Board and KAEA membership is impeccable, professional, and unwavering.  Linda is distinguished and respected among her colleagues and peers.  Her diligence for getting the job done is exceptional.  Linda is a remarkable woman absolutely deserving of this recognition and induction as a 2026 KAEA Distinguished Fellow.  I am happy to call Linda my friend.”