Washington Art Education Association (WAEA) awarded Tacoma Art Museums School Program Coordinator Carri Campbell as the Museum Educator of the Year for her outstanding performance in the field of art education. This annual award recognizes individuals who support arts education in Washington state. Campbell was recognized for her one-on-one art education guidance to educators in the Yelm Community, White River, and Tacoma Public school districts.
Throughout the year, WAEA members nominate people who are doing a superior job of supporting and promoting quality arts education. Campbell, a certified Washington state teacher, with a background in K-12 arts education, was nominated for this prestigious award by past president of WAEA and Art Specialist Mari Evans, of Mill Pond Intermediate in Yelm.
At Mill Pond Intermediate, Evans prepares students and their teachers for field trips to museums. It is so easy to do this task because of the quality teacher preparatory materials, noted Evans. Campbell develops and distributes pre-visit lessons for educators planning to bring their students to the museum. Materials include vocabulary, grade adaptable lessons and activities, as well as a video. The classroom teachers also have used these materials. We find the materials very teacher friendly Evans stated.
About the visits students make to the museum, Evans said, Because of the positive experience the students have visiting Tacoma Art Museum, it is not difficult for parent volunteers and the classroom teachers to become excited about participating. Students are always excited when they return and can’t wait to tell me what they experienced and saw.
The WAEA Board was unanimous in its desire to recognize and honor Campbells work in the field of art education. Virginia Lane, Awards Chair of the WAEA Board commented, If we had the category, your whole education department would have received an award. Lane added that Tacoma Art Museum staff is doing a wonderful job working with the schools and community to bring students to the museum and the world of art to our public school students.
Serving over 500 teachers annually, Tacoma Art Museums distinctive commitment to educator development extends beyond that of a traditional art museum. The museum is a founding member of nationally acclaimed Arts Impact, which provides extensive across-the-curriculum arts instruction to hundreds of Puget Sound K-8 grade teachers.
