Broadus Art Teacher Kate Ruland poses with her awards for winning Montana Art Teacher of the year, including a certificate, year membership to the national art educator association, $160 gift certificate to Blick art, and most prominently a handmade hat, courtesy of last year's state winner, Tess Jacobs of Great Falls. (Photos courtesy MAEA)
Kate Ruland with a quick finish art project from Western Art Week in Great Falls.
By Montana Art Education Association
This year MAEA has awarded Kate Ruland from Powder River County District High School in Broadus the Montana Art Education Teacher of the Year. Kate has been in education over twenty years teaching at Harlowton High School, Lewistown Jr. High School, Fergus High School, St. Labre Indian Catholic School, and now currently at Powder River County District High School in Broadus.
Here is a small part of the nomination letter for Mrs. Ruland: "Katherine is an extraordinary educator who consistently goes above and beyond to create a nurturing and inspiring learning environment for her students. Her ability to connect with every student, regardless of their background or learning style, is truly exceptional. She possesses the unique talent of making each student feel valued, recognized, and motivated to reach their full potential."
Kate is also the treasurer for the Montana Art Education Association and will be attending the National Art Education Conference in Minneapolis, MN. She will be going as a delegate for the state of Montana along with the President of the MAEA. MAEA has sent all of her information in for the national award, and we hope she is selected.
National Art Education Association Awards Program was initiated to recognize outstanding art educators in all NAEA Divisions and Regions and from each state and province. Montana Art Education Association nominates one teacher for Montana Art Teacher of the Year. The winning teacher will then be nominated for the NAEA Art Teacher of the Year. The winning national art teacher will be announced at the National Art Education Conference in Minneapolis, MN April 4-6 2024.
Congratulations Kate Ruland MAEA Art Teacher of the Year!
Editor: Kate tells us that she is also in the running for Pacific Region Teacher of the Year, along with the National Art Teacher nomination. She commented in an email: "I owe a lot of my success to the fact that I had a wonderful student teaching experience right here in Broadus under the wing of former art teacher Connie Barnhart. And as icing on the cake I was just notified that one of my scratchboard pieces was selected for the 2023 NAEA Members Virtual exhibit. Out of 546 entries nationwide they accepted 95, and my art made the cut."
Former Broadus art teacher Connie Barnhart won the Montana Art Teacher of the Year award in 2020.
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