FOUR M-DCPS EDUCATORS WIN MAJOR HONORS FROM THE
FLORIDA ART EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

Four Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ art educators are being recognized this year by the Florida Art Education Association (FAEA): three teachers are recipients of the Florida 2015 Outstanding Art Educator of the Year Awards – one for each school level – and one principal is the FAEA Principal of the Year.

Patricia Cummins, recently retired from Palmetto Elementary, won the elementary school award; Lourdes Fuller of Shenandoah Middle won the middle school award; Beth Goldstein of Miami Springs Senior High is the Florida Art Educator of the Year; and Dr. Miguel A. Balsera, principal of Miami Arts Studio 6-12 @ Zelda Glazer, won the FAEA Principal of the Year award. They will be honored during the 63rd Annual FAEA Conference, October 8-11, 2015, in Naples, Fla. This year’s conference theme is “In Focus: Education through the Artist’s Lens.”

Each year, FAEA recognizes members who have reached the highest level of professionalism and who have made significant achievements in the classroom and to visual arts education. These individuals have contributed to the area of research and development and are personally working as artists themselves, having professionally exhibited their artwork at various venues and different competitions.

One such competition is The Fairchild Challenge conducted under the auspices of the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens, where Cummins, Fuller and Goldstein, encouraged their students to participate. This competition is open to all students in Pre-K -12, and it inspires them to create environmentally themed projects.

These educators credit their time spent studying at Florida International University, their on-going participation in professional development, and their belief in lifelong learning for their development as successful art educators and professionals who authentically understand creativity and who can connect with their students, parents, administrators and community.

For additional information, please contact: Mabel Morales, District Supervisor, Visual Arts, Miami Dade County Public Schools, Mmorales14@dadeschools.net or 305-995-1930.

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15-DGD/055/TC

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