2021 MAEA Maine Art Educator of the Year: 
​Jodi Thomas

Jodi Thomas, Visual Art Teacher at Thornton Academy, Saco, Maine, has been named the Maine At Education Association (MAEA) Art Educator of the Year for 2021.  Since 2002, Ms. Thomas has been teaching Visual Art I, Photography, Honors Fine Art Portfolio Preparation, Honors Visual Arts, and Advanced Placement Studio Art classes.  Megan Bainbridge, Class of 2019 Visual Art Student, advised the MAEA of her belief in Ms. Thomas as a classroom educator:  “I think this is the most notable aspect of the class environment she creates––students are comfortable enough to express creativity, while still understanding the effort that they must put in to succeed.”  As a Thornton Academy Teachers Association Member, Ms. Thornton still performs annual duties including Museum Field Trip Organizer and Chaperone, Permanent Art Collection Committee Founder and Chairperson, and Photography Club Founder and Advisor.  Jennifer Witherell-Stebbins, Thornton Academy Arts Department Head, stated that “Jodi’s commitment to creating original works of art with students runs very deep. It is not just a job for her- it is her.   Jodi’s mission, if you will, is to have students search for their true selves through their work in art. Her level of care and concern goes beyond grades, scores and college acceptances. Jodi’s contribution to the development of teenagers in her care cannot be measured by any of those things. Students who are lucky enough to be in her class have a rare opportunity at self-discovery, reflection and growth. Not only does she hold students to high standards, she celebrates with them when they have finally found what they were searching for.”
 
Ms. Thomas has been an active MAEA member since 1996, working as a Presenter at MAEA Conferences, Chairperson for both the Interest Group of Photography Educators and the Handbook Committee, as well as a past Membership Coordinator, Exhibitions Committee Member and Scholarship Committee Evaluator.  Her commitment and dedication to the continued advancement of art education in Maine is to be commended.
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2021 MAEA Middle Level Art Educator of the Year:
​Libby Winslow

RSU #40, Waldoboro- Libbie Winslow, Visual Art Teacher at Medomak Middle School, Waldoboro, Maine, has been named the Maine At Education Association (MAEA) Middle Level Art Educator of the Year for 2021.  After receiving her B.A. in Art from the University of Southern Maine, Libbie began her career in St. George, moving to RSU #40 in 1987.  During the past 36 years, she has devoted herself to serving the students and communities in her district; having taught at all levels K-8 and Adult Ed.  A strong advocate for student display, Ms. Winslow encourages students to enter contests. Ms. Winslow  uses community venues to showcase student achievement in the visual arts, submitting student work to the Portland Museum of Art annually; and, for the last several years, she has spearheaded the District Art show, a display across all the arts every four years, for grades K-12.    Kate Race, Principal at Medomak Middle School, stated that Ms. Winslow “implements a full circle of best practice every day, every class, every student.“   One best practice that Ms. Winslow highlighted for the MAEA is her initiation of a 6th grade mural in the school representing the class before they moved to middle school.  She has continued the mural project in all 5 elementary schools.         
 
A model for other teachers in all academic areas with regard to lesson development, presentation and evaluation,  Ms. Thomas is an active MAEA member, having participated in the MAEA Fall Conference at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts and presented at state-wide art conferences.  Ms. Winslow has also led workshops for the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland.  Her commitment and dedication to the continued advancement of art education in Maine is to be commended.  Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, a statewide awards ceremony will be held online in the near future until the MAEA is once again able to host public ceremonies.  We thank Ms. Winslow for her continued dedication to the arts in Maine!

2021 MAEA Secondary Level Art Educator of the Year:
​Raegan Russell

Raegan Russell, Visual Art Teacher at Berwick Academy, South Berwick, Maine, has been named the Maine Art Education Association (MAEA) Secondary Art Educator of the Year for 2021.  When asked about her role within art education here in Maine, Ms. Russell stated:  “Coming from a kid who lived her life in the art room, I know in my bones that art gave me a clear way to interpret and handle the world at times...I challenge my students to think of themselves as artists who have the power to impact their community.”  Ms. Russell has been leading student international trips, museum field trips, and collaborative projects with community programs outside of the Berwick Academy campus since joining the educational staff there. Ms. Russell became the 2019 art teacher delegate to Aomori, Japan, where she worked with the students in Aomori to create traditional woodblock prints.
 
Raegan Russell has been an active MAEA member; and her commitment and dedication to the continued advancement of art education in Maine is to be commended.  Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, a statewide awards ceremony will be held online in the near future until the MAEA is once again able to host public ceremonies.  We thank Ms. Thomas for her continued dedication to the arts in Maine!