Two Cape art teachers honored by state

Sharon Williams and Elizabeth Thomas have created countless works of art in their professional lives, but they rank among their masterpieces the thousands of children they've taught.

The longtime Cape Girardeau School District art teachers have been recognized for the ultimate in education excellence from the Missouri Art Education Association.

Thomas has been named 2011 Art Educator of the Year, and Williams is Missouri Retired Art Educator of the Year. They have been invited to the state and national conventions in March to receive their recognition.

"I was blown away. I really couldn't believe it," Thomas, art teacher at Central High School, said of the honor. "It's an unreal experience."

What's remarkable, it appears, is that the school district boasts two award recipients.

The Missouri Art Education Association each year accepts nominations honoring outstanding art educators in 10 categories, from elementary to higher education to museum education.

"I don't know that it has happened in the past, but I would definitely categorize it as an unusual event," said Mark Anderson, MAEA former communications director of two teachers from the same district receiving the awards. "I know it speaks highly of those individual teachers and their respective programs."

Williams' teaching career in Cape Girardeau spans 40 years. She was hired fresh from graduating from Southeast Missouri State University in 1971 and has served in elementary art ever since. While principally at Alma Schrader, Williams has taught in just about every elementary school in the Cape Girardeau School District. Though retired, she continues to teach 14 hours a week.

"I knew long ago I chose the correct path," Williams said. "Some people are in jobs 15 years and hate to go to work every day. When I was a student teacher I'd go to school and before I knew it the day was over. I thought, 'That's a good sign.'"

Thomas has been at the high school for nine years. Before that, she taught art at schools in Kansas City, Mo., and Sikeston, Mo.

She's also an accomplished artist in her own right. She owns the Black Door Gallery on Spanish Street, a place for her fellow teachers and students, especially female artists, to show their work.

"Art is a very important part of life," Thomas said. "It's been a way to introduce going to the gallery with my students, promote their art and for them to be able to see local work."

Mike Cowan, principal at Central High School, nominated Thomas for the award. He described the art teacher as a "vibrant personality" with a "charming sense of humor."

"When you see Elizabeth coming down the hallway, you almost start smiling immediately as you see her," Cowan said. "She really is a gifted teacher."

Williams and Thomas have seen a lot of changes in art education over the years, most dishearteningly, they say, the constant budget cuts to the arts.

"I think people think of it as a frill, like it's an extra little bonus that children can have fun at. But there's so much learning going on," Williams said.

School budgets for visual and performing arts and music often are the first programs targeted for cuts, particularly in standards-based education where math and communication arts proficiency scores drive funding. This despite volumes of studies showing the positive impact the arts have on a student's comprehensive education.

Williams and Thomas say Cape Girardeau's public schools have maintained a commitment to enhancing arts programs, but they know not much is certain in these challenging budgetary times.

They say the fond memories in the classroom are too many to count. They advise new teachers coming into the field to enjoy every minute.

"Don't sweat the little things," Williams said. "Some days you feel so frustrated and you think, 'Why am I doing this?' But when you see the joy on those kids' faces looking forward to coming to art class, that's the reward."

mkittle@semissourian.com

388-3627

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1000 S. Silver Springs Road, Cape Girardeau, MO

1360 Randol Ave., Cape Girardeau, MO