Teachers honored

Two Cape Girardeau art teachers were recently recognized by the Missouri Art Education Association for their commitment to art education.

Sharon Williams, who has taught art in Cape Girardeau elementary schools for 40 years, was named the Missouri Retired Art Educator of the Year. And Elizabeth Thomas, who has taught art at Cape Girardeau Central High School for nine years as well as at schools in Kansas City, Mo., and Sikeston, Mo., was named the 2011 Art Educator of the Year.

Both honorees have been invited to the state and national conventions in March to be recognized.

The Missouri Art Education Association annually accepts nominations to honor art educators in 10 categories, ranging from elementary to higher education to museum education. Incredibly, the Cape Girardeau Public School District has two award recipients -- a distinction that MAEA former communications director Mark Anderson said is unusual and speaks volumes for the school district's art program.

Education in the arts is indeed a critical component to a well-rounded education. Thank you to the Cape Girardeau School District for continuing to fund these programs.

Our local schools are blessed with many outstanding educators, many of whom receive no formal recognition. To these individuals, thank you. You are making a difference in the lives of our area students. Congratulations to Williams and Thomas for their well-deserved honors.