Each year, nominations are sought by the VAAE Board to honor those who provide and support the arts in Vermont schools. At the Annual Arts Education Conference in September, the Vermont Alliance for Arts Education awarded visual arts educator, Marilee Blodgett the Arts Teacher Award and Hartford School District Superintendent Carl Mock, the Administrator Award.

During Superintendent Mock's nine years of leadership, the Hartford district has experienced an over all nurturing and strengthening of the K-12 visual art program as a result of his support. Both the high school and elementary visual arts staffs have increased, enabling high school students a greater array and depth in arts courses. Upper elementary class time has increased and classroom teachers have time for special projects integrating the visual arts into classroom curriculum. During this same time, each school saw additions or renovations of art rooms. Two of three elementary art rooms were redesigned and a third was completely renovated. A spacious and light filled art room was newly added to the middle school and the high school gained a third art room.

Judith Pettingell, visual arts teacher at the White River and Ottauquechee School wrote that perhaps one of the areas Mock has made a major impact has been the way he has led the way or facilitated visual arts staffs' involvement with the surrounding community. He has encouraged communication and involvement with the Dartmouth's Hood Museum. Also, he has made funds available and supported personnel to create a district-wide three-day art show featuring work from every K-12 student taking visual arts. This event held every other year, now includes art demonstrations, e.g. silk screening, mask making as well as performances by local dance groups. In alternate years, support has been strong for efforts to bring art into the community in other ways such as, exhibitions in downtown White River store fronts.

Greatly appreciated by Mock's staff is his keen interest in what they do. He not only tells teachers he appreciates them, but he sends letters of commendations for the extra things they do.

In a note on his resume, Mock said, " The contribution of this superintendent truly pales in comparison to the work of these wonderful people (Hartford's visual arts staff)!" Carl Mock is truly an example for all school administrators to follow and it was a pleasure to honor him for his support of staff and students.

Ludlow Elementary Visual Arts teacher, Marilee Blodgett's nomination caused the office fax machine "heart failure!" Marilee's colleagues and administrators wanted all to know of this talented, dedicated and outstanding person who was also warded the 1991 Outstanding Teacher Award by the University of Vermont. Not only has she received honors and awards, but also her students have been the recipients of multiple regional and state awards.

Marilee's contributions to education go beyond teaching. She has written and implemented art curriculum for her school with emphasis on integrating the arts in the mainstream by connecting reading, writing and the arts through reflections and self-evaluation. She has established inquiry based learning stations titled "be Art Smart." She has developed, implemented, and chaired a school-wide thematic unit of study on an annual basis. Marilee includes the community in school art activities through an annual Arts Festival that engages both students and community people. Marilee's commitment to professional growth demonstrates similar dedication. She has chaired and acquired a New American Schools Grant to assist her school in restructuring; earned her Master's Degree and is completing her Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study. Last year, she and her school were awarded a Vermont Arts Council's Millennium Arts Project grant.

Principal, Ray Pentkowski, wrote that "Marilee is much more than an art teacher. She is a model of professionalism that exhibits the three characteristics I look for, competence, confidence and caring. She gives 100% to her work and is excellent at communicating with students, parents, colleagues, and others. She is flexible, has a great love of learning, and is extremely supportive of her fellow professionals."

Dr. Nancy E. Young, Superintendent of Schools, continued to say: "Marilee's most remarkable quality is her character. She is an individual of great integrity, generosity, and honesty. Her colleagues, students' parents, and the community hold her in the highest regard." VAAE is proud to salute Marilee Blodgett as one of Vermont's finest arts educators.