Shelly Bushon-Clark was named 2016 Southeastern Regional Elementary Art Teacher of the Year

BOWLING GREEN, KY — The National Art Education Association has named Shelly J. (Bushong) Clark, of Bowling Green, KY, to receive the 2016 Southeastern Regional Elementary Art Educator of the Year Award.

Clark is the daughter of Sam and Sue Bushong, Warsaw, and Bonnie and Gene Nicolai, (Goshen- formally Milford, and a 1988 graduate of Wawasee High School where she participated in the cadett teaching program under Terry Iden during her senior year.  She always knew she wanted to be a teacher.

Clark credits her desire to be a teacher to outstanding teachers she experienced as she made her way through the Wawasee Community School system like Carolyn Baker, Cindy Bryant and Iden.  They were always more than just teachers but guides, positive role models that always stressed the importance of doing 110 percent.

Clark said she does not remember the first time she wanted to be a teacher but knows the 10 years she spent as a 4-H member through the Elkhart County fair had a lot to do with it as she helped younger 4-H’ers and learned to create unique projects.  She said she was also influenced through Hex Grange and her church learning many leadership and craftsmanship skills through the community volunteer projects.

Clark was a long time local resident from birth until she left for Purdue University to obtain her teaching degree.

Clark holds a Masters degree in Art Education from Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Ky.

She has taught Visual Arts for Warren County schools for over 20 years in various levels but mostly as an itinerant in elementary with approximately 1,200 students. She is presently teaching at Briarwood and Richardsville Elementaries where she says her students influence and spark her creativity daily to be not only a better teacher but artist.

Clark says “Teaching Visual Art is my passion. I have come to believe in a time when we are bombarded with images (T.V., internet, advertising….) that we need to be able to communicate in this visual world, understand what is coming at us, and how people can manipulate our reactions. The inspiration and the creativity is absolutely contagious between my students and I. We embark on self-discovery, critical thinking, and problem solving that is infectious.”

Visual Art teachers in Kentucky were not surprised to see her chosen for the South Eastern award since they voted her the Kentucky Elementary Visual Arts teacher last year to represent the state. Katrina Bullington commented, “ Shelly is so dedicated to her students and cares deeply for each and their needs. I am continually surprised by the work turned out by her elementary students and their talent.”

Her fellow teachers see the outstanding job she does as well. Andrea Nance, the music teacher at Briarwood states, “Mrs. Clark has always gone above and beyond to make sure the needs of her students are met and it is not uncommon for her to purchase art supplies with her own money to ensure her students are able to learn.

“Mrs. Clark is very generous of her time and talent to help any teacher or student that needs help. Our students have won the state elementary level flag competition  four years in a row, state art award, and last year we had a national winner. She volunteers to help with the talent show and musicals as well as assisting in being a team leader for the Arts and Humanities Program Review for our school.”

The Kentucky Education Association recently asked Clark to be one of six teachers to work on the state Arts and Humanities Cadre. She will be presenting the new Arts national and state standards across the state to inform her fellow teachers. These are but a few of the things that Art teacher Shelly Clark has accomplished in her classroom and outside.

As Clark is a true advocate for the arts it should come as no surprise that the National Art Education Association has named Clark to receive the 2016 Southeastern Regional Elementary Art Educator of the Year Award. This prestigious award, determined through a peer review of nominations, recognizes the exemplary contributions, service, and achievements of an outstanding NAEA member annually at the Regional level within their division. The award was presented at the NAEA National Convention in Chicago, IL, March 17, 2016.

NAEA President Patricia Franklin states, “This award is being given to recognize excellence in professional accomplishment and service by a dedicated art educator. Shelly J. (Bushong) Clark exemplifies the highly qualified art educators active in education today: leaders, teachers, students, scholars, and advocates who give their best to their students and the profession.”