The Kansas Art Education Association (KAEA) has named Elizabeth J. Madden the 2024-25 Outstanding Elementary Art Educator of the year. The award will be officially presented at the KAEA Fall Conference at 11 a.m. on Saturday Oct. 19 in the Rock Springs Conference Center Heritage Hall Auditorium, 5405 W. Hwy K157, Junction City.

Elizabeth Madden is a highly respected Kansas art teacher who has served as the Sterling Grade School Art Teacher for 20 years. In 2014 Madden initiated and helped create the art program at Chase Grade School where she taught from 2014-2024. This year she will add K-6 Art at the Holy Family Catholic School in Great Bend to her teaching repertoire. Madden earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education from Kansas State University with an art endorsement. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Arts in Art Leadership and Management at Wichita State University.

According to her colleague Kay Comely, “Elizabeth stands out in mastery of knowing what to teach, how to teach, and creating new ways to help the children learn. She makes it look effortless but is spot on for following standards and truly making her art class educational and enjoyable.” Comely concludes “Elizabeth goes out of her way to show kindness and compassion. She has managed to find the perfect blend of caring, high expectations for student effort, and behavior.”

Elizabeth Madden extends her passion for art into the community, teaching classes, serving as a juror, and organizing exhibitions for the Sterling Recreation Commission, Sterling College, the Kansas State Fair, local galleries and multiple other community organizations. 

“Elizabeth Madden is a valued leader in Kansas Art Education. She has initiated many efforts to sustain and support Art Education in her community, in Kansas and in the nation,” states Kathy Schroeder, Past President of the Kansas Art Education Association. Madden served the KAEA as Secretary, President Elect, President, Past President and Awards Chair. She was instrumental in advocating to the Kansas State Board of Education for the retention of the Kansas Fine Arts Graduation Credit. Madden was Kansas’ Delegate to the Convention of the National Art Education Association numerous times and has represented Kansas at multiple Western Region and National Leadership Conferences. 

Sterling Grade School principal Brennan Riffel said “Elizabeth Madden’s exceptional contributions to our school’s art program, her engagement with the community, her strong relationships with students and colleagues, and her professional achievements, make her an outstanding candidate for Elementary Art Teacher of the Year.“

The Kansas Art Education Association (KAEA) is a statewide professional organization dedicated to the growth and development of art educators and the advancement of high quality art education.