Shannon Wedel has been named the 2023 Overall Outstanding Art Educator of the Year. The Kansas Art Education Association (KAEA) presented the award at its fall conference on Oct. 7 at Emporia State University. 

Wedel has taught Elementary Art for the Great Bend school district for 28 years and has served as the K-12 department chair since 2005. She has served KAEA in multiple capacities, serving on countless committees with her most recent position as secretary. As secretary, she has helped digitize all the KAEA archives. 

She served as the conference chair for the Fall Conference in 2007 and hosted the Fiber Fest Summer Camp in 2023. She has also made presentations at multiple KAEA fall conferences and was chosen to present “Archeology, Can You Dig It?” at the National Art Education Association’s convention in New York City. 

In 2013, she was recognized as the Outstanding Elementary Art Educator of the Year.

USD 428 Assistant Superintendent Tricia Reiser praised Wedel in her nominating comments, submitted in May. “When you mix her passion for art with her commitment to student achievement, it is no surprise she thrives as an educator.”

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