The Kansas Art Education Association (KAEA) has named Elizabeth J. Madden the 2024-25 Outstanding Elementary School Art Educator of the Year. The official awards ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 19, at the KAEA Fall Conference in the Heritage Hall Auditorium of the Rock Springs Conference Center, 5405 W. Hwy K157, Junction City.
Elizabeth Madden is a highly respected Kansas art teacher who served as an art teacher at Sterling Grade School for 20 years. In 2014, Madden initiated and helped establish the art program at Chase Grade School, where she taught from 2014-2024. This year, she will expand her teaching repertoire to include art for grades K-6 at Holy Family Catholic School in Great Bend. Madden holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Kansas State University with an arts endorsement. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Art Leadership and Management at Wichita State University.
According to her colleague Kay Comely, “Elizabeth stands out for her mastery: she knows what and how to teach, and she creates new ways to help the children learn. She makes it look effortless, but follows the standards closely, making her art classes truly educational and fun.” Comely concludes, “Elizabeth goes out of her way to show kindness and compassion. She has managed to find the perfect mix of caring, high expectations for students’ effort and behavior.”
Elizabeth Madden also brings her passion for art into the community, teaching, judging, and organizing exhibitions for the Sterling Recreation Commission, Sterling College, the Kansas State Fair, local galleries, and numerous other community organizations.
“Elizabeth Madden is a valued leader in arts education in Kansas. She has started many initiatives to preserve and support arts education in her community, in Kansas, and across the country,” explains Kathy Schroeder, past president of the Kansas Art Education Association. Madden has served KAEA as secretary, president-elect, president, past president, and award winner. She was instrumental in advocating with the Kansas State Board of Education to retain the Kansas Fine Arts Graduation Credit. Madden has served as Kansas’ delegate to the National Art Education Association convention several times and has represented Kansas at several Western Region and National Leadership Conferences.
Brennan Riffel, principal of Sterling Grade School, said, “Elizabeth Madden’s exceptional contributions to our school’s arts program, her community involvement, her close relationships with students and colleagues, and her professional accomplishments make her an excellent candidate for Elementary School Art Teacher of the Year.”
The Kansas Art Education Association (KAEA) is a statewide professional organization dedicated to the advancement and development of art educators and the promotion of quality arts education.
