Michigan State University alumna Kerry Shadbolt was recently named the 2016 Michigan Art Teacher of the Year and the Secondary Level Art Educator of the Year. She received the honors from the Michigan Art Education Association on Oct. 17 at the Grand Rapids Art Museum.
Shadbolt, B.F.A. ’99 (Art Education) and M.A. ’07 (Educational Technology), teaches art, graphic design and digital photography at Williamston High School, where she has taught since 2008.
She was nominated for the award by previous winner Heidi Irvine from the Holt school district—and also received praise from Punya Mishra, director of the Master of Arts in Educational Technology program in the College of Education.
“In our program, Kerry was always seen as being a master teacher and engaged learner, with a deep commitment to the arts and the role that technology can play in education,” Mishra said. “Kerry goes above and beyond for her students and colleagues, taking opportunities to serve the profession and to be a teacher leader. We are excited for her accomplishments, proud of all she has done and are looking forward to all she will do in the future.”
Shadbolt credits a lot of her preparation for and success as a teacher to her time at MSU. She comes from a family of educators, and spent time helping out in her mother’s preschool class when she was younger. It was her mother who initially suggested she become a teacher.
“I felt so relieved to find my space at MSU,” Shadbolt said. “The College of Education has a dynamite Teacher Preparation Program, and the educational psychology classes are fantastic. The full-year internship was key to my understanding of teaching and feeling prepared to go into the classroom.”
In addition to her teaching position, Shadbolt will also be hosting the Williamston Figure Study Class for all ages beginning in January. More information about the class and how to register can be found here.