Platt named Art Educator of the Year

The Sisters School District has one more reason to take pride in its arts program: Carolyn Platt has been selected to receive the Middle School Art Educator of the Year award by the Oregon Arts Education Association (OAEA).

Platt, in her fifth year as art and drama teacher at Sisters Middle School, will be presented with the award at OAEA's October conference at the Portland Art Museum.

"I'm honored that I was even considered to be in their company," Platt said of the OAEA, a not-for-profit organization with a volunteer board of art educators from around the state. She joined the grass-roots organization after determining that it would be a place "where I would learn from these great teachers who are in the trenches."

In fact, Platt jumped in with both feet, teaming up with a group of other Central Oregon art teachers known as the Art Curriculum Action Team (Art CAT) who meet monthly throughout the school year to share resources, ideas, and to generally support one another.

Pat Roberts, the OAEA regional representative for Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties, as well as an art teacher at Pilot Butte Middle School, nominated Platt for the award. Roberts had this to say about her reasons for choosing Platt:

"She has taught our group (Art CAT) several very fun, cool projects that we have been able to use in our classrooms. We meet at different schools, so I have the opportunity to hear as well as see what the art teachers in our region do in their classrooms, schools and communities.

"Every year the OAEA seeks out exemplary Oregon art teachers who are also members of their professional organization to honor. Carolyn has always impressed me with her creativity and commitment to working with middle schoolers. She attends most every OAEA annual fall conference, always participates in our annual Art CAT student/staff shows at COCC and has participated in Scholastic Art Awards these past two years."

Following Roberts' nomination, a special OAEA committee voted to award the 2010/2011 Middle School Art Educator of the Year title to Platt.

Platt regards the OAEA with mutual admiration.

"They are very involved in the community and a bridge between the community and happenings in school," says Platt.

Affiliated with the National Art Education Association and working since 1973 to advance quality visual arts education, the OAEA "do fabulous things including the art displays at the Portland Airport," according to Platt.

Sisters Middle School Principal Kathy Miner was not surprised by Platt's award.

"Carolyn is a dynamic and student-centered art teacher ... a role model for artistic exploration and expression for her art students, the school community and the greater community of Sisters. We are thrilled that her work is being recognized with such an award," said Miner.

Roberts echoed that praise of Platt's faithful involvement in community arts programs. Among other contributions, Platt donates art pieces and teaches open house workshops for My Own Two Hands, which funds the Sisters Americana Project.

Principal Miner calls Platt's classroom "a fun place to be, explore and develop an interest in art," and Platt's teaching methods "encouraging and supportive ... (helping) middle school students to explore and discover their artistic potential and build confidence."

Sixth grader Olivia Stewart couldn't agree more, calling Platt's art class "really fun, not too form-fitting, loose and freestyle. She made me feel like I could do anything and not be judged."

"Carolyn truly understands how to encourage middle-school-age students to explore their interests, develop their talents and consider new ways to express and discover themselves," said Miner. "The middle school teachers and I are proud of Carolyn Platt's accomplishments. We're also grateful to have the support of the Sisters community. Our community - thankfully - recognizes the importance of having a quality art program in our school and we are grateful to have that support."