A Vicksburg teacher has been named the 2008 Outstanding Secondary Art Educator of the Year by the Mississippi Art Education Association.

Kathy Gibson, who has been a visual arts instructor at Vicksburg High School for seven years, said she was “surprised and pleased” by the honor.

“The award is based on what you’ve done in the community and organizations that support art education that you’re in,” said Gibson. “You have to be nominated by a member of the association, then send in two recommendations, then they choose. I was nominated by Pamela Farr, the other ceramics teacher at Vicksburg High School.”

In addition her job at Vicksburg High, Gibson teaches art classes for adults and children at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center. She is a member of the Mississippi Alliance for Art Education, the Vicksburg Art Association and is the secretary for the MAEA.

Prior to teaching at Vicksburg High, Gibson taught art for five years, rotating among South Park, Warrenton and Cedars elementary schools.

“It’s been a great pleasure serving with her on the board,” said MAEA president-elect Limuel Eubanks. “She is a great teacher who has a lot of compassion for her students in addition to being committed to serving on the board. Not only does she reach her students, but she is reaching out to other teachers in the state, her colleagues, and I think that says a lot about her as a person.”

Eubanks declined to say how many people were nominated for the honor, but said it was more than five.

The MAEA is affiliated with the National Art Educators Association and is a resource for art educators within the state of Mississippi.

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Contact Megan Holland mholland@vicksburgpost.com.