awards

Art Educators of Minnesota appreciates and recognizes the outstanding leadership, dedication and community involvement of our members. We recognize these achievements through annual awards including: Emerging Art Educator, Elementary, Middle, Secondary, Higher Education, K-12, Museum Education, Service within Profession, Administration/Supervision and Emeritus on the local, state and/or national levels.

Aem award qualifications

See the categories and specifications below for each award.
Nominations for the 2026-2027 Awards will ARE OPEN UNTIL MAY 31, 2026!

EMERGING art educator of the year

Awarded to a teacher in first 3 years of teaching. Candidate must show evidence of supporting state and national art education initiatives, demonstrate effectiveness in the classroom and in the school community, and show leadership and commitment to the art education field.

divisional art educator of the year

Division Awards awarded to an AEM member from each division who has significantly contributed to the individual's division in art education. (Elementary, Middle, Secondary, Higher Education, K-12, Museum Education, Service within Profession, Administration and Emeritus on the local, state and/or national levels)

minnesota art educator of the year

Selected from the award winners from each division. This award is recognized both at state and National level.

A candidate may be nominated in more than one category if professional career demonstrates qualifications.

If you have any questions regarding AEM Awards, please contact pastpresident@artedmn.org

2025-2026 Recipients

Man in a dark jacket and blue baseball cap smiling and standing outside a school building.

MN Art educator of the year

NoRA SCHULL

Woman with dark hair, maroon shirt, and colorful scarf smiling and standing in front of a bulletin board filled with art.

elementary Art educator of the year

JULES BELMONT

Woman with dark hair, maroon shirt, and colorful scarf smiling and standing in front of a bulletin board filled with art.

Middle school Art educator of the year

Renee Sonka

Man in a dark jacket and blue baseball cap smiling and standing outside a school building.

SECONDARY Art educator of the year

Nicole Mentjes

Woman with dark hair, maroon shirt, and colorful scarf smiling and standing in front of a bulletin board filled with art.

EMERITUS Art educator of the year

Marilyn Fredrickson

Woman with strawberry blonde hair and white tshirt smiling inside a vehicle.

ADMINISTRATOR of the year

NoRA SCHULL

Blonde woman with dangling earrings and black shirt smiling in front of a blue school portrait background

distinguished service within the profession

KARI HALKER-SAATHOff

A gentleman with white hair and beard smiling

distinguished service within the profession

LYDIA FOUR HORNS