Dr. Michaelann Kelley, Ed. D., Department of Creative Arts Chair and Assistant Professor, Receives Ohio Art Education Association Award!
Dr. Michaelann Kelley, Ed. D., is the Department of Creative Arts Chair and an Assistant Professor at Mount St. Joseph University. She was recently recognized for an OAEA Award for “Distinguished Fellows – 2024 Inductees” from the Ohio Art Education Association at their Annual 2024 OAEA Conference in Sandusky, Ohio earlier in November. Receiving an OAEA Award is a great honor and a testament to the dedication of Michaelann Kelley as an art educator and her service to the OAEA organization.
“The Ohio Art Education Association (OAEA) is the leading professional membership organization exclusively for visual arts educators in Ohio. Members include elementary, middle, and high school visual arts educators; college and university professors; researchers and scholars; teaching artists; administrators and supervisors; and art museum educators. OAEA’s mission is to build a community for visual art educators by promoting professional growth and leadership.” OAEA
“Dr. Michaelann Kelley’s career has come full circle. She began her art education at the College of Mount St. Joseph (now Mount St. Joseph University), earning her B.A. in Art and her M.A. in Education. During these years she became a member of OAEA. She then moved to Texas and worked in the Aldine School District. During her tenure, she focused on rebuilding the art program PK-12. She prides herself on increasing the number of art educators in the system from 36-94. In 2017, Hurricane Harvey made a direct hit on the area resulting in the loss of art educators. Her work focused on the rebirth of the art program and ensuring the teachers have been hired back. During her time in Texas, she earned her Ph. D. and was fully involved in the Texas Art Education Association (TAEA). An advocate for the importance of being involved in professional organizations she encouraged membership throughout her district while serving in a variety of positions including YPAE/YAM chairman, conference positions, and President-Elect.
Even while in Texas she continued to stay connected to her Ohio roots, accepting student teachers from Mount St. Joseph and Bowling Green. She returned to Mount St. Joseph in 2021 and immediately became a leader in OAEA as chair of the High Ed Division. An author or co-author of over 27 books, book chapters, and articles in juried journals, she has been a regular presenter at TAEA, OAEA, NAEA, and American Educational Research Association (AREA).” (OAEA Awards)
Dr. Michaelann Kelley returned to Mount St. Joseph University in 2021. She is the Department of Creative Arts Chair and an Assistant Professor. “She has developed increased alignment across our fine art, graphic design, and art education programs. Increasing enrollment and our connections to local artists and our local arts organizations” (Michael Sontag, Ph. D., Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences, Associate Professor). “Through research, detailed planning, and innovative strategies, Dr. Kelley specifically helps her pre-service art education students acquire the knowledge and methodology needed to be proficient in teaching art” (Susan Ruttle Lawrence, M.A., Program Director of Art Education).
Michaelann Kelley states, “I see my best work in the lives of my former students. The impact of an art teacher is not always in how many presentations they have or how many grants they wrote, but in the way their classroom created a culture of collaboration and reflection. I feel that I have made an impact on art education behind the scenes. I have tried to always support and promote the works of others. I am working to be the support for our next generation of leaders in art education. My impact on art education in Texas and Ohio can be seen in my students, in the foundational work on established programs, and now with my work with pre-service art education students and being the OAEA Higher Education Division Chair” (Michaelann Kelley, Ed. D., Department of Creative Arts Chair and Associate Professor).
Congratulations Dr. Michaelann Kelley for receiving an OAEA Award for “Distinguished Fellows – 2024 Inductees” from the Ohio Art Education Association! Mount St. Joseph University and the OAEA are fortunate for your dedication and service!