On Sunday, Nov. 19, arts educators and school administrators from across New York State will gather in Albany to celebrate their peers who have been chosen as the most influential art educators of the year for 2023. Among this select group of honorees at the New York State Art Teachers Association (NYSATA) annual conference will be Bethlehem’s K-12 art department supervisor Melanie Painter, who has been named Art Educator of the Year for NYSATA Region 6.

Region 6 includes the counties of Schoharie, Albany, Columbia, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren, and Washington. 

Painter was nominated for the award by district art teachers Emily Juda, Marielle Martin, Kate Hahn, Corey Fong and Deb Anderson for both outstanding contributions to the field of art education and for service to the regional and state art teachers’ organization. 

“No one is more deserving of this award,” said Superintendent Jody Monroe. “Melanie Painter is an ‘influencer’ in the greatest sense of the word.  Not only is she a role model for students and staff here at BC, she is uniquely committed to bringing art appreciation from the school out to the greater community. We are impressed by her efforts each and every year.”

Congratulations to Ms. Painter!

Watch for a presentation on the K-12 art program from Melanie Painter as part of the Nov. 1 Board of Education meeting. The meeting will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Elsmere Elementary School.