2020 Art Teacher of the Year
Alice Bordenkircher Tavani, West Region
“Her classroom instruction is exemplary, engaging students by immersing them in culture and craft. She stays current with techniques, trends, and social awareness which she includes in her plans and instruction. Bringing the outside world into her classroom ensures her instruction is relevant to students. She is able to modify and adjust her instruction to meet and challenge the varying levels of students’ interest and skill. Her contributions outside the classroom have a great impact on the school community. She was a standing member of our Building Leadership Team, always questioning and offering suggestions to support academic improvement. Her support of the arts resulted in an annual event, Celebrating Creativity, combining music, literacy, art, and fellowship. She supported student learning with numerous grants and projects.”
​–Rebecca O’Neal
Alice Bordenkircher Tavani's Accomplishments
  • Hadley Watts Middle School, Centerville, OH
  • Has written and received 18 grants with the most recent being from the Centerville Education Foundation for a “Glow Family Art Night”, 2020
  • OAEA Dayton Local Conference Planning Committee Coordinator, 2020
  • OAEA President Elect, President, and Past President, 2015 – 2020
  • OAEA conference Presenter, 2005 – present
  • Riffe Gallery Workshop Presenter, Columbus, OH, 2020
  • Kidsview District Art Show, Centerville, OH, 1999 - 2020
  • Normandy Elementary Art Club and Art in Focus, 1999 - 2019
  • NAEA Delegates Assembly, 2016 - 2019
  • NAEA Leadership Summit, 2016, 2018
  • NAEA Western Region Leadership Summit, 2015, 2017
  • Hot Glass Experience, Dayton, OH 2005 - 2015
  • OAEA State Awards Chair, 2009 - 2014
  • OAEA Distinguished Fellows, 2014
  • OAEA West Local Conference Planning Committee, 2002, 2007, 2011
  • OAEA Elementary Division Award, 2009
  • OAEA First Vice President, 2008 - 2009
  • OAEA West Region YAM/YPAE Coordinator, 2007 – 2008
  • OAEA West Regional Director, 2006 – 2007
  • National Board Certification, 2006
  • OAEA West Regional Director Elect, 2004 - 2005
  • OAEA West Region Outstanding Art Teacher, 2004
  • OAEA West Region Public Relations/Advocacy, 2002 – 2003
  • OAEA West Region Workshop Committee, 2001
  • Artist in Residence, painted traveling mural, “Women for Guatemala,” Chicago, IL, 1994 – 1995
  • Artist in Residence, painted 180’ long mural, “Miseracordia,” Chicago, IL, 1991 - 1992
  • Has taught all levels PK-12 over her 31 year career
  • ​Extensive exhibition record of personal artwork in over 20 shows
“On top of Alice’s work with OAEA she continues to grow as an artist and educator. She has become an accomplished bronze casting artist through her work at Miami University CraftSummer and makes dynamic jewelry with her lampwork glass beads. She also creates prints and drawings exhibiting in a number of regional galleries.”
​–Suzanne Mitolo
Award Criteria
The OAEA Art Educator of the Year award is a lifetime achievement award  presented to art educators who have often already received previous OAEA awards within their region and/or division.  These individuals have exhibited dedication and commitment to OAEA and art education over an extended period of years. It is the highest award the Ohio Art Education Association has to offer. 
  • Nominee for the OAEA Art Educator of the Year Award must:
  • Have served at least 10 years within the field of art education.
  • Be a member in good standing of OAEA for a minimum of seven (7) years as of Dec.1st.
  • Have developed a philosophy and theory of art teaching that is consistently reflected both in and outside the classroom.
  • Be actively engaged in the field of art education through research, development of literature in the field, and exploration of current issues. 
  • Be a leader in developing innovative curricula and methodology.
  • Show leadership at the state or national level. Nominee shall be active in state and/or national activities. State does not relate to local/regional affiliations. National activities shall include, but not be limited to state and national affiliation and beyond.
  • Show commitment and dedication to the field through understanding, compassion, and helpfulness to students and colleagues.
  • Be professionally active by publishing articles concerning art education, giving speeches in support of art education and/or the  arts, and/or continue to create art and exhibit their own artwork.  
  • Be willing to become a member of NAEA upon receiving OAEA Art Educator of the Year Award.
  • Agree to be present at the annual conference to receive the award.
 Selection Procedure
  • Nominations for Ohio Art Educator of the Year may begin in the ARTline editions for summer and fall. All nomination forms must be submitted online by the close of the annual OAEA Conference.
  • All nomination forms must include nominee’s full address and telephone number. The Awards Chairperson will issue the Standardized Vita Form and Nomination Materials Request Form to the nominee by December 1st.
  • All information must be submitted, via online form, to the Regional Director by February 14.  
  • A committee appointed by the Awards Chairperson will review the nominations and the criteria to determine the finalists.
  • Finalists will appear in the OAEA Eblast for digital membership vote in April/May.
  • Recipient of the Award will be announced on the OAEA website and at the Fall Conference.
Required Forms (these are writable pdf's)
1. Nomination Form
2. Materials Request Form
3. Art Educator of the Year Award Checklist
4. Standardized Vita