The National Art Education Association (NAEM) has named Gorham Middle School’s (GMS) Amy Cousins as the recipient of the 2020 Maine Art Educator Award.

This prestigious award, determined through a peer review of nominations, honors an outstanding member from each state or province association whose service and contribution to art education merits recognition and acclaim.

Cousins, who has been teaching art at GMS since 1997, said she was extremely overwhelmed to learn she had been chosen. “I had no idea that I was nominated, it came as a very nice surprise.”

She added, “It is wonderful to know that your peers recognize and value what you do. So often as teachers we ask ourselves, is this the right teaching approach, am I reaching all students in some way, am I contributing to my community and helping my students find their place as a contributing member?”

Cousins was supposed to receive the award at the NAEA National Convention in Minneapolis, MN, in March but due to the National COVID-19 pandemic, the convention was cancelled.

“This award is being given to recognize excellence in professional accomplishment and service by a dedicated art educator,” said NAEA President Thom Knab. “Amy exemplifies the highly qualified art educators active in education today: leaders, teachers, students, scholars, and advocates who give their best to their students and the profession.”

“Ms. Cousins is a masterful art educator. She engages her students with unique lessons that push their creative boundaries,” said Quinton Donahue, GMS principal. “Her students know that she believes in them and they work hard to accomplish great things in her class. Despite her skill as an educator, she is always learning and honing her approach. She is a wonderful example of what it means to be a lifelong learner. Ms. Cousins is incredibly deserving of this award.”

“I am not sure what path this journey will take me on yet. Opportunities have a way of dropping into my life when I least expect it,” said Cousins. “With that said, I was asked to join a group of six Maine Visual and Performing Artists to travel to Malawi Africa to work with Malawian teachers to develop integrated, hands-on, student-centered projects. I am very excited about this opportunity and to share my experience with my colleagues and students upon my return.”

Cousins has two supportive, loving, thought-provoking kids, Emma and Sam. She learns every day from them both. Emma works as a Farmyard Educator at Pineland Farm and Sam is finishing his senior year.

She has a passion for anything outdoors, is an avid backcountry skier, and also works at Shawnee Peak as a ski patroller. Along with teaching Visual Arts at the middle school, she is a part of the Alternative Education Team. Cousins teaches integrated arts projects and exposes GMS students to outdoor educational experiences, where they learn to work together through challenges and outdoor exploration.

The advice Cousins would like to give her art students is that “life is about problem-solving, whether it be in the workplace or at home. Our ability to take a problem or an abstract thought, to break it down, to come up with several creative options is an essential part of learning and development. Art is the perfect avenue for understanding this process of thinking ‘out of the box.’ It is embedded in all academic subjects.”

“Each and every one of you has embarked on an incredible voyage. This is only the beginning of your creative adventure,” said Cousins. “You have your own story to tell, one that changes with you throughout your life. Please, continue to share your creativity with the world. Remember, failure is learning. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, make mistakes, and pursue challenges.”

Founded in 1947, NAEM is the leading professional membership organization exclusively for visual arts educators whose mission is to advance visual arts education to fulfill human potential and promote global understanding. For more information about the program, visit www.arteducators.org.