Remarks by Award Recipient Thomas A. Kelchner

I would like to share with you a story. The story about my missing the surprise notification is a good one , however I have another. On the second Tuesday in November I made a presentation to the art education student teachers at my alma mater Kutztown University. They invite me back every year and it is a great way for me to give back to the University. We have dubbed this the “Tom Kelchner dose of Reality Tour.” On my way home I was driving Rt. 61 through the coal country. Some of you may be familiar with this route. In Frackville, Rt 61 turns left at a traffic light. I am here to teach you today that it is a moving traffic violation in the Commonwealth to turn on a yellow light. I discovered this when the officer pulled me over. He said that I looked familiar. He asked if I was a local? No. did I have relatives in town? No. Did I conduct business in town? No. Puzzled he went back to his car. Upon his return he said Mr. Kelchner you do look familiar, have you ever been on TV. I said yes as a matter of fact two weeks ago I was. It was two weeks since the surprise notification. Well, he said, I am just going to let you go with a warning this time.

The Milken award has far reaching influence beyond what the foundation intended. It has changed my life.

A few weeks ago during the art department in service several of us were discussing the passion for teaching over lunch. I am fortunate to be working with a staff that has passion about their teaching. We were sharing when we decided we wanted to become teachers. I wanted to be an animator, go into commercial design. Then in high school an English teacher had us teach a lesson on poetry. I wanted to teach. This experience changed my life.

Art education has allowed me to change the life of students. Through our art program I have been able to go beyond art studio and teach art history, aesthetics and art philosophy. I have had the thrill of witnessing the learning of techniques and developing skills. I have been able to teach critical thinking and creative problem solving. I have assisted in students development of a work ethic. I have had the privilege of teaching film making through Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece Psycho while infusing history and tolerance through Schindler’s List...an area few of the students have explored. Using popular culture I have been able to teach students about it’s effect and influence on our society and culture. And so much more. These experiences have changed lives.

This recognition has made me recognizable and approachable in the community. A day does not go by where somewhere in the community someone acknowledges this recognition. Many of my past students have taken the opportunity to contact me to offer their congratulations. It is still a thrill to hear “Mr. K. I still use what you taught me!” For a teacher, it does not get better than that. We are able to change lives.

We have talked much about mentors over the past few days. I want to thank and dedicate this honor to the art educators who molded me and mentored me. From my first art teacher at Lose Elementary School (I came home to teach): Joan, Eve, Bob, Bob, Mary, Tony, Tom, Mary, Susan, Eldon, Margaret, John, June, Jackie, Alice and Barbara. They changed my life.

I stand before you proudly as an art educator, more importantly an art educator from Pennsylvania. In this Commonwealth we value not only education- we value art education. Art education effects the lives of our children, it changes the lives of our students, and in some cases it saves the lives of students. Art education changes the lives of students making them better workers, better parents, and better citizens.

I am proud and humbled to receive this recognition.

Thank You.