Outstanding Middle Level Art Educator

Leslie Ann Kunkel is a highly accomplished teacher, dedicated to her students and the promotion of art education statewide. Leslie regularly encourages her students to participate in Youth Art Month initiatives. Last year her students were involved in the PAEA/PDE Mural Project, creating a section of the mural that was installed outside the Pennsylvania Department of Education building in Harrisburg. Leslie also involved her students in the Capitol Coin Competition, producing a winning entry. Several of her students received awards in the Pennsylvania Middle School Association Art Contest.

Leslie has maintained a strong interest in art education beyond the classroom. She sat on the selection committee of the Teacher as Artist in Residency Program, participated in the Pennsylvania Governor’s Institute for Arts Educators, and was a member of the delegation to the United States-China Joint Education Conference in Beijing, China. Leslie was also active in Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit Art Education Programs and helped plan professional development workshops for Beaver County Arts Educators.

Leslie is PAEA Middle Level Director, and for the past five years, has been on the PAEA board, where her unselfish commitment, thoughtfulness, and enthusiasm in support of the mission of PAEA were well recognized. She was also a participant in the PAEA Leadership Retreat Program. Leslie Ann Kunkel sets a very high standard of participation for herself and her students. Her dedication to her students and her involvement with PAEA issues and the promotion of the arts throughout the state is extremely beneficial to her colleagues, to the community at large, and especially to her students.