OutStanding art educator of the year

Lauren Stichter 

Director of Art Education & 

Associate Professor

Moore College of Art & Design

Lauren Stichter’s professional journey has been profoundly shaped by several key experiences and influences. Early on, she struggled in school, not fitting into the one-size-fits-all model of teaching, but always found comfort in the art room. During her senior year, her art teacher introduced her to pottery, and immediately she fell in love with the medium. She also connected me with a colleague at the Community College of Philadelphia, where she enrolled the following year. On a whim, she took an American Sign Language (ASL) class with a friend, which led her to become certified in ASL. She then completed her BFA in Ceramics with a teaching license at Tyler School of Art. After graduation, she had the honor of teaching PreK-12 Art at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. This experience allowed her to develop a deep understanding of how students’ unique needs and the importance of creating an inclusive learning environment. During her 15 years there, she took a sabbatical to teach art in India at the Latika Roy Foundation, which serves the disabled community. Although she initially had no experience in professional development, she was asked to provide training for their three schools. She almost said no, but her husband Will encouraged her: “Just take what you know and offer what you can.” With that confidence boost, she embraced the challenge and dove into training folks in accessible arts education. Upon returning, she reunited with her dear mentor, Lynne Horoshack, who was launching a new graduate program at Moore College of Art & Design, the MA in Art Education with an Emphasis in Inclusive Practices. She invited Lauren to join the advisory board and teach the Art in Special Education course. In 2015, when Lynne retired, she applied for her position—and to her amazement, got the job. Lynne, along with many other mentors, colleagues, her family and most certainly her students have been instrumental in guiding her career, providing invaluable opportunities, and encouraging her to maintain her artistic practice. For that, she is truly grateful and honored to receive this year’s PAEA Outstanding Art Educator of the Year Award.

Outstanding Secondary art educator

Katherine Lee Psulkowski

Visual Arts Teacher

St. Joseph’s Preparatory School

Kat (she/they) is an installation artist, partner to a fellow art educator, and parent to their 1.5-year-old son, Woods. Kat holds degrees from Tyler School of Art and Moore College of Art and Design. They have been in art education for 10 years. During that time they have worked with neurodiverse and neurotypical students in three different independent school settings. 

 Now they are working at St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia where they practice teacher-learner collaboration through a choice-based approach. They have presented at PAEA’s, local universities and school districts on their thesis work and choice-based education and has shown at the Philadelphia International Airport. Their biggest accomplishment as an arts educator is showing their work alongside their students and having their graduates attend college for Art Education themselves.

Outstanding Supervision & administration art educator

Recognition of Outstanding Accomplishments

Dr. Carrie Rowe 

Deputy Secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE), Pennsylvania Department of Education. 

The OESE provides guidance, support, and oversight to partners in the K – 12 field, including public, approved private, career and technical centers, and charter schools across the Commonwealth. 

Prior to assuming her current position, Carrie served in the Department of Education in two capacities: most recently as the Advisor to the Deputy Secretary and previously as the Director for the Bureau of School Support. 

Dr. Rowe brings 25 years of public education experience to her role as Deputy Secretary, having served as Superintendent of Schools in the western region of the state prior to taking a position with the Department of Education . Dr. Rowe’s career in education has been focused on fairness and justice in the allocation of resources and the elimination of institutional barriers to access and opportunity.that truly benefit all students.

Outstanding higher education Art educator

Dr. Peg Speirs 

Chairperson & Professor of Art Education, Coordinator of Graduate Art Certification, Department of Art Education 

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Peg Speirs, Chairperson and Professor of Art Education at Kutztown University, coordinates Post Baccalaureate and Intern Art Certification. Before serving as department chair, Dr. Speirs served 5 ½ years as Interim Associate Dean in the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Her research interests include feminist art, theory and pedagogy; issues-based art education; art in health and digital storytelling. Dr. Speirs is currently editing a documentary on women and tattoo. Dr. Speirs’ first published article was on feminist art education. She went on to co-author articles and chapters on teaching art for social justice, art and ritual, and a national study investigating the curricular influences of new art teachers. Dr. Speirs co-edited the textbook, Contemporary Issues in Art Education, and co-authored The Dinner Party Curriculum Project, a free online resource for K-12 teachers. Dr. Speirs is an artist, curator and co-designer of Random Oaks Studio, a creative research community and residency program in Kensington, Ohio. Dr. Speirs earned a Ph.D. in Art Education and Women’s Studies at Pennsylvania State University, an M.A. in Art Education at Miami University, a B.A. in Studio Art at Hiram College, and PK-12 art certification at Westminster College. Prior to doctoral study, Dr. Speirs taught elementary, middle and high school art in Southern Local School District, Salineville, Ohio. 

Outstanding PAEA board service 

Outstanding emeritus art educator 

Kris Fontes

During her time on the PAEA board of directors, Kris Fontes was living in Union City, PA teaching middle school art, and high school graphic design and animation. During these years, her personal life was greatly influenced by the addiction of her daughter to heroin. Her life was consumed with helping her even when she did not want to be helped. Her participation and involvement in PAEA helped her to recognize that she was more than the mother of an addict.

 Having served as Region 2 rep for about 8 years, and having just been certified as a National Board Certified Teacher in Early Adolescent/Young Adult art, Kris was approached by James Ritchey, a past president of PAEA, 

to consider putting my name forward for president-elect. Although she didn’t think she was qualified or “smart” enough for the position, James insisted for her to think about it. After many conversations with Mary Elizabeth Meier, who gently “twisted my arm, and assured me she would be my president-elect, and support my tenure”, she agreed.

 Kris has been on the board, in many different positions for 24 years. During those years she has been a brunette, a blonde, and currently lavender ombré (her favorite) but the mission has never changed, to support and promote visual art education through professional development, leadership, and service.

Outstanding art in special education award 

Lauren Stichter

Director of Art Education & 

Associate Professor 

Moore College of Art & Design

What piece of advice would you like to impart? 

1. Prioritize Inclusivity: Make it a priority to adapt your teaching methods so that every child and young adult, regardless of their abilities, can engage in meaningful and accessible art-making experiences. Inclusivity isn’t just a goal; it’s a continuous practice that shapes our classrooms and the lives of our students. 

2. Be Curious and Creative: As art teachers, we may not always have access to every students Individualized Education Program (IEP), and even when we do, time constraints can make it difficult to review them in detail. Instead, start by being curious about each student. Notice what they can do, and let that be your starting point. From there, find creative solutions tailored to their strengths. Creativity in problem-solving is just as crucial as creativity in art itself—let it guide you in crafting experiences that work for each individual. 

3. Collaborate and Advocate: Often, art teachers must build their own support networks to meet the diverse needs of their students. Start by partnering with a colleague who shares your passion for accessibility and inclusion. The Special Education department is a great place to begin, as is our very own PAEA’s Art in Special Ed Interest group and NAEA ASE Group. Together, you can create more inclusive, supportive, and effective programs that truly benefit all students.

Outstanding Friend to art education