Maine Elementary Art Educator of the Year
At a ceremony held recently at the University of Maine Museum of Art Cathy Grisby was honored for her years of dedication and received the Elementary Art Educator of the Year award presented by the Maine Art Education Association. Cathy was nominated by colleague Ann Diskin and included the following in Cathy’s nomination:
Cathy being introduced by her colleague Ann Diskin
“…Cathy has been teaching elementary art for 28 years in SAD #61 in the towns of Bridgton and Sebago. She believes that every child is creative and every student can be successful in art. Parent volunteer, Jenni Silverblade says this of Cathy, “She knows how to teach so that each student’s unique ability comes out to the fullest. She has a discerning eye as to what a child can do to turn a piece of art around if it starts falling apart or if the student becomes discouraged.”
Mrs. Grigsby always puts in the extra effort whether it is helping to develop district-wide arts assessments, teaching gifted classes after school, making sets for the plays, exhibiting student work in the community, creating permanent art installations of student work, and just being a positive presence in the school. She has also been a tireless advocate for the arts in her community in her work with helping to found the Bridgton Arts Guild and Gallery 302. In addition, Cathy’s influence reaches other art teachers on a national level through the more than 10 published articles she has written for “Arts and Activities” and “School Arts” magazine over the years.”
Perhaps the most important measure of Cathy’s success is her student’s declarations of art being their favorite subject and their pride at seeing their work on display.“
When Cathy’s school learned that she was being recognized for the award she showed up one morning to a room full of balloons and congratulatory cards from her students. Not to many days later the staff celebrated her recognition at a staff meeting! Yay for Cathy!
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