Campbell named Elementary Art Educator of the Year

Beth Campbell, art teacher at Back Creek and Bonsack Elementary schools has been selected as the Elementary Art Educator of the Year for Virginia by the Virginia Art Education Association and the National Art Education Association. Campbell recently returned from the National Art Education Association Conference in Seattle, Washington, where she was honored for her award along with the winners from other states.

“I’m proud of Beth and her commitment to art instruction in Roanoke County,” said Dr. Lorraine Lange, superintendent of Roanoke County Public Schools. Beth was a fantastic classroom teacher and I’m happy she’s now being recognized as a fantastic art instructor,” Dr. Lange added.

Campbell began her teaching career with Roanoke County Schools as an elementary classroom teacher. In 2004, she was recognized for her outstanding work in the classroom with a McGlothlin award.

Campbell made the switch to teaching art in 2005, using her McGlothlin award funded travels to Greece, Egypt, London and France to help her implement a strong art history component in her high school art curriculum.

Campbell was also instrumental in starting and building the Specialty Center for Visual Arts at Roanoke County’s Burton Center for Arts & Technology, teaching the first year of the program from 2006 until the present. In 2009, one of her art students won a Scholastic Art Award at the national level, and Ms. Campbell traveled to New York City to see her student receive the award on the stage at Carnegie Hall.

(Last updated 3/24/11)