Farmington Municipal Schools is pleased to announce that Mr. Travis Jensen, Piedra Vista’s talented Ceramics Teacher, will be honored with the prestigious President’s Award of Distinction from the New Mexico Art Education Association (NMAEA). This special award is given to NMAEA members who have shown outstanding service and made significant contributions to advancing art education. Congratulations, Mr. Jensen, on this well-deserved recognition!
In addition to Mr. Jensen, ten other dedicated educators will also receive the 2025 NMAEA Professional Awards for their commitment to art education in New Mexico. The awards will be presented at the NMAEA conference on November 9, 2024, at Santa Fe Community College.
These awards celebrate educators who go above and beyond in the classroom and in their communities to inspire creativity through Visual and Media Arts. We’re incredibly proud of Mr. Jensen, who has been part of our district since 2014, bringing with him 9 years of teaching experience.
Please join us in congratulating Mr. Jensen and all the award recipients for their passion and dedication to arts education!
2025 NMAEA Award Recipients:
President’s Award of Distinction: Travis Jensen, Farmington Public Schools
Elementary Art Educator of the Year: Andrea Lynch, Los Alamos Public Schools
Middle School Art Educator of the Year: Hiba Mohammed, Las Cruces Public Schools
High School Art Educator of the Year: David Leigh, Albuquerque Public Schools
Higher Education Art Educator of the Year: Dr. Richard Schwartz, Professor ENMU
Museum Education Art Educator of the Year: Sarah Zurich, NM Museum of Art
New Mexico Art Educator of the Year: Lisa Gillet, Albuquerque Public Schools
Supervision/Administration Art Educator of the Year: Dr. Kurt Schmidt, Rio Rancho Public Schools
Art Educator Advocacy Award: Dr. Nancy Pauly, Emerita Professor, UNM
Phyllis Kennedy Community Advocacy Award: Little Studio on The Mesa, Los Alamos, NM
Max Coll and Catherine Joyce Coll Award for Distinction in Art Education: Irene Oliver-Lewis, Las Cruces