AEI Elementary Art Educators Award

Stacey Houk has been awarded the Elementary Art Educator of Iowa by the Art Educators of Iowa.  Stacey is currently a teacher at Eisenhower school in Davenport.  She has made integrating art across the curriculum her professional goal and here is how she has done it. 

Stacey has written grants that have allowed her students to take field trips and experience the work of artist in residence; she has worked as an artist in residence, held after school programs, worked with students for 8 months on a mural.  She has received a teaching award through the Davenport Schools Foundation and was nominated for Disney Teacher of the Year.  She also volunteers her time at the Figge art museum, is a committee member of the Living Lands & Waters education program. 

Staff members in her district consider her to be a leader with creativity that is boundless and she encourages others to explore and understand the connections between all subject areas and the arts. 

Part of Stacey’s philosophy of art education, “It is my goal as an art teacher of elementary students to encourage every student to express their ideas through the making of art and to come away with an appreciation of visual arts. I tell my students that some may not continue to make art after elementary school but if they value art, can talk about art and find creative expression in many forms, they have gained much. 

With an emphasis on test scores and budget cuts, I am thankful to teach in a district that supports the arts and believes in the importance of educating the whole child as stated by district leaders and board members. It is my mission to advocate for every child as I know from my own life story, the arts kept me in school and lead to my career path; a career that I love and am passionate about.”

Awards