Celebrate Excellence for Arts in Education Week 2024

Arts North Carolina is a proud member of the NC Arts Education Leadership Coalition (AELC), consisting of organizations who collaborate with and represent arts educators and advance comprehensive arts education in our state. Each year we honor those individuals and institutions who excel in their work and deserve recognition as part of our NC Arts in Education Week celebration. We would like to help recognize and thank these organizations, individuals, and all those who instruct, engage, and inspire our students through the arts.

Johnathan Hamiel
NCMEA 2024 Pat Hall Music Educator Advocate Award
K-12 Arts Education Coordinator
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools

Russell Knight
NCMEA 2024 Honor Administrator Award
Coordinator of Arts Education
Pitt County Schools

Ron Higdon
NCTC 2023 K-12 Theatre Arts Educator Award
Mooresville High School

Blake Wilson
NCTC 2023 Excellence in Directing Award
Orange High School

Jenny Goodfellow
NCTC 2023 Excellence in Directing Award
Charlotte Country Day School

Lilly Allemond
NCTC 2023 Excellence in Directing Award
Hopewell High School

Cassy Whitley
2024 NCEdTA Hall of Fame Inductee
NCEdTA Junior Thespian Director
Guilford County Schools

Gregory Franklin
2024 NCEdTA Hall of Fame Inductee
NCEdTA Charlotte Regional Representative

Olivia Bellido
2024 NCEdTA Stephen Schwartz Musical Theatre Teacher of the Year
Charles E. Jordan High School

Iredell Charter Academy of the Arts and Science
New A+ School
Iredell County
Principal: Andrea Lopresti

Odyssey School
New A+ School
Buncombe County
Principal: Eric Howard