One of Delta State\u2019s own shined brightly at the recent Mississippi Art Education Association conference held in Jackson last month.<\/p>\n
Mollie Rushing, longtime instructor of art education, was awarded the 2014 MAEA Outstanding Art Educator of the Year. MAEA is an organization of art educators who are passionate in their commitment to art and developing creative processes to benefit students across Mississippi.<\/p>\n
The organization is affiliated with the National Art Educators Association, a major resource for art educators nationwide.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very honored to receive this award,\u201d said Rushing. \u201cI\u2019m so thankful to be voted in by art educators across the state. I love what I do, and it\u2019s hard for me to accept the award when it\u2019s really the teachers in K-12 who deserve all the credit. They are the ones doing the lion\u2019s share of work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rushing, who has been a member of the NAEA since 1979, said it was incredibly gratifying attending the MAEA conference and interacting with a number of her former students \u2014 many of whom are now members or on the board of directors.<\/p>\n
After completing her master\u2019s in art education at East Tennessee State University in 1986, Rushing and her husband Kim, a photography instructor at Delta State, moved to Texas and North Carolina to teach.<\/p>\n
Kim started teaching photography at Delta State in 1992, and Mollie began teaching Art 101 in 1994. For the past 12 years, Rushing has been leading the art education program\u00a0at the university.<\/p>\n
While she has personally dabbled in a number of artistic genres, Rushing\u2019s true passion is quilting \u2014 an art form she says combines her love for watercolors, architectural ceramics and weaving.<\/p>\n
Ron Koehler, chair of the Department of Art, was thrilled to see Rushing recognized for her educational commitment.<\/p>\n
\u201cMollie has done an outstanding job preparing students for teaching positions throughout Mississippi and other parts of the country,\u201d said Koehler. \u201cThis award is going to a highly deserving faculty member in our department who has been an impactful teacher for many years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Students also share high praise for Rushing\u2019s leadership.<\/p>\n
\u201cMollie really focuses on teaching us how to teach our students the importance of connecting art to everyday life,\u201d said student Faith Barnett. \u201cShe not only stresses the importance of education, but she treats all of her students as if they\u2019re her own family. It\u2019s helpful to have someone so eager.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rushing remains humble and looks forward to guiding present and future art teachers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe most important thing is seeing teachers out there working and making a difference,\u201d she said. \u201cMy job is fun \u2014 they\u2019re the ones really working hard.\u201d<\/p>\n