Avon Lake Art Teacher Wins Award For Best Teacher Of 2018

AVON LAKE, OH — Avon Lake Schools art teacher Teela Kovacs won the Outstanding Art Teacher of the Year award from the northeast region of the Ohio Art Education Association (OAEA). Kovacs is the art teacher at Erieview and Westview elementary schools.

"I am honored to receive this award," said Kovacs. "I love working with the students in elementary school. They have such a love for learning and are open to anything. I tell them, 'You have an idea in your head, and now all you need to do is get it down to your hands to draw and create.' The kids really look forward to coming to art class. It is a joy to watch them create art gifts for their families."

Kovacs began teaching in Avon Lake in 2013. She previously worked in the Cleveland Metropolitan Schools and for a local Montessori school. She was nominated for the award by fellow art teacher Leslie Koelsch-Carson.

She will be honored next fall in Columbus at the OAEA's annual conference.

"She (Kovacs) also does a wonderful job integrating art with the core curriculum," said David Schindler, Erieview Elementary School principal. "She often has the students author their illustrations. Specials (music, art, library, etc.) in general are often overlooked, but they are a valuable component of a student's overall education just like the core subjects. Avon Lake is a huge supporter of the 'whole student' and the arts in our district are a perfect example of the wonderful opportunities are students are afforded in the district."

Westview Principal Nick Moore also sang Kovacs praises.

"She is wonderful with the students and also assists with our Reflections Art Club after school hours," said Moore. "She is very creative and that just flows out of her with ease. When you ask for an idea, it is very natural for her to come up with something."

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Kovacs enjoys art in all mediums, especially charcoal and pencil drawings. She has a bachelor's degree from Cleveland State University and is working towards her master's degree.

She lives in Lakewood with her husband Nicholas and their daughter.

Photos from Avon Lake Schools