The Art Education Association of Indiana will be holding it’s annual convention November 4th through 6th in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Chesterton resident Paula Wiese has been selected to receive the Secondary Art Educator of the Year award. Award recipients are nominated by their peers and are teachers who show outstanding artistic achievement and service in education. 
Mrs. Wiese presently teaches art at Portage High School. Paula is the department chairperson, has received many grants, including the A+ for Energy Grant, which provided her students the opportunity to create Solar Powered Ceramic Fountains. Paula coordinated the “Empty Bowl Project”, which involves students making and selling ceramic bowls. Through this endeavor, Portage students have raised $3200 for the local food pantry over the last 3 years. She has taught many workshops locally and at AEAI conventions. In her spare time, Paula has been an IHSAA Volleyball official since 1974.
Paula’s nominator, also an art teacher at Portage High School, Cynthia Stojic, says “the one thing that makes Paula stand out is her willingness to help other students get on track their junior and senior year. The question our of her mouth at the beginning of the year is “What are you doing when you are finished with high school?” She helps students with college applications, scholarships and financial aid, meets with parents, and gets the job done.
Mrs. Wiese’s principal, Caren Swickard, commended Paula on showcasing student artwork in the community and participating in many exhibits. She also has served in many leadership roles in the school. She states that “Mrs. Wiese is a master teacher, a school leader, and a great individual”.
The Art Education Association of Indiana (AEAI) is the professional education organization dedicated to promotion, advancement, and improvement of art education at all levels in the state of Indiana. The goals of AEAI are to increase public awareness, develop strategies for art education advocacy, inform membership about current issues and political action, recognize outstanding teacher performance and programs statewide, and assist the Indiana State Department of Education in development and implementation of art education curriculum materials and resources.