Adams State Art Professor awarded opportunities and recognition (12-18-08)
Adams State College Dr. Joyce Centofanti, associate professor of art, spent five days in Oxford, England at the invitational Oxford Roundtable, Achieving Education Quality, an interdisciplinary perspective. "People from all over the world discussed the state of education within their areas," she said.
Countries included Poland, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, and the United States. Representing the countries were superintendents, principals, college professors, professional musicians, and consultants from the US Department of Education.
According to the Oxford Roundtable website Oxford Roundtables the invitees to Round Tables are determined based on several criteria, among which are nominations by earlier attendees, courses that invitees teach, their presentations and writings, and their professional involvement in a relevant area of interest. An attempt is also made to diversify as to the type of institution, public or private, and to involve institutions representing different levels of education, i.e., schools, community colleges, four-year colleges, graduate and research universities.
The chair of the "Achieving Education Quality," roundtable invited Centofanti to attend. Centofanti has written and presented many papers on special needs and art. Her trip was funded, in part, from a personal friend and Adams State Provost Michael Mumper. "It is nice to be supported by the school," Centofanti said.
The aforementioned website also state the purpose of the Oxford Round Table, a not-for-profit educational organization, is to provide an interdisciplinary forum for the discussion of contemporary issues that affect the public good in all its various forms and ramifications. The public good is expansively interpreted by the Round Table to include all matters that enrich the human experience and enhance the human condition.
According to Centofanti the main subject for the roundtable she attended was how better to prepare students for higher education. "It was a diverse group. Nearly all countries struggle with education programs, except Canada." She said she came away with additional skills in educating her college-aged student. "I am now even more aware of the diversity of students in a classroom and the variety of ways they learn and process information. It is our job as educators to learn how to reach all our students."
Centofanti's dedication to her students was recognized by the Colorado Art Educators Association (CAEA). She received the Higher Education Art Educator of the Year Award for 2008. She was presented with the award in Breckenridge, Colo., in October. The Colorado Art Education Association is an organization whose prime directive is advancing and improving the quality of art education throughout the state of Colorado. The CAEA awards honor CAEA member whose service and contributions in art education merit state, regional, and national recognition.
"I just received notice from the National Art Education Association that I received the Higher Education Art Educator of Year for the Pacific region." She will receive the award in April in Minneapolis, Minn.
Centofanti is an active member of CAEA and NAEA. She serves as the higher education representative for CAEA and holds numerous memberships and offices in NAEA affiliate groups including Social Theory Caucus, Woman's Caucus Group, Special Education Caucus Group, and the GLBT Caucus. She is also a member of the Society for Cross Cultural Research, council for Exceptional Children, and the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts.
Chair of the Adams State Art Department Margaret Doell said: "Joyce's students have been successful in finding teaching jobs in art upon graduation and most continue to seek Joyce's advice and input as they embark on their first year of teaching. Joyce has been happy to continue mentoring her students in this manner after they have graduated."
Benjamin Quinn, Adams State 2004 and 2007 graduate, and K-12 Department Head for the Norwood School District, said: "Dr. Joyce empowers her students to go beyond their comfort zone, which allows them to exceed her expectations."
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By Linda Relyea
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