COEHD faculty member named Georgia Art Educator of the Year

Stan Dodson, EdD, an adjunct instructor in Augusta University’s College of Education and Human Development and Katherine Reese Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, has been named the 2027 Georgia Art Educator of the Year, one of the highest honors presented by the Georgia Art Education Association (GAEA).

Dodson, who has been involved with GAEA for nearly two decades and served as the organization’s president from 2022 to 2023 after being elected in 2019 and completing a term as president-elect beginning in December 2021, said receiving the recognition was both unexpected and deeply meaningful.

“I was really surprised and humbled by the award,” Dodson said. “The association has meant a lot to me as an art educator and professional. It provided opportunities for growth, collaboration and leadership throughout my career.”

The award recognizes Dodson’s longstanding contributions to art education in Georgia, including his leadership during one of the most challenging periods in the profession. After being elected GAEA president in 2019, he helped guide the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing the transition of conferences, workshops and professional learning opportunities to virtual formats.

Working alongside a team of fellow educators, Dodson helped organize GAEA’s first fully virtual conference in 2021, complete with keynote speakers, live workshops and interactive learning experiences. Under his leadership, the association not only maintained membership during a difficult period for educators but also experienced membership growth and earned regional recognition for increasing participation.

“Our organization learned how to embrace challenges and grow through them,” Dodson said. “We discovered new ways to connect with educators, share resources and support learning that continue to influence what we do today.”

A longtime advocate for innovative teaching practices, Dodson credits the pandemic-era shift to digital learning with helping educators rethink how information is delivered. Through his work with the Georgia Department of Education and other partners, he has helped develop accessible, multimedia-based instructional resources that support diverse learning styles.

“Learning isn’t just linear,” he said. “Students learn through videos, podcasts, images, music and other experiences. As educators, we need to create opportunities that reflect those different pathways.”

Dodson’s commitment to education spans a career that began outside the classroom. After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration from Ringling College of Art and Design, he spent nearly a decade working in the newspaper industry at The Augusta Chronicle, creating page designs, illustrations and infographics. He later transitioned into education, earning his Master of Arts in Art Education from the University of Florida in May 2014 and receiving his teaching certification through the Georgia Teachers Alternative Preparation Program (GaTAPP) in May 2010.

Today, in addition to teaching art at Burke County High School, Dodson teaches humanities and graduate-level courses for education specialists at AU.

His connection to AU extends beyond the classroom. A member of the university’s 2023 doctoral cohort, Dodson said earning his Doctor of Education in Educational Innovation (EdD) was a transformative experience that helped shape his growth as an educator and leader.

“Augusta University had a profound impact on my professional journey,” he said. “The faculty challenged us to think collaboratively, approach research in new ways and become leaders who can make a difference in our communities.”

Dodson also played a role in helping develop pathways for aspiring art educators, including efforts to support students seeking teaching certification through AU’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program.

Dodson’s impact in the classroom has also been recognized locally. In 2017, he received the WJBF Golden Apple Award, an honor presented to exceptional educators across the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) who go above and beyond to create engaging, supportive and inspiring learning environments for their students. 

Throughout his career, a focus on service has remained at the center of his work. Whether teaching K-12 students, mentoring future educators or leading professional organizations, Dodson encourages students to use creativity to positively impact others.

“Art is a form of giving back. I want students to understand that their work can serve their communities and make a meaningful difference,” Dodson said.

As Georgia’s Art Educator of the Year, Dodson plans to continue advancing service-oriented learning, supporting fellow educators and inspiring the next generation of artists and teachers.

“Education is a journey,” he said. “If we embrace the process, learn from challenges and keep growing, the results will follow.”