KENT, OH– The School of Art is proud to announce the Ohio Art Education Association (OAEA) honored Caleb Hughes and Stephen Tornero with awards at their recent November conference.
Caleb Hughes, an art education graduate student at Kent State, received the Ohio Art Education Association Pre-Service Division Award: a state-level recognition that awards excellence in art education students. Hughes currently serves as the Pre-Service Division Chair at OAEA, cultivating community for aspiring art educators in the region. Hughes is also a graduate assistant and alumnus of the art education B.A. program at Kent State.
“His willingness to support his peers’ learning transfers to his willingness to take the lead when needed…Caleb Hughes is more than qualified for this prestigious award,” said Juliann Dorff, former art education senior lecturer.
Stephen Tornero received the Outstanding Teaching Award for East Region, an award nominated by fellow professional educators. Tornero has been teaching in the public sector for 15 years and at Kent State since 2019. He currently teaches 7th and 8th grade art at Oakwood middle school, as well as the Major Review course for art education seniors at Kent State.
In his pedagogy, Tornero tries to instill the philosophy that there is not one “right way” to be an educator.
“My favorite part is when my art education students find their voice in their teaching philosophy. It is truly inspiring when they are able to put into words what their future classroom will look like,” said Tornero.
In addition to his work as a faculty member, Tornero is a returning KSU alumnus: receiving his bachelor’s in art education from KSU in 2008, and his master’s degree in 2015.
Art Education at Kent State
At Kent State University, we believe in the power of teachers to be agents of structural and social change, transforming and improving lives. America’s schools need teachers who help develop socially responsible citizens and an educated workforce equipped with life skills. We believe the visual arts do this most effectively because they are a study of life through visual objects, as well as a natural integrator of ideas. KSU art education graduates incorporate 21st century life skills and research-backed methodologies into their teaching practice as well as being reflective educators who adjust their teaching to reach students of all abilities.