The National Art Education Association has named Dr. Ahran Koo, associate professor of Art Education, as the recipient of the 2024 Pacific Region Higher Education Art Educator. The award, determined through a peer review of nominations, recognizes the exemplary contributions, service and achievements of an outstanding NAEA member annually at the Regional level within their division. The award was presented during the NAEA 2024 National Convention in Minneapolis.
“This award is being given to recognize excellence in professional accomplishment and service by a dedicated art educator. Ahran Koo exemplifies the highly qualified art educators active in education today: leaders, teachers, students, scholars and advocates who give their best to their students and the profession,” Wanda B. Knight, NAEA president, said in a statement.
Koo recently published “Belonging Pedagogy: Revisiting Identity, Culture, and Difference” in the Studies in Art Education Journal. The study examines belonging pedagogy as an effective, culturally respectful intervention in art education.
The mission of the NAEA champions creative growth and innovation by equitably advancing the tools and resources for high-quality visual arts, design and media arts education throughout diverse populations and communities of practice. The NAEA is the leading national and global professional membership organization exclusively for visual arts educators. Members include elementary, middle, and high school visual arts educators; college and university professors; university students preparing to become art educators; researchers and scholars; teaching artists; administrators and supervisors; and art museum educators—as well as more than 54,000 students who are members of the National Art Honor Society.
The College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State 