In March, Central DeWitt High School Art Teacher Cassie Garrity earned national recognition for her work in arts education at the NAEA National Convention 2026 in Chicago—a reflection of her dedication, expertise, and leadership in the field.
Ms. Garrity received both a Western Region Award and a National Leadership Award through the National Art Education Association (NAEA), one of the highest honors for art educators. These recognitions highlight her impact on teaching practices and her contributions to advancing arts education.
Ms. Garrity, who serves as a Visual Arts Teacher Leader for the NAEA’s Connected Arts Networks (CAN), also presented four sessions at the convention, sharing innovative strategies and classroom practices with educators from across the country.
Her presentation, “Think Like an Artist: Rethinking Assessment Practices in the Arts” was recently published as an article in Arts Education Policy Review, expanding its impact beyond the conference. The article explores how shifting assessment practices from grading to learning transformed her classroom—all sparked by an unexpected source of inspiration.
In her classroom, Ms. Garrity uses assessment to guide growth rather than simply measure outcomes, encouraging students to engage in creative risk-taking, thoughtful critique, and deeper artistic thinking as they develop and refine their work.
Garrity’s achievements and well-deserved recognition, which also include being a National Board Certified Teacher and the 2025 Iowa Art Educator of the Year, speak to her influence as an educator and leader in the field of arts education.
Central DeWitt is incredibly fortunate to have educators like Ms. Garrity who not only inspire students daily, but also elevate the teaching profession. Her work is a point of pride for our district, and we are grateful for her continued commitment, leadership, and passion she brings to Central DeWitt each day.
You can purchase a copy of Garrity’s article here: https://bit.ly/3QE5m7f