AUGUSTA, Ga. — Stan Dodson, an adjunct instructor at Augusta University and fine arts leader at Burke County High School, has been named the 2027 Georgia Art Educator of the Year, one of the highest honors presented by the Georgia Art Education Association.
Dodson teaches in Augusta University College of Education and Human Development and the Katherine Reese Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. He also serves as Fine Arts Department chair and visual art instructor at Burke County High School and as lead visual art coach for Burke County Public Schools.
He has been involved with the Georgia Art Education Association for nearly two decades and served as the organization president from 2022 to 2023 after being elected in 2019. During his leadership stretch, which included guiding the group through the COVID-19 pandemic, GAEA held its first fully virtual conference in 2021 and grew membership, earning regional recognition for participation growth.
Dodson career path 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 in the newspaper industry creating page designs, illustrations and infographics before moving into teaching. He earned a Master of Arts in Art Education from the University of Florida and later completed a Doctor of Education in Educational Innovation at Augusta University as part of the 2023 doctoral cohort.
His classroom and leadership work has previously drawn local and state honors, including a 2017 Golden Apple Award, Georgia Art Education Association Secondary Art Educator of the Year, Burke County Teacher of the Year and STAR Teacher recognition. He has also served on Georgia Department of Education visual arts standards and fine arts advisory work.
Dodson and other 2027 award recipients are to be recognized during the association Fall Conference awards ceremony in October. He said the association has meant a lot to him as an art educator and professional, providing opportunities for growth, collaboration and leadership throughout his career.