KEARNEY, Neb. -- The Nebraska Art Teachers Association (NATA) announced that Kameran Dostal has been selected as the recipient of the 2023 NATA Elementary Art Educator of the Year award.

The award goes to individuals who have demonstrated "outstanding dedication and contributions to the field of art education."

“I feel completely overjoyed to accept this award,” said Dostal. "It is my supreme honor that I get to teach art to the students at Emerson and Meadowlark Elementary Schools. My goal throughout every lesson and every piece of our curriculum is to help students explore the joy in creative expression. I believe that art is foundational to the successful development of our students."

Dostal expressed that as an art teacher, being a part of her students’ young lives allows her to introduce students to many different types of artistic media. 

“Seeing the excitement in my students’ faces, learning from them, hearing their unique ideas: these are just a few of the moments that make my job the most rewarding job ever,’ said Dostal.  “I owe this award to many people who poured into my artistic (and often overly outgoing) spirit throughout my life: My husband, my parents, my family, my friends, my high school art teacher, many UNK professors, many KPS administrators and colleagues, as well as many incredible artists and art educators across our state. Of course, I have my students to thank as well. They make coming to school a creative adventure every day.”

NATA is a professional organization "committed to advocating for and advancing high-quality art education" throughout the state of Nebraska.

Every year, NATA awards educators who have shown "exceptional commitment to promoting artistic learning, exhibited leadership in shaping curriculum development within local school districts and communities, and participated actively in professional initiatives at both state and national levels."

Dostal has worked at Meadowlark Elementary since August 2021.

"Kameran is more than an exceptional art instructor," Meadowlark Principal Mark Stute said. "She consistently goes the extra mile and makes impactful relationships with not only her students but all of her colleagues."

Dostal has has also worked at Emerson Elementary for the past three years.

"Having such a remarkably skilled art educator like Kameran at Emerson is a point of pride," Meredith Johnson, Principal of Emerson Elementary, said. "Art plays a pivotal role in nurturing our students…"

The award will be formally presented at the 2023 NATA Fall Conference Awards Ceremony on Oct. 13, at the Innovation Campus on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Campus. The awards presentation will start at 7:00 p.m.