Through shining peer recommendations and a Review Committee from St. Mary’s County Arts Council, two outstanding local art teachers have been selected for the Kay Daugherty Arts Educator Award! The recipients chosen for 2024 are:

• Kathleen Myers, Lettie Marshall Dent Elementary School (Mechanicsville)

• Deanna Osburn, Leonardtown High School

Kathleen Myers

Mrs. Myers is a veteran teacher from St. Mary's County, Maryland, with 29 years of experience. She began her teaching career in 1995 as a special education instructor. For the past four years, she has taught art exclusively within inclusive classrooms from PK through 5th grade.

Kathleen believes that art is essential for self-expression, cultural understanding, and creative problem-solving.

“My role is to facilitate young minds to discover artists with a diverse range of artistic styles and techniques. My priority is for students to be able to foster their own creativity and innovation.

I encourage taking risks, thinking outside the box, and pushing them to develop their own artistic practice. All students feel represented and valued in our art room. Mistakes are not limitations to creativity but invitations to discovery. I am committed to inspiring and empowering students to explore, create, and appreciate art in all its forms.”

Deanna Osburn

Mrs. Osburn has 21 years experience of teaching Art in St. Mary’s County: six years at Greenview Knolls Elementary School (pre-K- 5th grades), six years at Margaret Brent Middle School (6th-8th grades), and nine years at Leonardtown High School (9th-12th grades).

Deanna views every student as having the potential to appreciate, interpret, and create art.

“It is my job to teach them how to do this in an engaging and structured format. The key to my success comes from establishing an environment with mutual respect. When students feel respected, learning comes easily because the students want to be there.

I encourage my students to explore new concepts and techniques while finding their unique artistic voice. Although not every student is born with natural art talent, I have seen that every single student can make art that is worthy of praise.”

The Kay Daugherty Arts Educator Awards were originally created in 2018 in memory of Kay Daugherty (1921-2006). Mrs. Daugherty was well-known for her love of art in a wide variety of different forms.

In Kay’s honor and in recognition of outstanding arts educators from the St. Mary’s County public school system, these awards are granted on an annual basis through support from the Daugherty family. Congratulations to both of our recipients!

(Photos below are from the Kay Daugherty Award presentations at St. Mary’s County Arts Council on June 18th, 2024. We would also like to thank our two scholarship recipients for being there as well!)

Kay Daugherty Arts Educator Awards Presentation

L to R: Susie Glauner (SMCAC Executive Director), Barbara Bershon (SMCAC President), Kathleen Myers (KD Award Recipient).

Due to a prior commitment, KD Award Recipient Deanna Osburn is not pictured but was recognized for all of her hard work!

Kay Daugherty award recipients, scholarship students, and special guests from our award presentation day!

Pictured L to R:

Barbara Bershon, President St. Mary’s County Arts Council

Kathleen Myers, 2024 Kay Daugherty Award recipient

Joann Mercer, grandmother of Vada Mercer

Vada Mercer, 2024 SMC Arts Council scholarship recipient (Leonardtown High School)

Eileen Lardner, 2024 SMC Arts Council scholarship recipient (home school)

Susie Glauner, St. Mary’s County Arts Council Executive Director

Todd Burroughs, Supervisor of Fine Arts, St. Mary’s County Public Schools