Region – Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School recently announced that David Stockbridge has been named the 2014 Massachusetts Art Education Association (MAEA) Secondary Art Educator of the Year.
Stockbridge followed a dream to teach through a very circuitous route.
As he puts it, after taking a few college courses, “Life moved on. I married and was blessed to have four daughters, a successful business as a painting and wall covering contractor, and a supportive family.”
Twenty years after he had initially set out to complete his studies in art, Stockbridge obtained his undergraduate degree from Massachusetts College of Art, and found a teaching opportunity in the Painting and Design Technologies program at Assabet Valley.
“A few years later I was asked to come up with a proposal to add an art elective to the academic offerings at the school, and I'se been the art instructor for the last ten years,” he explained. “I am proud of our vocational/technical students who continue to prove that the combination of trade skills and academic excellence is the right combination for their education.”
Mark Hollick, principal at Assabet Valley, said, “It is very fitting that Dave is being recognized for his contributions to art education. He has built a fantastic program at Assabet Valley, and many of his students have also received awards and recognition for their work. He personally is multi-talented and comfortable in many mediums, but he has a passion for making his students stretch to the next level. He enjoys challenging their innate talents to force them to new heights. We congratulate Dave on his success.”
The award will be presented during the awards luncheon of the MAEA Fall Conference held at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Saturday, Nov. 8.
