Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools hosted its second annual Arts Educators Awards on May 6 at the Stage Door Theater to celebrate CMS arts educators in the performing and visual arts. 

“Tonight is dedicated to those rare, wonderful people who teach our students how to think in color, move with purpose and speak with raw emotion,” said Director of Arts Education Justin Pierce. “You teach students how to see, how to listen and how to connect with the world around them. In a society that often prioritizes quick answers over deep questions, you remind our children their curiosity is a superpower, that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and that their unique voices are vital. And we really appreciate that.”

One-by-one, educators took stage during their respective categories to be recognized in front of their families and colleagues and hear some remarks submitted by their peers. Congratulations to the following educators:

K-5 Up and Coming Arts Educator | Ayden Lowe, University Park Creative Arts School 

K-5 Performing Arts Educator of the Year | Christopher Pringle, Mint Hill Elementary School

K-5 Visual Arts Educator of the Year | Tracey Wilson, Winget Park Elementary School

6-8 Up and Coming Arts Educator | Natalie Luengas, Collinswood Language Academy

6-8 Performing Arts Educator of the Year | Beth Coldiron, Bailey Middle School

6-8 Visual Arts Educator of the Year | Kelly Caracci, Kennedy Middle School

9-12 Up and Coming Arts Educator | Amanda Vergara, Palisades High School

9-12 Performing Arts Educator of the Year | Jacqueline Altmeyer, Providence High School

9-12 Visual Arts Educator of the Year | Kate Allen, Ballantyne Ridge High School

Veteran Arts Educator Award | Stacey Boone, Jay M. Robinson Middle School

“Thank you for the grueling, beautiful work of bringing students’ voices to life,” said Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill. “By giving students a platform to share their work, you move them beyond mere participation. You usher them into a place of confidence and self-expression where their unique humanity is honored. In your classrooms, a student isn’t just a test score or a seat number, they are a creator with something vital to say and you give them the courage to say it loud.”