Kelly Smith (left) with Tom Loch.
Technical Education teacher Kelly Smith received one of the top honors in the graphic arts education community this summer. She was awarded the Fred J. Hartman/Ervin A. Dennis Support of Education Award at the Graphic Communications Education Association annual conference held July 28-Aug. 1 at Clemson University in South Carolina.
The award recognizes unselfish and devoted service over many years to the promotion of graphic arts education in industry and institutions of learning. Smith’s award was presented to her by Tom Loch, the 2018 Hartman/Dennis recipient and her former Stevenson colleague.
Smith has taught at Stevenson for 16 years. She is the lead teacher in the Print Media program and is the senior member of the Technology Education Department. Last year, she and her colleagues earned the Award of Excellence as a team in the Illinois State Board of Education’s Those Who Excel program.
Smith serves as the core leader for her department, and is part of the school’s Tech Cadre and Literacy Committee. Smith also teaches Audio Video Design and Media Arts Design and Development. She is sponsor of the Print Media Club and an assistant coach on the boys swimming and diving team.
She has been a member of the Graphic Communications Education Association since 2005. She served two terms as secretary of the organization, and has been a prime contributor to the development of its websites. Smith also has given presentations at GCEA regional and annual conferences, and at local workshops.
Smith earned her undergraduate degree from Illinois State University, and has master’s degrees from DePaul University and Arizona State University. She serves on the ISU Technology Education Advisory Board and on the Graphic Communications Advisory Board.