Tasha Newton, is the daughter of Carl and Rhonda Smith formerly of Alliance, Nebraska and is also the granddaughter of Russel and the late Darlene Finch. Tasha was born in Alliance, Nebraska. Tasha and her husband, Kyle and their children, Oliver and Dorothy live in Fall Creek, WI.
Tasha Newton, who teaches middle and high school art in the Augusta Area School District, was named the Wisconsin Art Education Association’s 2023 art educator of the year. The award is given to an art educator who has significantly demonstrated a long-term contribution to art education on the local, state and or national levels.
“The district is very proud of Tasha for not only being named as the WI Art Educator of the Year but also for the passion, talents, and skills she brings to the students of our Augusta School Community,” said District administrator Dr. Ryan Nelson.
Tasha was honored with this award at the WAEA fall conference in October 2023.
Now, in early April, it was announced by the Augusta School District in Wisconsin that Tasha was named both the 2024 Western Region Art Educator of the Year and the 2024 Western Region Secondary Art Educator of the year by the National Art Education Association.
These awards are determined through a peer review of nominations and recognizes the exemplary contributions, service, and achievements of an outstanding NAEA members annually at the Regional level within their division. These awards were presented at the NAEA 2024 National Convention in Minneapolis which took place April 4 through April 6.
NAEA President Wanda B. Knight stated, “This award is being given to recognized excellence in professional accomplishment and service by a dedicated art educator. Tasha Newton exemplifies the highly qualified art educators active in education today: leaders, teachers, students, scholars, and advocates who give their best to their students and the profession.”
NAEA President Wanda B. Knight stated, “This award is being given to recognized excellence in professional ac complishment and service by a dedicated art educator. Tasha Newton exemplifies the highly qualified art educators ac tive in education today: leaders, teachers, students, scholars, and advocates who give their best to their students and the profession.”
The National Art Education Association is the leading professional membership organization exclusively for visual arts education. Members include elementary, middle, and high school visual arts educators; college and university pro fessors; university students preparing to become art educators; researchers and scholars; teaching artist; administrators and supervisors; and art museum educators—as well as more than 54,000 students who are members of the National Art Honor Society. There are members in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, U.S. Possessions, most Canadian Provinces, U.S. military bases around the world, and many foreign countries. The mission of the National Art Education Association (NAEA) champions creative growth dn innovation by equitably advancing the tools and resources for a high quality visual arts, design, and media arts education throughout diverse populations and communities of practice.
In addition to her classroom, Tasha also reaches out to art enthusiasts through YouTube and has an ongoing series of art classes that delve into a multitude of subjects from photography darkrooms to ceramics. Just “Google” Tasha Newton on YouTube to find her art classes!