10/13/2026
We are very proud of Mary Ure! She is one of our fantastic mentors and we are so glad to see her get recognition for the work she does with her art students! Mary has also been recognized in the 2026 cohort of the Inspire the Future: FIRST Recognition Program and as the 2023 GKC Regional Woodie Flowers Finalist Award. Congratulations Mary!
One of the best things about our fall conference is the chance to honor and celebrate our award winners! The awards will be formally presented tomorrow night but we want to share our awardees now.
The Outstanding Elementary Art Educator is Mary Ure!
Mary Ure has taught art for over thirteen years at Cottonwood Elementary in Paola, Kansas. She has served in numerous roles outside of school including presenting several workshops for KAEA conferences and summer camps as well as MACE, KSDE, ECET, and Bridging for Resilience. Most summers she spends providing enrichment opportunities including art camps and classes for students as well as adults throughout the community. A long-time KAEA and NAEA member, she has also been involved in the Heartland Art Guild, Paola Optimist Club, local 4-H Club; the PEAK program, and served as a Mentor and Coach in the FIRST Robotics and Lego competitions. In 2020 Ms. Ure worked on the Visual Art Curriculum Committee with the KSDE for Navigating Change. Her artwork has been included in multiple Heartland Art Guild Exhibits, featured on the cover of Covenant Companion Magazine, and is held in numerous private collections.
Mary was selected as her district’s Young Educator of the Year in 2014 and as the Elementary Educator of the Year in 2017. She has chaired her district’s Showcase Committee and Night at the Museum and served as a mentor for a preservice teacher.
Mary’s principal states that “Mary Ure is the type of educator who leaves a lasting impact on everyone around her. She inspires students to take creative risks, encourages colleagues through her leadership and collaboration, and advocates tirelessly for the value of the arts in education.”
Congratulations, Mary!