By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – Tim Chaves, an art teacher at 1LT Charles W. Whitcomb Middle School, is the recipient of the 2017 Exceptional New Art Educator of the Year award, given by the Massachusetts Art Education Association (MAEA). He received the award at a special ceremony held in November at Lesley University in Cambridge.
“I was honored to receive this prestigious award and will continue to enjoy integrating art in all courses of study,” said Chaves. “I have been an active member of the MAEA since I was a student at UMass. I have been at multiple conferences celebrating their achievements, but I never thought I would receive an award from MAEA.”
MAEA is the state’s professional association for art educators whose mission is to advance high quality visual arts education throughout the state by empowering art educators to excel in the practice, instruction, promotion and celebration of visual art.
Chaves is in his third year teaching at Whitcomb. He received a degree in art education from the University of Mass. Dartmouth, and taught at Marlborough High School in 2014 before applying for a full-time position at the middle school.
“I became interested in art education when I was teaching pottery at a camp during my college career,” he said. “It was then that I realized my passion in teaching art, which was later influenced by a Marlborough High art teacher who inspired and motivated me.”
