Batavia Art Teacher Wins National Leadership Award

BATAVIA, IL — A Batavia art teacher was recently recognized with a leadership award by a global art platform.

Nicole Pappanduros, an art instructor at Grace McWayne Elementary School, was named a recipient of Artsonia's 2026 Art Education Leadership Award, which honors people in art education who inspire their peers, engage students and promote creativity in the classroom through their online gallery on Artsonia.com.

Pappanduros, who has taught art in Batavia for 21 years, was one of 10 winners nationwide who received this year's award, according to a news release from Artsonia.

"Being recognized as a leader in arts education is an honor," she said in a statement. "It's incredibly meaningful to know that the work I'm doing in supporting students' creativity and growth is valued beyond my own classroom."

The excitement of her students is what fuels Pappanduros's passion for teaching, per Artsonia.

"What inspires me to teach elementary art is the energy and enthusiasm that young artists bring to the classroom every day," she said. "Their creativity is fearless. They are willing to take risks, try new ideas, and express themselves in ways that are genuine and unfiltered."

RELATED: Batavia Elementary Student Named 'Artist Of The Week' By Global Platform

Pappanduros is one of thousands of teachers who use Artsonia, which enables teachers to digitally showcase student art, organize and plan art lessons, and fundraise for their classrooms. The platform donates 20 percent of its revenue to local art classrooms.

Artsonia is said to be the world's largest collection of online student art portfolios.

The online platform also recently awarded Batavia student Nyneishia Sanjenbam, a fifth-grader at J.B. Nelson Elementary School, with its "Artist of the Week" recognition, Patch reported.