The National Art Education Association has named Jean M. Carmody, of North Kingstown, RI, as the recipient of the 2023 NAEA, The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), VSA Beverly Levett Gerber Special Needs Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious award, determined through a peer review of nominations, recognizes an NAEA member who has made distinguished professional contributions to art education for students with special needs through scholarly writing, research, professional leadership, teaching, and/or community service. The award will be presented during the NAEA 2023 National Convention in San Antonio.

NAEA President James Haywood Rolling, Jr. states, "This award is being given to recognize excellence in professional accomplishment and service by a dedicated art educator. Jean M. Carmody 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."

Founded in 1947, the National Art Education Association is the leading professional membership organization exclusively for visual arts educators. Members include elementary, middle, and high school visual arts educators; college and university professors; university students preparing to become art educators; researchers and scholars; teaching artists; administrators and supervisors; and art museum educators—as well as more than 54,000 students who are members of the National Art Honor Society. We represent 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 and 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.

For more information about the association and its awards program, visit the NAEA website at www.arteducators.org