GOTHENBURG, NE – Gothenburg Dudley Elementary Art Teacher Jami Stortenbecker was named Nebraska Art Teachers Association 2026 Art Educator of the Year.
She will be presented with her award during the NATA Fall Conference October 9th & 10th where she will also be presenting in 3 sessions talking about Artsonia – a website used by students to showcase their artwork, how to establish good substitute teacher plans, and how to start an art summer camp for kids.
Stortenbecker talks about why she chose to pursue a career as an art teacher.
Stortenbecker has been with Gothenburg Public Schools for 13 years after graduating from Concordia University in Seward where she studied Art Education.
She says receiving the award of Art Educator of the Year, “means quite a bit.”
Stortenbecker talks about why she believes art in schools is so important for students.
Alongside Stortenbecker, former GPS art teacher (2025-2026 school year) Samantha Janda received the NATA Marvin Spomer Award which is awarded to a novice art educator within the first five years teaching art at least .51 FTE.
