Innovative art educator, Emily Maras, named Teacher of the Year

Emily Maras, 2026 Teacher of the Year, is pictured third from left with employees of Security Bank, whose sponsored this year’s Teacher and Employee of the Year awards, along with providing the luncheon meal. 

The Lennox School District has announced Mrs. Emily Maras as its 2026 Teacher of the Year. The honor, bestowed annually, is determined through nominations from staff, students, parents, and community members, and the final selection is made by a committee of school board members, educators, and parents.

Maras began teaching at Lennox Junior High and High School shortly after earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in Arts and Sciences with a specialization in K-12 Art Education from South Dakota State University in 2013. Since then, she has become a dynamic presence in the school — developing new art classes, leading the high school’s social committee, and helping coordinate decorations for major school events.

Her journey toward becoming an educator started long before she entered the classroom.

“When I was younger, I loved to do art in my free time,” Maras said. “I would draw, paint, and play with Play-Doh whenever I could. Then in junior high when I finally got to take art classes, I decided I wanted to do something with art. I don’t think I knew I wanted to be a teacher until I spent my summers as a lifeguard with kids; and then I knew I wanted to find a career in something that involved both — which for me, was becoming an art teacher.”

Maras credits multiple teachers in her life for shaping her passion and drive. 

“I had many teachers that made an impact in my life; my art teacher, language arts teacher and my math teacher. They all took time to help encourage my talents, school work, and extracurriculars,” she said.

While she originally planned to teach elementary school, her path evolved as her interest in a broad range of art forms grew.

“Interestingly, I originally planned to teach elementary school — but looking back now, that feels like a completely different path!” Maras said. “Over time, I developed a passion for exploring a wide range of art skills and mediums, and I realized I wanted to share that with my students. I’ve spent years teaching myself different techniques so I could not only expand my own abilities, but also introduce students to the those possibilities as well.  I’m fortunate to have a very supportive principal at Lennox who has allowed me to create and add classes that reflect this vision. While in college, students typically choose a specialty, but I knew I wanted to explore every style and medium I could—not just to teach them effectively, but to challenge myself as well. I believe if I’m asking my students to step out of their comfort zones, I should be doing the same.”

Maras sees art education as more than just a creative outlet — she views it as essential to personal development. 

“When I first meet my 7th grade students, I tell them that art isn’t just about talent. Just like with sports or any other activity, you have to practice in order to get better,” she explained. “But to me, art is about more than just learning how to draw or match colors — it’s about learning patience. It teaches kids to slow down, to be present, and to focus on the process rather than the outcome. In a world where everything moves fast and instant gratification is the norm, art gives students the chance to work with their hands, take their time, and  connect with what they’re creating.”

That philosophy carries into how she engages students who might not see themselves as “artistic.” She’s intentional about creating an inclusive and encouraging environment.

“I really try to bring in projects that allow students to add in their interests in one way or another,” she said. “I also do not judge them on talent alone. Each student has their own ability to perceive and interpret art, and I try to take that into consideration in their projects. As long as they follow the directions and rubric, it is very easy for them to succeed. This way, they are not discouraged when they first start their art classes.  I also try to keep up with art trends going on, so the students are interested in trying and executing new techniques. ”

One of her favorite current projects is a hit with students and draws inspiration from social media.

“One of my favorite projects right now is inspired by TikTok trends and really captures my students’ attention,” she said. “In this assignment, students choose a cartoon character and divide the image into four sections. Each section is then reimagined in a different artistic style — options include realism, cartoon, x-ray, drip, pixelated, and more.”

The result is not only visually striking but also a hands-on exploration of multiple mediums, using materials such as colored pencils, Posca pens, and white gel pens.

Being selected as Teacher of the Year was a moment of deep appreciation and pride for Maras.

“I was really honored and excited to be named Teacher of the Year! Teaching comes with its challenges, so receiving that recognition felt like meaningful validation from both my administration and students,” she said. “It reiterated the dedication and time I invest in my students and my lessons.”

Looking ahead, her hopes for her students extend far beyond the art room.

“I hope my students leave my classroom with a sense of patience and a genuine appreciation for the creative process,” she said. “I want them to find joy in hands-on projects and develop the confidence to approach complex tasks by breaking them down into manageable parts. Ultimately, my goal is for them to look at something that once seemed difficult and think, ‘I know how to do that now.’”