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Tullahoma City Schools has revealed that West Middle School’s Kathy McMillan was named the 2026 Tennessee Art Education Association’s (TAEA) Tennessee Art Educator of the Year.

“It is such an honor to be nominated and awarded by my peers,” McMillan said. “I was shocked and blessed to be nominated by a great friend, Kelly Orr, who is the secretary at the Tennessee Art Education Association and a Tullahoma High School art teacher. Since joining TAEA, I never dreamed I would be nominated or win the 2026 TAEA Tennessee Art Educator of the Year award.”

McMillan has taught visual arts at West Middle School since 2004. She has additionally served two terms as TAEA Middle Region Co-Chair.

“We are so proud of Kathy McMillan for being named the Tennessee Art Educators Association Art Teacher of the Year,” said TCS Fine Arts Coordinator Sarah McVey. “Kathy’s dedication to her students and her willingness to be a leader in professional art development across the state is truly inspiring. Her leadership within our district and at the state level continues to strengthen and grow our fine arts department, ensuring that students have rich, creative opportunities to learn and thrive.”

McMillan will be honored at the TAEA Awards Ceremony, which takes place on Saturday, Oct. 25, in the KUC Auditorium on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University.

“TAEA has helped me since the beginning of my career to become a better art teacher, McMillan said. “I love to spread the joy of art to everyone. When I decided to become an art teacher, I thought – and still think – that everyone can be an artist. I believe every student can have an artistic voice, which is a positive outlet in today’s stressful environment. The best part of being an art teacher is watching students who say they are not good at art, and after working through the process of creating an artwork in my class, realize that they can be successful and love art. My passion is for all students to keep creating and loving art throughout their lives.”

With the awards ceremony a little over a week away, TCS Director of Schools, Dr. Catherine Stephens, congratulated McMillan.

“Kathy is an amazing art educator and truly deserves this honor,” Dr. Stephens said. “If you know Kathy, you know she is extremely talented, which shines through in her classroom and her students’ creations. She truly loves her students and thoroughly enjoys teaching art. I am so very proud of her, thankful to call her a friend and also the TAEA Tennessee Art Educator of the Year.”