Staples High School’s Carla Eichler has been selected as the recipient of the Connecticut Art Education Association’s (CAEA) 2025 Outstanding Art Educator Award, the organization’s highest honor. The award recognizes significant contributions to the field of art education and is considered one of the most prestigious distinctions for visual art and museum educators in the state.

 

CAEA, the state’s largest professional association for art and museum educators from all levels, annually honors exemplary teachers who inspire creativity and foster innovation through the arts. Candidates undergo a competitive and rigorous peer nomination and selection process.

 

“This event is one of the most rewarding programs carried out by the CAEA. We are enthusiastic in our support of these outstanding art educators. Their energy and commitment to the profession benefits their community and enriches their students’ lives. On behalf of CAEA, I congratulate Ms. Eichler, the Staples High School community and the Westport school district for their successes in the pursuit of excellence in art education,” said Dan Rosenthal-Baxter, President-Elect of the Connecticut Art Education Association.

 

Eichler will be formally recognized at the CAEA Awards Presentation and Dinner on Friday, October 24, 2025, at the Back Nine Tavern at Stanley Park Golf Course in New Britain, Connecticut.

 

Staples High School Principal Stafford Thomas praised the honor, noting, “Ms. Eichler’s steadfast dedication to the arts has fostered a vibrant and supportive environment at Staples, where she inspires students to think both creatively and critically while cultivating a love of learning that extends well beyond the classroom. The arts are an essential component of our students’ development, and Ms. Eichler exemplifies the commitment and excellence that allow our programs to flourish. Her recognition by the Connecticut Art Education Association is a well-deserved honor that highlights not only her outstanding professional achievements, but also the strength and vitality of the arts community in Westport.”

 

“We are thrilled to celebrate Ms. Eichler’s extraordinary commitment to her students and to the field of art education,” Superintendent Thomas Scarice added. “Her work not only strengthens our arts program but also reflects the community’s deep commitment to providing students with opportunities to grow as creative, thoughtful, and collaborative learners.”

 

The CAEA praised Eichler and all honorees for their dedication, energy, and impact on students’ lives across the state.