2008 Awards in Arts and Disabilities

2008 Awards in Arts and Disabilities

Accessible Arts and the Kansas State Board of Education have honored two outstanding Kansas artists and educators with the 2008 awards in arts and disabilities. The 2008 Educator of the Year in Arts & Disabilities was awarded to David Will of Norton, Kansas. The Educator of the Year is selected by the Accessible Arts Honors Committee from nominations by peers. He was nominated by Jane Burton, Librarian at Norton Community, H.S. The 2008 Award for Distinguished Service in Arts and Disabilities was presented to Irene Eisenbise of Hiawatha, Kansas. She was selected by AAI staff and the Honors Committee.

2008 Educator of the Year in Arts and Disabilities
David Will
 

For the past 37 years David Will has taught instrumental and vocal music to Kansas     students. His career has taken him to a number of communities that include Eskridge, Harveyville, and Dover school districts near Topeka.  He has taught eleven years with the Claflin School District, and is presently a long-standing member of the faculty in the Norton Community school system.  David grew up in Oakley and Ulysses in Western Kansas. He received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Southwestern College in Winfield, KS and a Masters in Music Education from Wichita State. David is a member of NEA, KNEA, MENC, KMEA, NBA, KBA and Phi Beta Mu where he has held many positions of leadership. In 2000 the Kansas Music Educators Association recognized him for Outstanding Kansas Music Educator. His colleagues in Claflin also nominated him as a Kansas Master Teacher. David is married to Virginia who is also a teacher. Together they have two grown sons who are both married.

 
2008 Distinguished Service Award in Arts and Disabilities
Irene E. Eisenbise
 

Irene Eisenbise is a retired English, Speech, and Theatre teacher who has served in several cities throughout Kansas, including 17 years at Hiawatha High School.  Upon retiring, she became an Educational Consultant conducting workshops, symposiums, both independently and for the Kansas State Board of Education.  Irene was also a certified jewelry designer for 20 years. Irene’s passion for the theatre and love of children coincided in 2006, when Irene was hired by Accessible Arts, Inc. to become a resident artist, working with schools and communities to co-direct and produce The Jellybean Conspiracy play.  This play allows high school students with and without disabilities to collaborate and present a play, in a safe and creative environment.  Irene has since co- directed three more Jellybean Conspiracy productions.  Irene states, “This has indeed been the most rewarding experience I have been involved in during my entire career.  My reward has been to see schools and communities openly accept each of us for the talents we possess and can share throughout our lives, no matter what our abilities or disabilities.” Irene continues to use her creative background in educational consulting and theatre to reach out and make an impact in our schools, theatre departments, and communities.