Dr. Sarah Ackermann, Ball State’s executive director for teaching innovation with the Division of Online and Strategic Learning, was recently honored as 2021 Educator of Distinction by the Illinois Art Education Association (IAEA).
Sarah grew up in Joliet, Illinois, and attended University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her first teaching assignment took her to Streamwood High School, a suburb northwest of Chicago, to teach photography.
Each year the IAEA recognizes art, design, and media educators for their contributions to the field. The association's awards and scholarship committee judged Sarah’s professional performance, service, and leadership to be exemplary in all categories.
The IAEA is the premier professional development provider for art, design, and media educators in Illinois. The organization serves thousands of teachers statewide through a wide range of programs and services.