Congratulations to Paige Catalina and Judy Rosenthal
We are proud to announce that two educators from Sisters received state honors for excellence in arts education on October 18. Please join us in congratulating Paige Catalina of Sisters Elementary School and Judy Rosenthal of Sisters Middle School. This recognition from the Oregon Arts Education Association reflects the creativity and care our teachers bring to students each day.
Oregon Elementary Art Educator of the Year
Paige Catalina
At SES, Ms. Catalina builds hands-on art experiences that help young students explore drawing, painting, and ceramics with the support of the school kiln. A long-running tradition pairs first-grade “monster” drawings with Sisters High School art students, who turn the sketches into clay sculptures. The reveal connects younger learners with older mentors and shows what is possible as students move through the program.
Oregon Middle Level Art Educator of the Year
Judy Rosenthal
At SMS, Ms. Rosenthal blends skills practice with public projects. Students have designed and painted large murals on campus and worked with local artist Suzie Zeitner on a glass installation now on display at Sisters Art Works. She runs a weekly art club for grades 5 to 8 that gives students extra time to create and build confidence.
Community support made this growth possible. Early grant funding coordinated with SFF Presents helped launch full-time art positions, and Sisters School District now funds these roles as part of its long-term commitment to arts education. That support is visible in classrooms, hallways, and community spaces across the district.
We are grateful to our families and partners and proud of Ms. Catalina and Ms. Rosenthal. Their state honors recognize two outstanding teachers and the community that stands behind them.
Clippings from The Nugget's October 8, 2025 Newspaper
