WESTPORT–Staples High School’s Carla Eichler was named as the recipient of the Connecticut Art Education Association’s (CAEA) 2025 Outstanding Art Educator Award. This is CAEA’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.

Eichler has been teaching at Staples since 2005. She currently teaches all grades 9-12, including classes on Intro Graphic Design, Advanced Graphic Design and Honors Digital Design. 

Complete surprise

Eichler told Westport Journal that she “was completely surprised by the honor.”  She added, “I recently became more involved in the CAEA, and over the summer I worked with the executive team on a redesign of the organization’s logo and website. I was nominated by Alexa Orndahl, the CAEA treasurer. It feels wonderful to be recognized by my peers and I look forward to the awards ceremony next month. I am also so thankful for my fellow art teachers at Staples, and Steve Zimmerman, the WPS Music and Visual Arts Coordinator.” 

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.”

“We are thrilled to celebrate Ms. Eichler’s extraordinary commitment to her students and to the field of art education,” Superintendent Thomas Scarice added. 

“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.