Laurin Middle School art teacher earns honor

Brush Prairie — For her dedication to arts education, Laurin Middle School teacher Tanya Bachman was recently named Middle Level Educator of the Year by the Washington Art Education Association. Bachman, a teacher for 19 years, was heralded in a Battle Ground Public Schools press release for going the extra mile as an educator, including giving kids fun hands-on projects and inviting local artists to share their work in class. She has also organized art shows for students to share their work outside of the classroom. Bachman and other award winners will be honored at the annual Washington Art Education Association Conference on Oct. 25 in Tukwila. “It’s the most amazing thing,” Bachman said in the release. “They have the gift within, and I get to watch it develop. I get to see the creative process unfold.”