Ambassador
“I realized that this program aligns with my own work of integrating art and culture in my classroom. I have been sharing art and artists with my students who are from diverse backgrounds as well as marginalized groups in an effort to expose them to people that they can relate to.”
With over 15 years of experience, Alyssa M. Navapanich is a dedicated and creative leader in art education. She has taught art to a diverse range of students, from Pre-K to 8th grade children to adults. She is known for her innovative art programs that align with state and national standards while connecting art lessons to classroom curricula. A lifelong creative, Alyssa constantly seeks inspiration from museums, art conferences, live performances, and gallery openings. Her students have displayed their artwork across Southern California through programs such as Youth Art Month, the Biennial San Diego Museum of Art Young Art Exhibition, and the California Art Education Association (CAEA) K-8 Exhibition. Alyssa is an active volunteer, contributing her time to organizations like the Girls Scouts of America, CAEA and the San Diego County Mega Arts Conference. In addition to teaching, she is a regular contributor to San Diego Family Magazine with her “Art with Alyssa column” where she shares engaging art lessons and family projects. Outside of teaching, Alyssa enjoys outdoor activities such as camping, backpacking, and hiking, and finding beauty in the natural world. She is the 2023 CAEA Outstanding Visual Art Educator of the Year 2023, 2020 CAEA Elementary Art Teacher of the Year, and the 2020 NAEA Pacific Region Art Teacher of the Year.
