OLDSMAR, Fla. — Judith Woodward is starting off the new school year excited to create new relationships with her students and find out whether she's won a statewide award. Woodward is a finalist for the Florida Art Education Association's Elementary Art Education Teacher of the Year award.

Woodward says she will find out if she won in October. 

“I am very honored by the fact that other art teachers have taken the time to nominate me and recognize the hard work that I have put in," she said.

She has been an art teacher in Pinellas County for 15 years, and has spent the last two years at Forest Lakes Elementary. Woodward said she was destined to be an art teacher. 

“Both of my parents are art teachers, and so I kind of grew up around it," she said. "And I just loved it so much that I wanted to be an art teacher too."

“I always think of art as the line that connects the dots," she continued. "So the kids might learn math and reading, but art is what ties everything together and helps them make those connections."

Woodward says she works hard to help her students find a passion for art. 

“It is amazing to see the kids get a chance to share their voice through their art that they create," she said. “I really love teaching art and seeing how much fun it is for the kids. And that’s what makes it so fun for me, is getting to see their excitement and getting to share in their excitement as well.”

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