Bobcat Stories

Recently, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a proclamation designating the 2025-2026 school year the "New Mexico Year of the Arts in Education."  This was a wonderful affirmation of the work that the New Mexico Arts Education Association ( NMAEA) does to promote access to arts education in the state. 

This year, we are proud to announce that Bosque School’s own Visual Arts Department Leader, Sasha Custer, was named “High School Art Teacher of the Year” at the NMAEA October 18 ceremony in Santa Fe. Ms. Custer will also receive national recognition in March 2026 at the National Art Education Association’s conference in Chicago. The NMAEA annual awards honor those whose exemplary classroom practices and/or community contributions in the field of visual or media arts deserve recognition. The competition involves a long process of nomination, letters of recommendation from colleagues and supervisors, supporting testimonials from former students, and a resume and personal statement. 

Head of School Jessie Barrie shared the news with the community earlier this month, saying, “Ms. Custer is not only a masterful student connector, educator, and practicing artist, but also a generous collaborator and visionary leader in the field of arts education. She develops deep and sustained connections with her students, inspires them to push themselves far beyond the scope of what they think might initially be possible, and is a brilliant colleague and department leader.”

Although she appreciates the recognition, at the end of the day, what matters to Ms. Custer is that she is a facilitator — a guide in the process by which students make beautiful things that reflect their identities, questions, and passions. As she said in her acceptance video, “Working with my students truly illuminates the beauty, power, and potential of the creative process, and brings light and hope for the future.”