Holman Middle School art teacher Montie Richter was selected as the 2021 Middle/Junior High Art Educator of the Year. She was announced as the recipient in January and was officially recognized during the awards program of the Missouri Art Education Association (MAEA) spring conference on March 27.

“Montie Richter has been an art educator for more than 20 years and has served as Pattonville School District’s K-8 Art Lead Resource Teacher for the past 12 years. She organizes K-8 annual art shows at the Foundry Centre, student exhibits at De Paul Health Care and a digital exhibition of all K-8 art teachers’ work on the district’s website. Montie has participated in professional development opportunities such as 'Painting for Peace in Ferguson' and 'Painting with Local Artist Cbabi Bayoc' among others. Ms. Richter works hard to get her student’s work noticed. She has a permanent installation in the district’s Learning Center of a large-scale, Chilhuly-style chandelier created by students. She has displayed student work at the local Starbucks with the theme 'Wake Up America.' Montie Richter is a strong advocate for Diversity and Inclusion Awareness and MAEA is proud to name her their Middle School/Junior High Art Educator of the Year.”

Richter's acceptance video featured Zoey Burris, Trevor Elliott, Aiyanna Gore, Hector Gutierrez, Kaci Holland and Chase Sheppard; it was recorded by Reese Jackson.