She will receive her award at the association's annual conference in Bakersfield in November.

A professor and graduate coordinator for CSUN's master's degree program in art education, Pistolesi was selected for the honor by the association of 1,000 visual art educators.

"We felt that her qualifications were outstanding," said Sally Paul, CAEA professional relations chair. "She has shown the ability to motivate and inspire those with whom she has worked through her leadership and enthusiasm."

Citing Pistolesi's work with pre-service teachers and her involvement in expanding the art education graduate program at CSUN, Paul said Pistolesi has demonstrated a strong advocacy in advancing the cause of art education.

Pistolesi said she is honored to receive the award.

"I really love being an art teacher," Pistolesi said. "I see teaching as a chance to take students on an exploration."

Pistolesi has a master's degree in art education and a master of fine arts in performance art from Texas Tech University. She earned her Ph.D. in art education from Pennsylvania State University.

She has taught both undergraduate and graduate courses at CSUN since joining the university art department in 1991 as assistant professor and graduate coordinator for the master's degree program in art education.

California State University, Northridge has more than 30,000 full- and part-time students and offers 63 bachelor's and 51 master's degrees. Founded in 1958, it is the only four-year university in the San Fernando Valley and the third largest in the 23-campus CSU system. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges recently said CSUN "stands as a model to other public urban institutions of higher educationŠ"