High School Art Teacher Recognized With Community Award

Seaford High School art teacher Melinda McKee was recently honored by Artists in Partnership, a Long Beach-based nonprofit organization advocating for local artists and creators, at the ninth annual Women in the Arts awards and recognition gala at the Allegria Hotel. 

Ms. McKee, a teacher in the district since 2018, was presented with an Arts and Culture Award for her contributions to the Long Island art community. She runs Mural Minds, which brings artists together to create community murals, in addition to hosting art workshops and craft nights. Murals spearheaded by her venture have beautified the Long Beach boardwalk, schools, local businesses and even an abandoned building. 

At Seaford High School, she teaches Filmmaking, Interior Design, Photography and Yearbook Production courses. She is also the adviser of the Mural Club and Yearbook. Ms. McKee holds a bachelor’s degree in art education from SUNY New Paltz and a master’s degree in education from Durham University.  

She was one of 14 women to receive an award from Artists in Partnership in seven different categories.  

“It was a complete surprise,” she said. “I’ve just been trying to give back to the community. I was very honored and humbled to receive it. I just want people to love art as much as I do.” 

As a teacher, Ms. McKee said her goal is for her students to feel happy and comfortable in her art classroom. She also wants them to take risks and challenge themselves so they can grow as artists. 

“Melinda is always full of joy,” said Dr. Patrick Kennedy, coordinator of fine and applied arts. “There’s a deep love of art and she tries to instill that in her students here and out in the community.”