COLUMBIA, SC – South Carolina Connections Academy (SCCA) has announced that Ms. Cynthia Bowie, a dedicated Visual Arts Teacher, has been named to the prestigious 2025-2026 ARTEFFECT Ambassadors cohort. This national fellowship, created by the Lowell Milken Family Foundation, recognizes outstanding middle and high school educators who are advancing visual arts education and character development in their classrooms.
Ms. Bowie is one of just 28 educators from 17 states chosen for this year’s cohort, representing a wide range of professionals in visual arts, social studies, and STEAM fields.
As an ARTEFFECT Ambassador, Ms. Bowie will take part in a yearlong series of online professional development sessions centered on the stories of “Unsung Heroes”, which are individuals who made extraordinary contributions in service to others. Throughout the fellowship, she will:
- Explore creative strategies for helping students connect with Unsung Heroes through visual arts.
- Access innovative lesson plans to guide students in producing meaningful 2D and 3D artwork.
- Work alongside fellow educators from across the country to strengthen her instructional practice.
The year will culminate in a student-centered capstone project that Ms. Bowie will design and implement, both in her classroom and within the broader South Carolina community. These projects aim to elevate the inspirational stories of Unsung Heroes and expand opportunities for arts-based learning.
The Institute congratulates Ms. Bowie on this achievement and celebrates her dedication to using the arts to build character, inspire creativity, and spark meaningful learning experiences for her students.
About South Carolina Connections Academy
South Carolina Connections Academy a tuition-free, online public charter school that serves K-12 students across South Carolina. Its focus is on helping students develop academically as well as socially and emotionally, with a well-rounded learning experience. SCCA’s goal is to work with families to create happy, engaged students who graduate and go on to find a fulfilling career or college path. The school is authorized by the Charter Institute at Erskine. For more information, visit www.connectionsacademy.com/south-carolina-virtual-school/.
