LEXINGTON, Ky. — A visual art teacher at Lexington Middle School has earned national recognition for his innovative approach to arts integration in the classroom. Leonardo Jaramillo-Jones received a 2026 Distinguished Specialist Award from the Institute for Arts Integration and STEAM, according to a statement from Fayette County Public Schools. He was one of four honorees recognized at this month's national conference in St. Louis, Missouri, where students' work was showcased to a broad audience.

Jaramillo-Jones is in his second year teaching visual art at Lexington Middle, having joined the school in 2024 as a Spanish instructor. His transition to the arts reflects his commitment to creative education and integrated learning approaches that combine visual and performing arts with other core subjects.

The Institute for Arts Integration and STEAM is the world's largest online professional development provider for teachers using arts-integrated approaches. The organization supports educators in building future-ready classrooms through research-based frameworks that combine creativity with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics instruction.

"He is so deserving of this honor, and we are incredibly lucky to have him on our team," Principal Bryne Jacobs said of Jaramillo-Jones. The recognition highlights the school's commitment to expanding visual and performing arts pathways for students and reflects growing recognition of how arts integration enhances student learning across subjects.