Fear Named NM Art Educator of the Year

Daniel Fear (Courtesy: Farmington Municipal Schools)

Daniel Fear has been Farmington Municipal School's Coordinator of Fine Arts since 2016 and was named 2022 Art Administrator of the Year by the NM Art Education Association.

From Farmington Municipal Schools

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Farmington Municipal Schools (FMS) is pleased to announce that our Coordinator of Fine Arts, Daniel Fear, has been named the 2022 Art Administrator of the Year by the New Mexico Art Education Association (NMAEA).


“I thank the NMAEA for this distinct honor. I also thank our FMS teachers; you are great peers and the best collaborators. It is a
privilege to serve the art educators of Farmington Municipal Schools. Working with them as an advocate for arts education across
our beautiful state is also a highlight. In advocacy, we are fierce fighters with wildly creative ideas and driving perseverance to
improve what we are able to provide to all students with increased equity and opportunities,” said Mr. Fear.


“This is a well-deserved recognition of Mr. Fear’s years of dedication to fine arts. He began his journey as a fine arts administrator
nearly seven years ago, but in the twenty-four years he has been with FMS, he has spent a great deal of time learning about art
instruction and pedagogical approaches from some of the best educators in the state while collaborating with our art teachers in
their classrooms. We congratulate him for this recognition and contribution to the district, where he has demonstrated extraordinary
love and dedication to education,” said Superintendent Diehl.


Mr. Fear became the Coordinator of Fine Arts for Farmington Municipal Schools in April 2016. During his time as Fine Arts
Coordinator, Farmington Municipal Schools has been recognized as a NAMM Best Community for Music Education for 6 consecutive
years, and the NMMEA’s District of Distinction three times.


About Daniel Fear
Daniel Fear received his Bachelor of Music Education from New Mexico State University in the spring of 1999. While at NMSU he
studied tuba with Dr. Jim Shearer and conducting with Dr. William Clark. He completed his Master’s Degree in Educational
Administration through Eastern New Mexico University in July 2015. Mr. Fear has been involved with instrumental music teaching
since the fall of 1999, all with Farmington Municipal Schools.
Mr. Fear is an active performer with the Celebration Brass of First Presbyterian Church - Farmington, Southwest Civic Winds, Kissmah
Brass Band, San Juan College Concert Band, Die Sechs Polka Dots polka band, and the Great Western Rocky Mountain Brass Band
Festival. Mr. Fear is also an active clinician and adjudicator in New Mexico and Colorado.
Mr. Fear has served as president of the Northwest New Mexico Music Educators Association. He holds professional memberships
with the National Association for Music Education, and the New Mexico Music Educators Association, as well as a member of the
New Mexico chapter of Phi Beta Mu. He is also a member of the National Art Educators Association and the New Mexico Art
Educators Association. His service memberships include the Southwest Civic Winds Board, Connie Gotsch Arts Foundation Board, the
San Juan College Fine Arts Committee, and the New Mexico Advisory Council on Arts Education.

More from Local News

  • One Dead after RV Fire in Flora Vista

    Around 3:40 am, Sunday, November 9, San Juan County Fire & Rescue was dispatched to reports of a structure fire on Road 3546 in Flora Vista. San Juan County Fire & Rescue responded with mutual aid from the Bloomfield Fire Department.   Crews arrived to find an RV on fire and the occupant still inside.  Despite a quick response from fire crews, the RV was a total loss, and an occupant was found dead after the fire was extinguished.

  • Lanier Announces 2026 run for NM Governor

    In 2020, Lanier was elected to the San Juan County Commission, and in 2024, he was elected State Senator for New Mexico's 2nd District. 

  • 2025 General Election Results

    These are unofficial results from the contested races in the 2025 General Election held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025

  • Bus Service to Link Farmington to Durango, Albuquerque

    The need for the route was identified in the Statewide Public Transportation Plan and will run between Albuquerque, Farmington, Bernalillo, Cuba and into Durango, CO. The new service line will run five days a week, with one round trip each day, providing access to Navajo Transit and Red Apple Transit in Farmington.

  • Two Fatally Shot in Durango, Suspect Shoots Self

    Durango Police say that both victims from Monday night's shooting, Shelby Campbell (32) and Emma Sims (32),  have passed away from their injuries. The suspect, Bradley Campbell (32), remains on life support with a gunshot wound to the head.  Durango Police Detectives continue to investigate this incident, but there is no indication that anyone else was involved.

  • Update: Driver Cited for Street Racing (video)

    The driver of the red Toyota Supra, 22-year-old Kalynn Kenworthy, was charged with racing on highways. Kenworthy has an extensive history of traffic violations, including citations for racing in August 2025 and in 2023, as well as more than seven speeding citations within the past four years, each averaging more than 15 mph over the posted speed limit. Additional charges are pending against the driver of the white passenger car.

On KSJE Now:

Today's Weather

  • Farmington, NM

    Sunny intervals

    High: 55°F | Low: 28°F

  • Durango, CO

    Sunny intervals

    High: 52°F | Low: 27°F

  • Shiprock, NM

    Sunny intervals

    High: 57°F | Low: 28°F

  • Cortez, CO

    Sunny intervals

    High: 54°F | Low: 25°F

  • Santa Fe, NM

    Sunny intervals

    High: 54°F | Low: 36°F