The Back to School / Annual Conference Issue 2013
In t his Issue 3
Letter from the President
4
State and National News
5
Letter from the Conference Co Chairs
6
Conference at a Glance
10 Conference Etiquette 11 While at Conference 13 All About You 14 Conference Workshops 2013 21 “Summer at the Museum” by Allison Seltzer 25 2012 AAEA Award Winners 31 “Why do you Teach Art?” by Laura Abrams 32 “The Role of Membership” by Amy Woelber 33 “PreService Educators at Conference” by Erin Gooch 35 New Website
Letter from t he President Our President’s View
November 2123, but mark October 1 as the first Early Bird deadline, and November 1 as the What an exciting time of year! Our summer second. Then flip to March to note the 2014 break is in the rear view mirror. For many of us NAEA National Convention March 2931. With that include images of place other than home, “Spark! Fusing Innovative Teaching and professional development with colleagues, Emerging Technologies” being just hours away reviewing the draft art standards, and family in San Diego, it is so close. If you have fun. No matter where we spent our break, we attended nationals in the past you know why are now all facing forward. Looking with hope you want to go again. Be sure to visit the NAEA and freshness at the start of a new school year. website to learn more. Might be a new school, or classroom, or rearranged spaces; new ideas for structures or Start planning your valuable professional practices or lessons. It’s the time of “start” once development for this year. Visit our new website again. azarted.org to download the Letter of Encouragement for your administration. Start Start the year with a dedicated connection to the purchase order process now. Registration our profession. Arizona Art Education should be open by the time of publication. Start Association is a vibrant and creative community the year with the that inspires, supports, and advocates for energy you now feel innovative learning in the visual arts. Join us as and start the plan to a member. keep the energy going all year long. As you start a new calendar, please take a couple of minutes to record some important Enjoy, dates. Instead of noting the event date why not Pat Burdette record the deadlines associated with them? Outstanding deserving art educators surround us – nominate one for an AAEA award by the deadline of September 30. The annual fall conference “Renaissance & Renewal” is
Letter from t he Edit or There are so many exciting things happening at the AAEA this year. We have modernized our website, we have sent In Perspective statewide, and we have the annual conference, titled Renaissance and Renewal, is just around the bend. We certainly hope to see in you Sedona, AZ this November at conference for a weekend of rejuvenation and revitalization of our practices and pedagogies. We will be looking art education past and bringing it to speed; making it stronger and more relevant for us as educators and for our students as learners. There are so many amazing hands足on workshops and brilliant best practices seminars that you will not want to miss. Our purpose at the AAEA is to create a vibrant and creative community that inspires, supports, and advocates for innovative learning in the visual arts, and we want you to be an active part of it. If you have a fabulous lesson plan, classroom success story, or advocacy piece, send it in to be published in future issues of In Perspective. Articles and images can be sent to aaea.newsletter@gmail.com. Please make sure that all documents are unformatted .doc files and all images are high resolution at 300 dots or pixels per inch or higher. For more information about the conference, newsletter, educator resources, and more, please visit our new website, now more professional and cohesive than ever at www.azarted.org Best wishes for the school year and we will see you at conference! Kelly Martin
In July, 2013, The National Coalition for Core Art Standards released the newly revised national visual arts standards for public review. Teachers from all across Arizona, as well as other selected regions of the country were asked to give their feedback. Come September 2013, the NCCAS will still be refining assessments and setting benchmarks. For more complete information and updates from the NCCAS, please visit their website at www.http://nccas.wikispaces.com.
Nat ional News
Conference registration Sedona is the destination for this year's annual fall conference, titled Renaissance and Renewal. To keep things clean and convenient, all registration will be done online through a service called RSVP Book. You will be able to reach RSVP Book via our website at http://azarted.org/conference足registration Make sure to register early for more chances to win the raffle basket! The raffle basket is packed with supplies and resources, art work, a free Pink Jeep Tour ride, a complimentary stay at the lovely Sedona Hilton Hotel and Spa, and more! Website One of our biggest ongoing goals for the AAEA is professionalism. In efforts towards professionalism, we thought the website should be updated a bit, as it is a reflection on who we are as educators and professionals. We are very proud to present to you our new website. It is clean, easily navigable, and full of resources and materials. Please check us out at www.azarted.org. Call For Service Our organization is made strong by our volunteers. Our volunteers keep us going with every service from helping out at a workshop up to our leadership positions. If you would like to volunteer for the AAEA, please contact Angie Watts at aaea.membership@gmail.com. Leadership Changes Ballots for new ladership will be presented during conference. Please join us and let your voice be heard. Positions will change officially in April.
St ate News
Letter from t he
President Elect
Conference Chair Pres Elect Letter
Viewfinder
Renaissance as we know it, in a historical context, occurred in the 16th century throughout several regions of Europe. Though much time has passed and in a different geographic location for sure, this impressive collection of architectural, philosophical, and stylistic structures offers us an inspirational backdrop for this year’s conference theme. As art educators, adjusting the focus on structures of the past that support and guide the current and changing trends will assist with the developing revisions to the national standards, the incoming common core curricula, and a renovation of programs. We can all share in the excitement of a new birth of the spirit of art education. There is similar anticipation from the renaissance of old and that of our current transitions. While the basic structures will remain the same, many across the land feel the impact of expectation, evaluation, and personal goals beckoning us to take a stand…a stand for aesthetic inquiry, student centered learning, and freedom to express creativity in the age old field of exploration. Take a deep breath; join us in the red rocks of Sedona! Revitalize and renew your professional practices in a culturally rich landscape. I look forward to seeing you all in the North Country, Michelle Lindsay
Sedona welcomes you to Renaissance and Renewal, the 2013 AAEA conference, November 2123. As conference cochairs, Michelle Lindsay (AAEA President Elect) and Pam Stephens (Chair for Higher Education) look forward to personally greeting each of you and helping to provide a meaningful conference experience. Michelle and Pam along with the AAEA conference team have been planning this event for more than a year. We are truly excited to share this destination conference at the beautiful Hilton Spa and Resort located at 90 Ridge Trail Drive in Sedona. If you have questions about the area, the hotel, the conference in general, or you just want to chat, email Michelle at aaea.2013conference@gmail.com or Pam at Pamela.Stephens@nau.edu. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you in November. In the meantime, here are some details to help prepare for the conference. Best wishes, Pam Stephens
Letter from t he
Conference Co Chair
Conference at a Glance AAEA Conference: Renaissance and Renewal November 2123, 2013 Sedona Hilton Resort and Spa Sedona is the destination for the 2013 AAEA conference. Join colleagues from across the state as we gather to share ideas, learn new concepts, and renew our beliefs in the power of the visual arts. From guest speakers to handson workshops, you are sure to find professional development opportunities that will inspire your teaching.
Raffle Through the generosity of local merchants and the Sedona Hilton Resort and Spa, we are able to provide a wonderful prize that includes a twonight stay at the hotel, a Pink Jeep tour, a visit to the hotel spa, and other great goodies. Tickets for this raffle are not being sold! Here are some ways to get your raffle tickets: Book a room at the Sedona Hilton Resort and Spa, make a presentation, or volunteer to help. One lucky winner will be announced after the awards ceremony on Saturday evening. Hotel Information The Sedona Hilton Resort and Spa is located at 90 Ridge Trail Drive. From Phoenix, take I17 north to exit 298 (Sedona). Turn left onto 179 and drive 7.1 miles. Turn left on Ridge Trail Drive. The hotel is on the left. A discounted conference rate of $129 (plus tax) for a double room is available by calling the hotel at 8772733762 and referencing our group code: AAEA. This discounted rate is valid for one day prior and one day after the conference if you wish to extend your stay. Please note: fire codes in Sedona restrict occupancy limits of hotel rooms.
Thursday Arrive early Thursday and take a twohour trolley tour of Sedona. The discounted tour price is $20, requires a prepaid reservation, is limited to 30 participants, and departs the hotel at 2pmand will return @4pm. You will visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross before driving through West Sedona and to the Dry Creek area for photo opportunities. Thursday evening events at the Sedona Hilton Resort and Spa include mask making and creating artist trading cards. We will have our opening ceremony and dinner to follow this professional development early session. Friday Start your day Friday with a talk from Lynn Tuttle, Director of Arts Education for the Arizona Department of Education. Lynn will introduce the new national standards and explain their importance. Also on tap Friday is Alex Nelson from the Arizona Commission on the Arts. Alex will bring information about effective and successful grant writing approaches. The rest of the day will be jammed full of handson workshops, informational sessions, and a surprise or two. Cap off your evening with the AAEA Awards Banquet dinner in
the hotel’s Tequa Room. Saturday Our special speaker for Saturday is internationally renowned arts educator and author, Dr. Terry Barrett. Books written by Dr. Barrett include Making Art: Form and Meaning and Talking about Student Art. You’re sure to enjoy Dr. Barrett’s engaging talk. Bring your books for Dr. Barrett to sign! The rest of Saturday will be filled with handson workshops, informational sessions, and surprises. Don’t forget …the Professional Development Scholarship Raffle from 4:30 6pm. Sunday After a weekend of workshops, relax and reflect upon the conference. What did you learn? What else would you like to know? How can the conference improve for next year? We invite all members who wish to stay for a debriefing session for the early stages of preparing for next years conference
Meet t he Conference Committee Pam Stephens Elisa Wiedeman Michelle Lindsay Kelly Martin Pat Burdette Lynn Alison McGavack Gretchen Boyer Erin Gooch Kelly Woodruff Roxie May Debbi Engbring Travis Waldron Wendy Pleake Tracy Perry Joolz Young Sam Swail Angie Watts Wendy Pleake Emily Gabeldon Lynn Cook Bev Robb Debbie Hammer Jessica Soifer Devin Smith
Conference Co足Chair Support Services Conference Co足Chair Support Services Schedules and Forms Registrar and Room @ the Inn Check in Table Check in Table Check in Table Vendors Awards and Slide Shows Awards and Slide Shows Merchandise Folders Technology Technology Volunteer Coordinator Merchandise Name Tags PDSF Baskets PDSF Ticket Sales Mask Making Activity Mask Making Activity ATC Activity
Trolley Ride Arrive early to conference on Thursday and take a trolley ride from 2pm to 4pm! Take this twohour tour at the AAEA discounted rate of $20. You will see sights like the Chapel of the Holy Cross and West Sedona, with plenty photo opportunities at Dry Creek Road and Boynton Canyon. If you want to take advantage of our AAEA rate, please sign up now! There is a minimum of 30 passengers needed to ride. Please make sure to bring you printed confirmation letter, as it will act as your ticket. Elisa Weideman will meet all confirmed passengers in the Sedona Hilton lobby at 1:45pm, November 21st. For more information about Sedona Trolleys please visit their website at www.sedonatrolley.com, or call (928)2824211.
During your stay at the Sedona Hilton, take a more rustic adventure with Pink Jeep Tour. Pink Jeep is offering a 10% discount off of any tour when you mention ‘AAEA’ upon booking over the phone or online. For over 50 years, Pink Jeeps have been exploring the beauty of Arizona landscapes. They offer tours of the Red Rocks, the Grand Canyon, and everything in between. You can deepen your love of art history on their Ancient Ruins Ride and Rock Art Expedition Tour, or get a real Old West experience on their Wrangler Round Up Jeep & Horseback Cobo Tour. They have something for everyone!
To book over the phone, please call (928)2825000, and to book online, visit www.pinkjeep.com. For more information about Pink Jeep and their tours, please visit http://pinkjeeptours.com/sedona/ Remember, all volunteers, early registered attendees, and presenters will recieve a raffel ticket for a grand prize drawing basket which includes a FREE Pink Jeep Tour.
Pink Jeep Tour
Professional Development Scholarship Fund These are the dates for collection left this year:
Professional Development Scholarship Fund
Throughout the year there are many opportunities for you to increase your content knowledge. Sign up for a regional AAEA workshop or check out the local museum for workshop opportunities. The purpose of the Professional Development Scholarship Fund (PDSF) is to provide funding in whole or part for an active AAEA member for the purpose of: •Further study in Art Education (tuition) •Attendance and participation at a convention, conference, workshop, seminar, etc., dealing with Art Education (travel, and/or registration) •Attendance and participation in leadership workshop/seminar which provides leadership training (travel and/or registration) One of the ways that we are able to offer these funds is through our Annual Conference PDSF Raffle. Please consider collecting all of your excess, unwanted, and gently used art materials, tools, and supplies and donating it for us to repurpose this year. These items are so helpful to others and allow all of us to make use of those items we no longer use or need. One of our members graciously hosts the collection site and offers these dates for you to bring your donations for us to process and make ready for conference in Sedona this year.
August 10 – drop off Sept 14 – drop off in connection with conference meeting Sept 28 – help to organize the stuff into themed baskets. October 12 – last drop off and final basket making Contact Lynn Cook to arrange the best possible time to take her these items, and to get the drop off address. Please call at (602)350-2113.
There will also be a 50/50 raffle that will be taking place at the conference, also. At the end of each day we will be picking a ticket out of the hat and the person who gets picked will win half of the pot and the other half will go to the Professional Development Scholarship Fund.
Tickets sell for 1 for $1.00 or 6 for $5.00 for both Raffles! Good luck!!
Conference Et iquette Do's and Don'ts for a Professional Environment
As art educators, we look forward to Conference every year for the professional relationships we build and the important, inspiring things we learn. We are striving to make each more enriching and professionally minded than the one before it, and to help us accomplish this, please review our list of do's and don'ts.
Please Do:
Please Don't:
•Wear your name tag. •Enjoy our meal functions and use that time to get to know other educators! •Attend the workshops you've signed up for and arrive early so you can be checked off on the roster. •Think about appropriate behaviors you enjoy as you are teaching and presenting. •Keep conversations to a minimum during presentations, and make sure to silence all phones and noise makers. Participants have paid for these presentations and deserve the respect to participate fully focused. •Show empathy for your presenters efforts and show them the utmost respect. •Stay for whole session as it is impolite to walk away from a presenter. •Only enter workshops if you are registered for it. If you'd like to take a workshop that you are not registered for, please consider taking it when it is offered again at a following conference – you will be asked which workshops you'd like repeated in our surveys. •Please introduce yourselves and help make it a productive and enjoyable experience for everyone
•Take more than your share of supplies as there is a limited amount, determined by registration. All presenters bring just enough supplies for their group, so again, please only attend the workshops you've signed up for. •Ask presenters to sign certificates for hours, but rather see our designated chair person. •Assume it is permitted to photograph during a presentation. Make sure to ask your presenter first. Children are not allowed in workshops or vendor areas. We love children, but we are here for professional development as educators. Your colleagues pay for the experience, so please be considerate.
While at Conference
Things to do and see while at Conference in Sedona.
Shopping
Dining
Hiking
The Sedona Trolley
Sedona is great for shopping. Visit
We suggestions Cucina Rustica, Blue
Take a twohour tour Thursday at the
Bell Rock offers beautiful views and
Hillside, Tlaqapaque, Piñon Pointe,
Moon, Minami, Maria’s, Senior Bob’s,
AAEA discounted rate of $20. See the
trails for beginners to experts. Broken
Hozho, Uptown, and West Sedona for
Javelina Cantina, Shugrue’s, or Elote.
Chapel of the Holy Cross, West
Arrow offers a more rigorous and
shops and oddities.
In West Sedona, try Café Jose, Plaza
Sedona, with plenty photo
remote trail. Make sure to get parking
Bonita, Heartline Café, Red Planet
opportunities on Dry Creek Road and
passes at the cash only machines at
Diner, or Pizza Picazzo.
Boynton Canyon.
the trail heads!
Map of t he Sedona Hilt on
All About You Our goal each year is to provide a professional development experience for art educators that is meaningful and as relevant and enjoyable as we can make it. Here are just a few resources and member advantages that help us do just that. 2013 Workshop Reimbursal Did you know that if you are a hands on workshop presenter at conference, the AAEA will reimburse you up to $100 for consumables used by the participants? All you have to do is fill the form online at www.azarted.org/presenter, attach your physical receipts, and send them to LynnAlison McGavack at: 12855 W Orange Dr. Litchfield Park, AZ 85340 2014 Conference Presenter Proposal forms. If you are interested in leading a hands足on workshop or best practices lecture, you can find the proposal form at www.azarted.org/presenter足proposals. After you submit your proposal form, you will receive an email asking you for a 5 step process write up with high resolution images.
Conference Surveys In conferences past we have offered our attendees a paper survey asking them about their conference experiences. This year we will be hosting those surveys online for your convenience. Look for the computers at the registration table to fill them out on site. We really appreciate your feedback and take it very seriously. After all, this is all about you!
The workshops for Friday, November 22, 2013 Hands On from 9:10 11:00
Purposeful Printmaking: Sharing Your Voice Through Art with Tracy Perry for all levels. Come transform a theme you are passionate about into a series of prints. Come explore how artists have used the printmaking method as their voice throughout time. Experiment a variety of printing techniques at various stations and create a print series.
Storyteller Dolls with Jane Peterson for middle and high school levels. This hands on workshop focuses on the history and importance of Storyteller dolls in the Native American culture. Participants will build their own storyteller dolls using traditional hand building techniques and receive a complete lesson plan.
Science and Still Lifes with Kelly Martin for the middle school level. This still life project starts with learning about scientific field journals and the commonalities and differences between still life drawings and scientific field journals.
More than a Still Life with Barbara Townsley for the elementary level. This starts with primary color bubble prints, throw in some symmetry, then ext you practice paper weaving. The culminating collage still life has a tablecloth, a vase of flowers, and optional fruit. The final touch is to shade the edges of the vase for a more threedimensional feel.
Mixing Mixed Media with Toni Bigelow for the high school level. This workshop will provide the opportunity for experimentation with various media, using watercolor resist and oil and water techniques with various grounds and tools. Each participant will go home with at least 23 examples of media for their future use.
A Hunting We Will Go with Mary Ambrose for middle school. How to make a memory box that Joseph Cornell would be proud of and along the way explore the works of Cornell and Lucas Samaras, describe their use of symbols and objects that signify meaning and identity.
Lover’s Eyes, Mysterious Miniature Portraits with Pat Burdette for all levels. Begun by a royal secret love, eye portraits were the fashion in the 18th century. Is a portrait of your eye enough to identify you? Students create a value study of their eye, which is then attached to the top of a tin or pin, and embellished symmetrically with jewels and trinkets. It starts with a great story and ends with a great lesson.
Visual Journaling and Bookbinding with Barbara Bergstrom for the high school level. Construct your own Visual Journal using the technique of traditional Coptic bookbinding. Ideas for content will be shared including 2D visual entries and considerations for writing. Participants in this workshop walk away with a handmade journal and a handout regarding ways to engage students in the reflective process of visual journaling.
Sock Buddies with Elisabeth Monsma for junior high levels. Create your very own Sock Buddy using a colorful kneehigh sock and one childsize sock. Learn to cut, sew, stuff a body, embroider a face and attach arms. Participants will master a variety of stitch techniques. Please bring a pair of colorful crewstyle socks the zanier the better!
Friday Best Practices Lectures 11:1012:10
Write Competitive Grants with Alex Nelson for all levels. This interactive workshop will examine the characteristics of winning proposals and provide information on grant opportunities from the Arizona Commission on the Arts.
Taiwanese Undergraduate Students' Digital Stories from Second Life: Existential Concerns with Dr. Mary Stokrocki for high school levels. In order to promote cultural understanding, I was curious to discover how Taiwanese students would present their digital story ideas from the virtual world of Second Life.
Incorporate the Common Core with Inquiry with Mary Erickson, Michelle NicholsDock, Jasen Evoy, and Karla Primosch for all levels.The Tempe Center for the Arts' online curriculum offers free, readyto printout worksheets your students can use to develop Common Core skills as they reflect on artworks.
Fostering Academically Productive Talk that supports the Common Core State Standards through Discussions of Fine Art Images with Barbara Place for all levels. This presentation presents clear checklists and strategies for helping to foster academically productive talk and discussions in the art classrooms.
Teaching Art for Global Understanding and Engagement with Glenda K. Folk and Professor Gray Sweeney for the high school level. Students in an inner city high school analyzed scientific and sociopolitical patterns found within global ecologies.
Teaching in 21st Century Museums with Rory O'Neill Schmitt for all levels. This dissertation research study uncovers how art museum institutions teach the public about art.
Writing Through Art at the Art Museum with Chelsea Farrar for all levels. Presentation will discuss how works of visual art can be used to inspire writing with students in the classroom.
Super Session: Common Core, Surviving or Thriving with Dr. Gretchen A. Boyer and Bettie Lake for all levels. Why should you not ignore Common Core? What aspects of Common Core can you use to promote your art program that may only require a slight twist in your day?
The Other White Cube: The Curatorial Dimensions of Refrigerator Displays with Stuart Robinson for all levels. The Other White Cube Project explores one venue on which many people gather, arrange, and share their collections on the refrigerator.
Friday Hands on Workshops 1:403:30
Sculpting with Fiber Clay with Joanie Wolter for all levels. You will learn the techniques of building clay sculptures using simple armatures and the use of inexpensive mediums to finish each piece so that it looks like bronze.
Whooo knew Clay could be such a HOOT? with Linda McLendon and Stacia McCann. This is a lesson for taking students from 2D to 3D art with owls.
A Horse of a Different Pattern with Terri Mickelson and Edith Kent for junior high levels. Tying into literature, make Debra Butterfield style horse sculptures. Decorate with stamps, beads, leather, and raffia. Students will also learn the cultural significance of the horse as a symbol.
The Accordion Book and the Illuminated Manuscript Tie Dye Fun with Debbi Engbrig for all levels. In just with Roxie May for all levels. Participants will create 5 easy steps, you can create wondrous patterns an accordion book using inexpensive and/or and unique designs to show off at any event! repurposed materials.
Paper Pulp Magic with Margaret Gentry for elementary school levels. Learn the secret of a fun recycle project using newspaper! Learn to use paper pulp as a sculpture media.
Zentangle Basics with Sherri Lee, CZT for all levels. Zentangle is an easytolearn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns
Shattered Image with Kim Lincoln for high school leels. This is a successful lesson that guarantees polished skills in blended shading techniques, contrast, and value when they are done.
Art Criticism: Learning to Describe with Ellen Z. Salov for all levels. Participants will engage in a lesson that provides students with an active way of understanding how powerful their words are.
The workshops for Saturday, November 23, 2013 Hands On from 8:30 足 10:20
Cantrell Inspired Masks with Micki Anderson for all levels. Learn about the Contemporary African足 American Artist Kimmy Cantrell and create a cubist style mask using cardboard, recycled and found materials.
Get Ahead with Clay with Debbie Hammer for high school. This presentation covers a 2 week unit that teaches students how to make a 6" bust.
Blind Contour Self Portrait with Pastel with Stacy Marko for middle school and high school levels. Using sharpies, we will do multiple views of ourselves, overlapping, filling a paper.
Get Tangled with Erin and Elisa: Meditative Drawing in the Classroom with Erin Gooch and Elisa Wiedeman for high school levels. This presentation will focus on the meditative art of Zentangle.
The Art of Illumination with Angie Watts for junior high levels. This lesson incorporates social studies and the art history of Medieval Western Europe as students create a symbolic interpretation of themselves into an initial letter using a variety of media.
Weaving Made Easy on a Chinet Plate with Maripat Kudray足Flores for all levels. Weaving Made Easy on Chinet Plates, no box looms to collect and store.
Monoprinting with Gelli Arts with Michelle Lindsay and Chelsea Shinker for all levels. We love gelatin printing and we've developed a better way to do it!
Champion Creatively Alive Children: How Art Helps Develop 21st Century Skills with Linda Parzych and Crayola. Explore what creativity means, how art builds 21st Century Skills and increases student engagement.
Marker Color Study with Emily Gabaldon for all levels. Using water足based markers and a simple objects student will create a simple color study. This can be easily used as a specific color scheme study, an introduction to water media or contour drawing.
Saturday
Hands on Workshops 12:30足2:20 I
Alternatie Photo Process: Sun Prints, Negative Creations with Amber Wallace for all levels. Instructor will demonstrate the most basic ways of creating sun prints to the most advanced.
t's Called a 30 Minute Teapot with Karen Hiller for the high school level. In this workshop, participants will use the slab technique to create a teapot.
Create my Story with Connie Ferguson, Beth Rolfe, and Katie Giroux for all levels. Your principal wants your students to write in your art classes. What do you do? Three teachers share their lessons that combine writing, technology, and traditional art making.
Abstract Collage and Emphasis with LynnAlison McGavack for all levels. Participants will be briefly introduced to emphasis and given a number of different items to use while making a collage that demonstrates at least three or more ways to show emphasis.
Alternatives to Glazing with Stacia McCann for elementary levels. Participants will learn three techniques used to color bisque ware that don't include glaze.
Fishy Business & Kaleidoscope with K Shelton and Mayco for all levels. Without using a brush, create intricate illustrations with bold lines and symmetrical shapes and patterns using multiple glazes.
Teaching Culture Through Puppetry with Nancy Wilkinson for elementary levels. In this session, teachers will receive handouts on puppets, see puppets from around the world and create their own.
Cars, CArs, CARs, CARS with Jessica Davis for all levels. You will learn how to dissect a toilet paper roll and transform it into a fabulous showpiece
Wonderful Weaving with Hillary Andrelchik for all levels. Come and learn some basic weaving techniques that can be used with students from elementary to high school!
Hands on Workshops 2:304:20
Complimentary Personal Shrines with Pat Burdette for elementary levels. Create a complimentary personal shrine while exploring complimentary colors.
Tree of Life ala Klee with Elisabeth Monsma and Barbara Faltico for junior high levels. Inspired by the abstract works of Paul Klee, create a tree of life that incorporates symbols and demonstrates balance.
Fun Fall Drawing: Variations on a Theme with Glenda K. Folk for high school levels. Non threatening and cognitively challenging drawing strategy to diagnose students' visual acuity and skill levels
Visual Journal with Travis Waldron and Debbi Engbring for high school levels. In this handson workshop you will participate in transforming the everyday sketchbook into a Visual Journal.
Under the Sea: Illuminated Sea Life Sculpture Inspired by Chinese FIsh Lanterns with Joolz FernandezYonge for all levels. This workshop focuses on using an openended sculpture project to strengthen problemsolving skills while supporting the common core curriculum.
2 Squared + Change = Art with Camille Mardis for all levels. Learn about and how to create beautiful Notan squares with your students.
Vik Muniz and Assemblage Art with Candace Greene for junior high levels. After students study Vik Muniz and check out the documentary “Wasteland”, students discuss how art can be used to help improve communities and individuals lives.
Huichol Yarn Painting with Lonni Himmelstein for elementary levels. We will learn how the Huichol Indians created their works of art by reading a special Huichol story.
Feeling Stitchy with Hillary Andrelchik for all levels. In this handson workshop we will explore the basics of embroidery and other fiber based embellishment techniques while discussing fibers' diverse history.
Regional Map
Summer at the Museum
Allison Seltzer, Program Specialist for School Programs at Phoenix Art Museum with Museum Educators to connect gaming to the visual arts and across curriculum. A $35 registration fee includes light morning refreshments, lunch, educator Q: Do children and families visit the Museum during the summer? resources and 6 A: Yes! The Museum is always a cool 72°, making it the perfect clock hours. Register online now: summer activity for families. This year we have had incredible attendance to our summer exhibition The Art of Video Games, which www.phxart.org/education/eduators/professionaldevelopment. showcases the 40year evolution of video games on home consoles. Q: What programs are Museum Educators planning over the I have seen parents and children visiting the exhibition together summer? teaching each other about their favorite video games and taking advantage of unique intergenerational gaming experiences. Even if A: We offer several programs throughout the school year incorporating themes around special exhibitions, the Museum’s you are not a gamer, I strongly encourage you to view this extraordinary exhibition and learn more about the impact of gaming collection, arts integration, art education trends, Common Core at our Saturday Professional Development Workshop for educators standards and state standards. Educators from all grade levels and on September 7 from 9am – 3pm. Teachers will discover why games disciplines are welcome to join Wednesday evening Arts Integration & Appetizers events and Saturday Professional Development are successful tools for teaching, explore the exhibition and work Workshops. Please visit our website for additional information about all upcoming Professional Development sessions at www.phxart.org/education/educators/professionaldevelopment. Summer is over and the school year has begun as Phoenix Art Museum welcomes back students and teachers! Many may be surprised to learn that Museum Educators do not share summer break with classroom educators. In fact, we’re working the summer days away, leading many to wonder – what do Museum Educators do over the summer while students and teachers are on break? What is the Museum like during the summer when school is out of session? Allow me to provide a small glimpse into summer at Phoenix Art Museum and answer some frequently asked questions!
Summer is the best time for the Museum to plan events and programs for the new school year. The annual Educator Open House on Wednesday, August 21 from 5 – 8pm kicks off our schedule of educator opportunities. This FREE event celebrates the start of a new school year with educator resources, Docent tours, gallery talks with Assistant Curators, light refreshments and information booths from several arts organizations including representatives from Arizona Art Education Association, Arizona Commission on the Arts, ASU’s Center for Games & Impact, Heard Museum, Phoenix Center for the Arts and Phoenix Theatre. Please send your RSVP to Education@phxart.org if you can join!
Phoenix Art Museum will also host Art Masterpiece Training on Saturday, September 28 from 9am – 3:30pm. This one day workshop is ideal for Art Masterpiece volunteers who are new to the program or looking for fresh ideas on how to discuss art with young children! Training costs $25 and requires online registration at www.phxart.org/education/educators/teachingresources.
www.phxart.org/education/educators/bookaprogram.
Not only are we developing events for educators during the summer, we also meet and work with teachers from partner schools to plan programs for students. For the past 3 years Phoenix Art Museum has created new programs and closely collaborated with several schools in Isaac Elementary School District #5, Paradise Valley School District, Phoenix Unified High School District, and Peoria Unified School District. While partnering with specific schools and teachers we have been able to pilot a new tour, the StudentDirected Visit, and implement Museum Prep Presentations for classrooms, which can help prepare students for their Museum visit. Our newest pilot program provides schoolbased learning opportunities at the Museum for families and/or student parent pairs. For more information about any of these pilot programs or if you are interested in collaborating or partnering with Phoenix Art Museum to foster schoolbased learning or studentparent experiences, please contact us at Education@phxart.org.
Museum Docents provide Guided Tours of our permanent collection and most special exhibitions throughout the school year, we ask for 5 weeks advance notice to book a Guided Tour. School groups can also reserve dates for Self Guided Tours when booked 2 weeks in advance that allow teachers, instead of Docents, to guide students through the Museum. Admission waivers for Guided or SelfGuided Tours are available for Title I schools and we can provide bus reimbursements (while funds allow). Reserve a date for your field trip online at www.phxart.org/education/educators/ bookaprogram.
We will have several other special exhibitions during the 20132014 school year that students will enjoy. For more information about all upcoming exhibitions visit us online at www.phxart.org/exhibition/upcoming.
Q: What are Museum Educators looking forward to in the 20132014 school year? A: The new Common Core Standards promise exciting changes for the visual arts, and we are looking forward to promoting standards across the curriculum through the arts! Our retooled school tours and outreach programs incorporate Common Core Standards. Many of our Wednesday Arts Integration & Appetizer events will highlight strategies for using Common Core Q: What can students see at the Museum this school year? with the visual arts from close observation and questioning skills, to A: From the annual West Select opening winter 2013 to the highly writing and discussing artwork. anticipated Hollywood Costume opening spring 2014 – a visit to I hope this sneak peek into summer at Phoenix Art Museum Phoenix Art Museum can provide an educational and engaging sparked your interest and inspires a visit! I look forward to experience for students outside the classroom. This year is fondly welcoming you and your students to the Museum! If you have any referred to as “the year of fashion” with our major exhibition questions about our programs please contact us at Hollywood Costume, March 26 – July 6, 2014, celebrating more than Education@phxart.org. 100 years of cinema storytelling. This multimedia exhibition allows students to view costumes from famous films while exploring costume design as a key component of storytelling in film. This will be a rare opportunity to see clothes worn by unforgettable characters from movies such as The Wizard of Oz, Superman, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Dark Knight Rises and many more. Tours available for grades 4 – 12. Special visit times and prices apply. SchoolGroup Tour reservations will open online on September 23, 2013 here:
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How to Throw a Task Parties are a wonderful way to help students and adults alike to let down their guard, tear down their personal artistic boundaries, and be unapologetically, uninhibitedly, and beautifully creative. The term “Task Party” was coined by artist Oliver Herring, and is meant to be a vehicle for self expression. Task Parties typically have several structures in place. •A designated art area full of supplies, like paint, plastic bottles, glue, cardboard, anything really. •A “Task Pool” from which you pull a task. In some sort of bucket or box are all sorts of prompts, such as “make a dinosaur”, “paint your mind”, “make a living sculpture”. These prompts, or “tasks” are then interpreted however the artist sees fit and made into a reality. Once a task is drawn, you replace it with a new task of your own. Herring developed the Task Party in such a way that “TASK’s openended, participatory structure creates almost unlimited opportunities for a group of people to interact with one another and their environment. TASKs’ flow and momentum depend on the tasks written and interpreted by it’s participants. In theory anything becomes possible.” 1 Task Parties are ideal for students of all grade levels. Give it a try in your own classroom and watch your students flourish! For more information on Task Parties, visit Herring's website at http://oliverherringtask.wordpress.com.
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2012 AAEA Awards Outstanding members of the AAEA
We can all agree that involvement in the world of art education is possibly the most rewarding and challenging experience of our professional lives. Our world is one where teach creativity, inspire the heart and mind, expose others to a world of limitless possibilities, and participate in the beauty of human experience. What we do is the center piece of a rounded and meaningful education not that we're biased. Each year we work hard both day and night to create the most nurturing and fulfilling experience in the arts for our students, and your hard work does not go unnoticed. The AAEA recognizes our outstanding educators, advocates, and contributors through a series of distinguished awards. For more information about our awards and how to nominate, please visit our website at www.http://azarted.org/awards. Distinguished Service Award Connie Whitlock I am an artist with a passion for clay. Inspiration for my work comes from an inner philosophy that ‘Life is good—be happy!' I am a Surprise, AZ clay and mural artist with 13 years’ experience in creating art, teaching art and promoting art. Skills and energy reach from a background of qualifications in a 15 year career as a general manager of an electronics distributorship in Southern California. Being raised on a farm in the Midwest gave me the basic love of working with my hands and creating something from the earth which later became a source for my work in both content and subject. Natural forms of nature often become the "voices" and emotions of important events and have become part of a personal visual dialogue expressing pleasure, peace, love, nature’s simplicity, and joy in my work. Generally, I relate to realistic forms, however, my abstract work allows me the freedom to convey total emotional expression. Original carvings and textures applied to my work provide a synergy that compliments the designs of each piece. My styles; whether wheel thrown, coiled, or handbuilt, range from realism, contemporary, abstract, to whimsical. Recently, I have had the opportunity to design and create a number of, sitespecific, ‘Public Art’ tile murals. My work covers a wide range of materials and imagery designed specifically for the unique requirements of each undertaking. The scale of my work varies greatly. I prefer a handson approach when it comes to the creation of my work and often encourage the community to participate in the actual construction of the mural. Though not a certified classroom teacher, I love teaching young people as well as adults to express themselves through clay. I have been instructing the design and development of wheel throwing for beginners through advanced students for several years. Yes, 7,8 and 9 years can learn to throw pottery! I also teach hand building and glazing techniques. I’m proud to see my students develop a sense of accomplishment and pride in their work, which builds selfconfidence and leads to a more positive life.
2012 AAEA Awards
Arizona Art Educator of the Year – Connie Ferguson
I have been an art educator for 27 years. I started my teaching career in Wisconsin, teaching 21 years at the middle and high school level in Monroe. Leaving the dairy farm behind, I convinced my husband and son to live full time in Arizona so that I could be closer to my first grandchild. Since then my daughter and her husband have blessed us with another, this time a grandson. The past seven years, I have been a part of the Dysart Unified School District in the role of Fine Arts Coordinator and Riverview Elementary art teacher. As Fine Arts Coordinator, I worked with K12 Fine Arts teachers of Dysart on program development and curriculum as well as many other aspects of overseeing the district Arts. The pride and satisfaction of teaching the students at Riverview is a life joy that I am glad I didn’t miss. Students at Riverview Elementary exhibit quality work in school but also in our Dysart district events as well as El Mirage and Surprise events and venues. I would describe my classroom as having energy charged atmosphere, risktaking opportunities, high expectations and most of all passion for the arts. This year, I became involved with our video announcements and have developed a team of students for our school video productions. This opportunity has given me my outlet for my obsession for technology and its integration into the arts. Recently, I have been working with the Maricopa County Education Service Agency to develop Visual Arts Assessments. I have a Bachelors of Science in Art Education from the University of Wisconsin, Platteville, Masters of Art Education from Truman University, Kirksville, MO, Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of Phoenix, and National Board Certification, Adolescent and Young Adult Art 2003, I have three education licenses, Master Teacher Art Wisconsin, K12 Art Arizona and Principal Arizona.
First Year Professional Art Educator Award Rochelle M. Garcia “You have noticed that everything an Indian does is in a circle and this is because the Power of the World always works in circles and everything tries to be round. The flowering tree was the living center of the hoop, and the circle or the four quarters nourished it.” Lakota medicine man, Black Elk My belief that the circle is life and teaching through art brings life to fruition and gives it meaning and fulfillment. My conviction is that art enriches and brings accomplishment to all students through advancement of knowledge. The classroom to me becomes a safe haven for learning and with freedom to succeed and a safety net for setbacks or letdowns. By having small groups with a handson approach, an environment for effortless risk taking, and giving students the independence to find their way will help them develop critical thinking and reading skills to assist in expanding their knowledge of different cultures, people and history, so they may better appreciate our differences and embrace our likenesses. Teaching and especially teaching art became a passion and focus when I experienced student teaching while in high school. Classrooms were comprised of fourth, fifth, and sixth graders who\ showed me what it meant to inspire, encourage, motivate and stir young minds as I taught them each day. The intrinsic value I receive by teaching and being taught by my students is an achievement I take away each day. The circle becomes complete.
2012 AAEA Awards
Higher Education Student Achievement Award – Katharine Lemcke
“The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country.” ~Abraham Lincoln Education is one of the most important gifts that we can give to a child. We must invest in the youth of our community through quality education and a diversity of experiences. My classroom is an environment for children to get excited about learning in all facets, which creates a desire to become life long learners. Managing students will be accomplished with a “Choose Your Attitude” approach, based upon the Fish Philosophies, to encourage ownership and engagement in students. The world is an everevolving organism; we must look at how we can adapt instructional techniques with the changes of society. The more knowledge a student has in a diversity of subjects makes them critical thinkers and thoughtful decision makers. The combination of classroom instruction and real world applicability can generate both extrinsic and intrinsic motivations for students in their pursuit of knowledge and success throughout their development. I am excited to be a part of a classroom and learn about the world that my students are living in. This will increase the diversity of my experiences and these opportunities that will help me to continually redevelop student instruction, my educational philosophy and my zest for learning through servant leadership.
Emerging Leadership Award – Travis Waldron I believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, I follow the admonition of PaulI believe all things, I hope all things, I have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, I seek after these things. “13th Article of Faith” Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you. “Saint Augustine” We as living beings are all connected and have an obligation and privilege to nurture and teach each other. The road to becoming an art teacher has been long and rewarding. First and most importantly, I have been blessed with a wonderful and supportive family. My parents, siblings, partner, and friends have always sacrificed for me and sustained me with love and acceptance. In 1990 I began my career at Agua Fria High School as a Special Education Paraprofessional. Some of my duties included lunch cashier, bus aide and even bathing students on occasion. The students faced many difficult challenges, but they were perfect in my eyes just as they were. I also had the opportunity to observe master teachers who imparted their wisdom. Meanwhile, I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Arizona State University in Spanish Literature with an emphasis in Latin American Studies. I then began teaching Spanish and coaching tennis, badminton and volleyball. I also began my love/hate relationship with Career Ladder. Admittedly, Career Ladder has made me a better teacher. As a Spanish teacher I employed a million different teaching strategies. Total Physical Response Storytelling was at the head of the arsenal of strategies. As a coach I was fortunate to have very successful teams. In 2005, I wanted to move in a new direction with my career. I went back to night school and earned an art endorsement. In 2008, I was hired at Verrado High School to teach art. My entire life I have had a passion for the arts so being able to be an art teacher has been personally and professionally rewarding. I have never worked harder and have been able to make a connection with students like no other time in my career. I can honestly say that my “job” is not a chore, it has become a part of who I am and I’m extremely grateful. I incessantly strive to be a better human being each day and I endeavor for the same as a teacher.
2012 AAEA Awards
Elementary Art Educator of the Year Nicole Nixon
Hello! My name is Nicole Nixon and I am a mother, wife, art educator, daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt and friend. I was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, but have spent most of my life in sunny Tucson, Arizona. I graduated from the University of Arizona, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Art Education, with an emphasis in photography and painting. This is my seventh year teaching Visual Arts at Manzanita Elementary School in the Catalina Foothills School District, and I have 654 amazing art students! My childhood was filled with art, and my parents fostered and encouraged my love for drawing and painting from an early age. I grew up riding horses, making art, playing sports, and boating on Roosevelt Lake. In 2008, I married my best friend, Ryan. Several years later, in 2011, we had a beautiful little girl named Ella. She has enriched our lives and filled our home with so much love and happiness. When I am not teaching, I enjoy hiking and camping with my family, which includes our very energetic yellow labs, Mazzy and Sierra. I love road trips, music, all things art, teaching art, quaint little towns, the forest, and the ocean. I am very fortunate to be an educator in a school and district that values the arts. As I’m sure you all agree, an art education is one of the most valuable aspects in a wellrounded education. The arts are invaluable in promoting students to become life long learners, and knowledgeable individuals equipped with twenty first century skills. I have formed my art program to encompass the lies and work of artists, cultures form around the world, art terms, and studio production. I could not imagine a more rewarding, fulfilling, and amazing job than teaching Art!
Middle Level Art Educator of the Year – Tracy Perry Create. Relate. Evaluate. They may be the standards Art teachers live by, but throughout my life they have been a part of what I do, what I see, and how I think. Diverse experiences have made me the art teacher I am today and I am grateful to share my journey. It started at the Hartford Art School in Connecticut. My major was Experimental Studio and my minor was Art History. I explored and created art with almost every media, method and technique including drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture. I witnessed the past and the present through the eyes of various artists (relate). My ideas were challenged with each lecture or exchange of ideas (evaluate). This was an amazing culture that valued the process, making, and sharing of art. However, it was coming to an end. Without a clear direction, I tried to gain knowledge outside the classroom. As a Marketing Assistant at a theater company, I learned attention to detail is key and a clear, well composed poster can fill seats. As a picture framer I learned the importance of fractions, the color and texture of a mat and frame can enhance any work of art, and to listen to the customer. As an Activity Director and Activity Assistant for the elderly, I learned to appreciate the past, always respect a person’s quality of life, and there is a lot to learn when you take the time to listen. As a preschool teacher, I learned to appreciate the present, to talk to the child at their level, and the importance of play. In the midst of these learning opportunities, I moved to Arizona with my parents and married a supportive man. I also made the decision to combine my interest and experience in art and passion for helping others and received my teaching certificate in Art Education. For the past 11 years, I have taught art in three different districts for grades kindergarten through 8th grade. I am grateful to call Fountain Hills Middle School my home school where 4th to 8th graders teach me just as much as I teach them. In addition to teaching drawing, painting sculpture, ceramics and intro to art, I share my design and photography skills with students in Yearbook Club. I enjoy collaborating with other teachers by enriching both our curriculum with art, researching new lesson ideas, and most of all witnessing the “ah ha” moments, when a student makes a new discovery or accepts a mistake as a new beginning. I am thankful for the journey to my art room since every day I look forward to inspiring and helping my students create, relate, and evaluate.
2012 AAEA Awards
J, Eugene Grigsby Jr. Award – Judith Mariahazy
“Hey, mom, that’s my teacher, Miss. Judy”, excitedly shrieked the little boy in the grocery store. I was a sophomore in High School and as a member of “The Future Teachers of America Club”, trudged through the snow drifts to volunteer at the elementary school a block away. “His teacher”, he said and I was hooked! Unfortunately, the dramas of life in the 70’s, which I will not go into, got in the way, and I was unable to immediately pursue the higher education needed to become a teacher. My life changed in 1986 when I enrolled into the Art Education program at ASU, walked into Dr. Bernard Young’s class and joined GDAT, (Give a Damn Art Teachers), of which I later became president. GDAT was the student group founded by Dr. Eugene Grigsby and of which he stayed involved despite his retirement the year prior. These two professors, who I, luckily, met early in my undergrad program, have influenced me and guided my educational philosophy, embracing and honoring cultural and ethnic diversity, in college and throughout my career. In the summer of 1992, I returned to the United States after two years of traveling through the villages and artists’ communities of Mexico. 1 day prior to the start of the fall semester, I was hired as the Photography teacher at Central High School, Phoenix Union HS District’s Magnet school for International Studies. I was ecstatic to have been hired for my dream job! The International program, as well as our very large refugee population filled my classroom with students from around the world. After 21 years, in the same room and teaching the same course, I still feel the same!
Secondary Art Educator of the Year – Karen Cunningham I believe, as quoted from Albert Einstein, “Imagination is more important than knowledge”. I know children can grow, learn and experience joy through the process of creating art. Every day in my classroom studio I witness students discovering new ways to broaden their thinking and I guide as they accomplish things they never thought they were capable of doing through art making. This is my eighth year teaching in Arizona but have seventeen years teaching experience having taught in China, Italy and the Republic of the Philippines. I possess a Master of Fine Arts and Graduate Teaching Certificate (GTC for Master of Education in K12 arts,), as well as three additional undergraduate degrees. I’m classified as a Master Educator, having advanced placement Art Studio, Talented and Gifted and SEI endorsements. I am licensed to teach in three states. I have served our country as a Captain in the USAF and graduated from the Office of Special Investigation Academy, I was the Education Director, Grand Rapids Art Museum and a tenuretrack art professor. As an artist I have exhibited domestically and internationally, am nationally published and have a video archived with the United Nations. Currently I am the AP Studio and two ‘D’ art teacher, Gifted Coordinator and Cooking Club Sponsor at Desert Edge High School, Goodyear AZ. I embrace each day that I am privileged to share art making with my students, peers and fellow artists. I live by the words, “See with your eyes, perceive with your heart.” John 12:40
Marion Ouin Dix Leadership Award – Karen Hiller Currently employed at Seton Catholic Preparatory High School in Chandler as a part time ceramics teacher, Karen Hiller spent the previous 25 years teaching art in the Kyrene School District. In Kyrene, she participated in leadership roles at the district and site levels representing Visual Arts concerns in curriculum and assessment. Karen served on the AAEA council in various roles including the executive office of President Elect, President, and Past President between 1996 and 2002. Additionally in 2007, she facilitated an AD Hoc committee to revise our Constitution and Bylaws, as well as develop a Policy Manual to guide future leaders of AAEA. Karen has regularly presented informational and handson workshops at the state conferences in recent years. At the state level, Karen assisted the Arizona Department of Education in the development of the APEA certification exams for Visual Arts and was a member of a cadre of Visual Arts teachers in the revision of the State Standards for Visual Arts under the leadership of Lynn Tuttle. In 2004, Karen achieved National Board Certification in Early Adolescent/Young Adult Art. She earned her MA Ed. from Northern Arizona University in Secondary Education in 1994. Karen loves spending time with her family. She is married with children and grandchildren. When she’s not working, Karen enjoys the 3 R's – Rving, Reading, and Relaxing.
Why do you t each art ? Who are you as an art educator? Hello, I am Laura Abrams. I am a middle school art educator at Mount Elden Middle School in Flagstaff, Arizona. I teach 6th and 8th grade, and this will be my seventh year teaching. I received my BFA from Northern Arizona University and later returned to earn my Master’s in Education.
important (possibly even more important) than the outcome. Through the process of creating, we can have so many different and valuable learning experiences—from problem solving to a higherorder thinking and calm focused moments of enjoyment. Because of this perspective, I always encourage my students to enjoy the process and not to judge the outcome until it is totally complete. My teaching techniques focus on this concept and I strive daily to make my classroom a welcoming and positive environment for learning. Teaching, creating, and interacting with young artists is an amazing way to spend the day and I consider myself extremely lucky to have found a way to make this my career.
I was inspired as a child by my Aunt Paula, an Elementary art teacher in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She would always have amazing, engaging activities for me when I would visit. Sometimes I would even get to go to her school and visit her students. Another inspiration of mine was my Elementary teacher Mrs. Rehm. She made art inspiring and showed me it was something I could succeed at even when I struggled in other areas at school. As a young student I always knew I wanted to Laura Abrams have a career that made students feel successful and good about themselves like these women made me feel about myself. As an art teacher today, my main goal is to encourage my students to enjoy art and to have a positive, successful experience with all of our projects. I feel if students are successful with the skills they use to create art in class, they will continue to pursue art in the future. It is a rewarding feeling when a student completes a project and is impressed by the outcome. Also, class critiques are a great way to see students observe the many outcomes and solutions their peers have created. Overall I just love interacting with and teaching my students all the exciting aspects of art, from art appreciation to wild and crazy handson techniques. Personally as an artist I have always felt the process was just as
The Role of Membership On the Importance of Community and Education Resources It should come as no surprise that the process of integrating oneself into the world of education can be daunting. Like most transitional periods, it is characterized by a confusing array of emotions; one is both enthusiastic and apprehensive, self assured and yet somehow still doubtful of their ability to succeed in an environment that demands both competence and conviction. As an undergraduate Art Education major, I can attest to the fact that despite having the best training I could hope for, success in the field requires additional support systems and a connection to the community around you. The AAEA provides art educators all across Arizona with a network of likeminded individuals who inspire intelligent discussion of educational issues and keep us updated on these trends. For undergrads, involvement with the AAEA is vital because it provides one with a platform for success, whereas students who do not seek additional support systems are left with a shaky and incomplete understanding of what is expected of them as future educators. Last winter I attended the AAEA conference in Tucson Arizona, where I participated in a variety of seminars and guided activities taught by other art education teachers from Arizona. In addition, there was ample opportunity to socialize with other attendants, which often resulted in more relaxed and informal discussion of the state of education. For an undergrad that has only received academic instruction on how to teach, these more congenial conversations offer a sense of reassurance about the true nature of the career. Were it not for my membership to the AAEA I would not have been afforded the privilege of having these experiences.
Any undergrad student will tell you that they’ve had doubts about their career choice. Being an educator is not glamorous or easy.
Teachers are largely responsible for the development of youth both academically and socially. We are given young and malleable minds and are expected to mold them into well rounded people as well as motivated students. This is not an undertaking that beginning students are equipped to manage alone without access to helpful resources and a means to connect with more experienced educators. Being a member of the AAEA provides recourse for students and teachers alike by encouraging a sense of community and connectedness one might not otherwise be privy to. It is for this reason that I have come to appreciate my involvement with the NAEA, and encourage other’s to consider the benefit of participating in it as well. Undergraduate students and beginning teachers in particular can never have too many assets, and the NAEA is an especially helpful platform for the unique needs of those who are just beginning their journey into the world of education. Amy Woelber
Pre-Service educat ors at Conference. How does involvement at Conference help shape you into the educator you want to be?
It has always been my passion to teach the arts and help my students discover and learn through the wonder in art. As an art education student at Northern Arizona University, in Flagstaff, Arizona, I have been introduced to a world where my passion can become a reality. I am blessed to have had multiple opportunities that incorporate my joy of teaching with my desire to show how the arts are so important in every child’s life. Last fall, I was given the opportunity to present at the Arizona Art Educators Association State conference as a preservice educator. My professor found one of my research projects intriguing and introduced me to the conference as a way to share my ideas and find others with the same passions. I presented on preservice training compared to the realities of the classroom. Via a statewide survey, I had asked arts educators about their experiences including their undergraduate experience, student teaching experience, experience in the classroom, and experience as a cooperating teacher. What I discovered was that most of what was taught in the college setting did not match the actuality in the classroom. As educators we have been trained to handle every situation in textbook fashion, when the reality is that each child will be different, in their learning and performance in and around the classroom. Each principal will have different guidelines and each budget will fluctuate. The truth is, we need to be prepared to defend ourselves as art educators and defend our programs as something truly significant in the lives and education of our students. I was pleasantly surprised to find both preservice educators and seasoned members of the art education community in my presentation. The discussions we shared about our fears of teaching and what will be expected of us were eased by the stories from experienced teachers who had been in the same place, once scared to start their first day. As a preservice educator, it is important for me to establish connections, ask questions, and get involved in the community which will
someday be my support system. It was exhilarating to participate in these discussions as I prepare to enter the world of teaching the arts. I received praise from educators, and members of state and national committees who were all very excited that young teachers, still learning, like myself, were this excited and eager to be a part of what they deeply love. Thrilled too, that those of us who are still students want to make connections, gain experience, and continually build our huge binder, filled with lesson plans. In my experience, there is no better way to discover if teaching the arts is truly your passion than too put yourself in an environment where others share the same desire to inspire. Not only did I meet several teachers who asked me to consider student teaching with them in the future, I also learned about bigger matters that can help me post graduation as I navigate the arts education world. Some of these included information about the National Arts Education Association conference, ways to show your Principal and Superintendent that your program has value and matters, and of course, where to get the free art supplies! As I continue to explore the arts, I can honestly say that after this experience I feel more prepared for the classroom and ready to take on the role of educating future students. I have more confidence in myself as someone who has the ability to encourage, inspire, and instill a passion for the arts in students who will one day fill my own classroom.
Erin Gooch
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