Whether you are finishing your first year of teaching art or your thirty-fifth, everyone who has already stepped into their own classroom and begun developing or growing their art program has something worthwhile to offer those that are just starting their art education journey. I challenge you all to seek out someone new to our profession and provide whatever support you can. That may be resources you have collected over the years. Or lending an ear as they recount adventures they are encountering in the field throughout the upcoming year and beyond. It might be as simple as reassuring them that you were in their shoes once too and that with time, a good sense of humor, perhaps a glass of wine, and even shedding some tears they'll make it through not only that first year but many more to come as they continue to develop their sense of teacher self.
MSU's 2017 newly certified Art teachers
I'm truly honored to have worked directly with such talented art education students at MSU. I can't wait to see what they, and their cohorts from other colleges and universities around the state have to offer our amazing world of art education.