Supporting Our Newest Art Educators - Monday, May 1, 2017

This past Friday I had the honor of announcing and celebrating Michigan State University's newest interns to have completed their Art Education certification. I loved working with those five ladies this past year sharing our mutual passion for teaching art as well as experiences from my twelve years doing so. It got me thinking back to my beginning years as an art educator and what a lonely road that can be. And how we can all help all of our newest art educators across the state start to feel like a valued part of our community online as well as by reaching out to those that teach nearer to us. All too often you are the only art teacher in your building. If it is a small district you might be the only art teacher at all. It can be difficult when you are first starting to out to feel comfortable seeking out those with prior experience when you need help. Sometimes you are so in it that first year or so that you have a difficult time recognizing that help is needed. It is up to those of us who've been their to help guide and support these newly certified art educators so that they can then one day turn around and do the same for future art educators.

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.

Retired Art Educator Spotlight - Claudia Burns - Monday, April 24, 2017

I'd like to introduce you to Claudia Burns!

During Claudia's twenty-three year teaching career she taught all grades but spent most of those years teaching high school art. She retired from Ann Arbor Public Schools in 2014. One of her favorite things about teaching art is "when the light of recognition goes on, when a student expresses pride in their work or when a new skill is acquired, moments of collaboration between students, hearing a student articulate their learning as they reflect back on it."

Claudia's favorite art quote:

Claudia's most memorable teaching moment:

"For years I taught a group of Aspergers guys. Their group project one semester was a chess set (clay) and board (tiles.) I remember them regularly playing chess with that set afterwards."

She's been very busy since retiring from the classroom. Claudia worked as a developer/writer for the MAEIA Project, creating model assessments for MI art teachers. She was very involved in developing an Arts Integration federal grade project with the River Rouge School District. Currently, Claudia is learning about being a painter. She is also designing and creating icons, murals and mosaics for churches in the Ann Arbor area.

Below is an acrylic painting created by Claudia. She feels that it is important to not only teach art but to also create art oneself as an art educator. This piece was part of the 53rd Annual MEA/MAEA Art Acquisitions Purchase Exhibition. 

Past Art Educator of the Year - Melissa Hronkin - Monday, April 17, 2017

I'd like to introduce you to Melissa Hronkin!

Melissa was recognized as Michigan Elementary Art Educator of the Year in 2014. She was also named the 2014 National Elementary Art Educator of the Year. She has been teaching K-5 art at Houghton Portage Elementary School in Houghton, MI for the past seven years within her eighteen year teaching career, of which sixteen have been as a full time art educator. During her career it is difficult to pin point one memorable moment so far but one that stands out was when a Kindergartner said "I know you are the art teacher because you smell like crayons." That was a pinnacle moment for her this school year.

In an article on the Minneapolis College of Art and Design website upon Melissa was said to believe that "creativity is not just about making things - it is about moving people with an idea. Her philosophy is that the arts provide the vocabulary for expression, and that is essential within a curriculum and for making sense of our ever-changing world." 

Since Melissa was awarded "Art Educator of the Year" in 2014 she's been continuing to hone her teaching skills and volunteering for MAEA. Her future plans are to teach for twelve more years, continue to work at her business with her husband (bees and mead), showcase art with her community. She went on to say, "I hope to continue to work on my own art and mindfulness in everything she do!"

Melissa's favorite art quote:

Melissa and her husband are licensed beekeepers in the Upper Peninsula running Algomah Acres Honey Farm. In 2012 she gave this TEDTalk in Marquette about bees and what we can learn from how the bee hive functions.

MAEA Conference 2017 Presentation Proposal Submissions

Whether you are a student teacher, a first year art teacher, or a well seasoned veteran you all have something wonderful to contribute to the Michigan Art Education Association Conference this fall in Detroit. Please consider submitting your presentation proposals to help make this year's art education conference one to remember as we go Retro in the Metro.

Having presented myself at past conferences I can attest to how nervous I was that first time I sent in a proposal. Would it get accepted? Did I have something to share that the conference committee thought others would want to learn about? Then it was conference time and I worried whether anyone would show up to my presentation. If anything I had prepared to share with them was something they didn't already know. Was it something they could use in their own teaching practices? However, after the blur of that presentation had come and gone I reflected on the experience of connecting with my fellow art educators in a whole new way. My presentation had morphed into a wonderful discussion about technology in the art room and we all learned so much from each other that hour. I made connections with art educators I hadn't met before. Afterward I knew one thing. I had a wealth of experiences to share with others in the field. And I wanted to continue to present when I could. So I urge you to consider presenting in Detroit next November. It's an experience you won't regret. You'll make wonderful memories by being a part of the conference in a whole new way.

PROPOSAL FORM
Due by April 30th

Take Time to Rejuvenate Your Artist Self

You've worked really hard this year and it's time to plan some time rejuvenating yourself as an artist. Many of you are on spring break this week and there are great opportunities in our great state to gain inspiration for our personal artistic endeavors and our teaching.  Let this list be a starting point and if you have any suggestions please post in the comments below.

ART MUSEUMS and EXHIBITS

Marquette, MI

Devos Art Museum

Saginaw, MI

Saginaw Art Museum - Artumentary

Alpena, MI

Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan

Detroit, MI

Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit

Detroit Institute of Art

Grand Rapids, MI

Art.Downtown - Avenue for the Arts

Grand Rapids Art Museum

GET OUT AND SKETCH/PHOTOGRAPH

Naubinway, MI

Garlyn Zoo

Munising, MI

Pictured Rocks

Hickory Corners, MI

Gilmore Car Museum

Ann Arbor, MI

Matthaei Botanical Gardens