The WAEA conference positively affected my teaching knowledge and abilities. I learned about an interesting project idea that inspired me and made me think about other project ideas based on it. I learned more about Artsonia and how it can be used in the classroom. I learned a lot about how to effectively be an anti-racist teacher and how to teach activism along with art. I also learned about the importance of teaching monuments and how that can often lead to important discussions about current events.
The conference increased my confidence and passion for teaching. Being able to learn more skills and ideas from a wide variety of art teachers made me feel excited, as I was gaining knowledge that will help me in the classroom. The more I learn about teaching art, or even just art in general, the more passionate I feel about spreading that knowledge and my love of art to others. I didn’t have very much confidence in teaching at the beginning of the semester, but after taking ARTED-108 and after the WAEA conference, I’m beginning to gain more confidence. I’m excited to continue to learn and grow in my art education journey.
The state conference increased my desire and commitment to be an art teacher. I have had doubts about if I should become an art teacher and if I would be able to be the kind of high quality art educator the world needs. I’m sure I still will have some doubts in the future, seeing as I’m both human and a nervous person by nature, but I certainly feel more committed to becoming an art teacher after hearing other art teachers speak. I’m especially passionate about teaching diversity in conjunction with art, as the two are related and very important. Listening to the speakers in “Anti-Racist Art Teachers” gave me ideas of how to do this and inspired me even more so to teach tolerance and diversity through art and make sure BIPOC voices are heard.
Listening to art teachers talk about what they’re passionate about was very inspiring and beneficial to my mood/wellbeing as well. I felt joy at hearing from lots of people who were passionate about art and teaching art, as I understand their love of art and the desire to teach it. I felt excited and hopeful when thinking about a future career teaching art, and I was happy thinking about the fact that I will be an art teacher, too, in a few years.
I don’t really have many relationships with other art ed students or professionals. I know that that’s most likely because of Covid, making it more difficult to get to know other students in my Art Ed class, but I’m hopeful that I will be able to become closer with them soon. I do know some, luckily, and they’ve been great. I look forward to having closer relationships with other art ed students and professionals in the next few years and after college. This was something I didn’t really think about much before the WAEA conference, but hearing from art teachers from across the state--and some outside the state--made me realize how important it is to have those connections with other art teachers. They can help with ideas for lessons and may make you think about teaching something a different way. And, of course, having close connections is beneficial to mental health and wellbeing. It is also good to hear about others’ experiences teaching, as that can be helpful too.