Describe the overall impact that attending the NAEA convention had on:
Your art teaching knowledge and/or abilities?
When thinking about the knowledge that I have gained by participating in the convention, I am incredibly grateful to have been given the opportunity to attend. As I move through the program at UW-Stout, I am able to connect my knowledge from the convention to what I am currently learning in the classroom. With this in mind, I believe that I have a better understanding of the material and have learned new material that has not come up during the program. Because of this, it inspires me to ask more questions and look forward to attending the convention in the future.
Your confidence in and/or passion for teaching?
In terms of my confidence, I believe that it continues to grow every time that I am able to have the opportunity to attend a conference or convention. While attending, I received an abundant amount of resources in regard to various material and topics. With these material now in my back pocket, I more confident in what I know, what I can do, and how to do it. This experience has allowed me to listen to a large amount of other art educators’ experiences. By listening to their successes and failures, it makes me more confident in my teaching practice because I know that I am not alone.
Your desire and commitment to be an art teacher?
While attending the virtual convention this year, I found myself in a state of excitement at various times. By observing images, listening to the speakers, and accumulating knowledge, I continued to envision myself within my own future classroom applying what I had been learning. That being said, my overall desire to teach art continues to grow by this excitement that I have toward having a classroom full of students in the near future.
Your overall mood, happiness, or well-being?
In relation to my overall mood and well-being, attending the convention has allowed me to focus my attention on something other than homework. Because of this, I exhibited emotions of happiness due to the fact that I was furthering my learning in the area that I am most passionate about, teaching.
Your relationships with other art ed students or networking with other art ed professionals?
By attending the live event with my peers in the library, I had the opportunity to build my relationships with several of my colleagues by sharing ideas, laughing, and learning. Since the convention had been online once again, it was difficult to network with teachers outside of the presentation other than introducing ourselves and asking a question or two. Apart from this, there had been instances where I recognized a name of a speaker from a past conference that allowed me to feel a connection toward them. However, building this connection is something best done in person; therefore, I look forward to having an in-person convention next year!