Explain the impact that this experience had on:
Your art teaching knowledge and/or abilities?
The NAEA convention made me feel more confident in my knowledge on art teaching, as the information I learned in every session was extremely helpful. Even though the sessions provided me more knowledge on art teaching, there is obviously still more I need to learn. With that being said, the overall impact the NAEA convention had on my art teaching knowledge and abilities was that I feel like I am in a good place, but I still feel excited to continue learning more and improving immensely. The knowledgeable from individuals leading the sessions inspired me to take up all the opportunities I can to learn and grow as a future art teacher!
Your confidence in and/or passion for teaching?
Every single session I attended excited me and made me want to learn as much possible as soon as possible about art education. I feel my confidence and passion for teaching was sparked for sure during every session. It is impossible not to feel excited and eager to get into the art education profession when listening to wonderful sessions! I especially enjoyed all the sessions geared more towards the preservice audience. The tips and tricks shared will be things I can look back to before heading into student teaching and interviews.
Your desire and commitment to be an art teacher?
I was reminded each session that I want to be an art teacher, even when the session talked about the challenges of being an art teacher. Whenever the preservice sessions talked about the hard times of teaching there were always more positive to outweigh the challenges. Things like impacting the students are what make me strive for being an art teacher. Overall, the convention made me think about what motivates me to be an art teacher!
Your overall mood, happiness, or well-being?
Overall, the NAEA convention left me feeling good. I left each session with my brain overflowing with information to process. With that being said it was hard for me to not want to drop all my school responsibilities right now and order all the art education book recommendations! I hope to find more time this summer to read these books. Along with that the convention sessions boosted my overall mood with helpful information I am grateful to have gotten.
Your relationships with other art ed students or networking with other art ed professionals?
Even though the convention was virtual I still feel I made good connections and relationships with my fellow art ed students. I was pleasantly surprised to be reached out to by an art ed professional who was leading sessions at the convention. So, despite everything being virtual it is possible to still create relationships and connections with others.