During March of 2022, twelve UW-Stout preservice students and alumni had the opportunity to attend the NAEA national convention in New York City, New York! By having the opportunity to meet experienced educators, gain valuable resources, and explore the city, participants came back with an abundant amount of information, stories, and insights!
This years participants included:
Preservice Teachers:
Lauren Dillinger
Mekenzie Bisel
Nicole Burt
Gwen Stein
Bailey Iwen
Jake Mazourek
Haley Parsneau
Alumni:
Nicole Seidler
Amy Lawrence
Marko Pechnik
Abigail Henderson
Samantha Plasch
Lauren Dillinger’s Convention Experience
Describe the overall impact that attending the NAEA National Convention had on:
Your art teaching knowledge and/or abilities?
By attending the National Convention in New York City, the experience impacted my art teaching knowledge and/or abilities by engaging with other art teachers, materials, and resources. Furthermore, I had the opportunity to hear art teachers discuss what works and what doesn’t work within their classrooms; therefore, I learned a lot simply through networking. Additionally, by participating in a ticketed session as well as attending the exhibit hall, I gained more knowledge about varying art mediums, lesson plans, and techniques; therefore, my abilities grew as well. Lastly, through the inclusion of tons of resources throughout the convention, I gained an abundant amount of knowledge through the presentations/sessions held.
Your confidence in and/or passion for teaching?
Regarding my confidence and/or passion for teaching, the convention had impacted me immensely. By becoming involved in the nation’s art teacher community, I am already more confident in the career path that I have chosen since the convention provided me with the experience to see hundreds of others thriving as art educators. In addition to feeling involved in the community, I remain passionate about teaching since I continue to have access to a large amount of resources to share with students. That said, I grow more and more excited to finally teach!
Your desire and commitment to be an art teacher?
In terms of my commitment to be an art teacher, as incorporated above, I grow more excited every day. Furthermore, by attending the convention, it enhanced my overall desire to become an educator. Through various discussions with other experienced educators while attending the convention, I remain eager to soon have my own experiences to share as well; therefore, I remain committed to becoming the best educator I can be.
Your overall mood, happiness, or well-being?
By attending the convention, my overall mood, happiness, and well-being had all been addressed positively. By being in an environment that provided me with the opportunity to meet others that share my same passions, I felt heard, seen, and understood. Because of this, I left the convention feeling motivated, determined, and happy.
Your relationships with other art ed students or networking with other art ed professionals?
After attending the convention with five other preservice teachers as well as six UW-Stout alumni, I feel that there is a stronger sense of community between us. I greatly appreciated the opportunity to connect with my peers and alumni. Essentially, we are all going through the same challenges, obstacles, and experiences; therefore, it was great to have the opportunity to build our relationships, discuss our shared experiences, and feel supported by one another.
Mekenzie Bisel’s Convention Experience
The overall impact that attending the NAEA National Convention had on my art teaching knowledge and/or abilities: Attending the NAEA National Convention greatly impacted my teaching knowledge! The convention provided me with an immense amount of useful information. I can confidently say that my teaching knowledge was questioned and expanded with each session I attended!
The overall impact that attending the NAEA National Convention had on my confidence in and/or passion for teaching: Attending the NAEA National Convention increased my confidence and passion for teaching. There is something about being surrounded with hundreds of other art teachers who are sharing and inspiring each other to be better art educators that left me feeling ready for student teaching!
The overall impact that attending the NAEA National Convention had on my desire and commitment to be an art teacher: I can confidently say that attending the NAEA National Convention enhances my desire and commitment to being and art teacher each time I attend, and every session solidifies this as well. The environment, information, and conversation from the convention reassured me in my career path, and left me eager to get into student teaching.
The overall impact that attending the NAEA National Convention had on my overall mood, happiness, or well-being: After attending the NAEA National Convention, I feel that my overall mood regarding students teaching was lifted. I was processing tons of new and useful information on how to be a better art educator, and that feeling of wanting to make an impact on students and help them produce work they are proud of and learned from.
The overall impact that attending the NAEA National Convention had on my relationships with other art ed students or networking with other art ed professionals: Attending the NAEA National Convention provided me with an experience where my relationships with the other Art Education students grew! It is impossible not to have a positive relationship and enjoy the time together with other Art Education students when we are all interested and inspired in the subject matter of the convention! I highly recommend all Art Education students to consider attending conventions or at the very least talking to students who have!
Nicole Burt’s Convention Experience
After the NAEA convention, I am extremely motivated to learn about decolonizing and decentering whiteness in art education. Heaps of resources such as PowerPoints, lesson plans, and book recommendations were provided to help educate myself now that the convention is over. I am especially looking forward to reading Paolo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed. I now have a list of book recommendations for students. I was also really happy to be able to practice my gelli printing skills because I would like to print in my future classroom.
I am feeling more confident after meeting so many art teachers and spending time with alumni. I feel l have picked the right major and I am really looking forward to my career and many NAEA conventions to come. The sessions were interesting and inspiring.
The convention made me feel like I can make a difference. Art has the power to educate people about social and political justice. I am happy to be in the education field.
The NAEA convention lifted my spirits during a hard semester and I am very grateful for the opportunity to go! It was simply amazing to learn so much I can bring to the classroom. It helped my well-being to be around so many likeminded people. The memories I made in NYC will last a lifetime.
Networking with other people in the same career field was valuable. I was able to learn about other unique perspectives from art teachers and artists. I think some connections I made will last throughout my career. These are important professional relationships as a pre service teacher because I may need help my first year teaching and beyond! I would like to be a resource for others throughout their careers as well.
Gwen Stein’s Convention Experience
Overall, this conference was an amazing opportunity, not only did I get to meet lots of new people, but I also got to get closer to some of the people at Stout in art Education. This conference has improved my knowledge of so many things included but not limited to new lesson ideas, a basic guide of ceramics and how to interact with disability in the classroom. I think with my ticketed session I am also growing my art skills because I got to practice my needle felting skills, something I don’t get to do often. I think my passion for teaching has also grown because at the conference I had the chance to speak with lots of educators and their passion was just contagious. Also getting to interact with my fellow attendees from stout makes me so excited for the future of art education because it is going to be a bright one. I think I am even more committed to becoming an art teacher because I know so much more, and I feel like after hearing about the difference I can make in students' lives I want to be that positive presence in their lives so much more. Although it is stressful to catch up on all the work, I missed I think the conference made sure to make me think mindfully. It was also rewarding to be able to make some friends that I didn’t have before. I also think going to New York was an amazing experience that made me happy. Although it is not really something that would make everyone happy, I had lots of fun going to the Nintendo store and I was even able to buy some stuff while I was there to remember my trip. Again, this trip made me grow closer to others in the major and although I already have an opportunity to do that with NAEA meeting and leadership roles, it is amazing to be able to go do fun things and strengthen those friendships. Overall, this was an amazing experience, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to be able to go.
Bailey Iwen’s Convention Experience
Overall the experience of attending the NAEA convention in NYC this year had a major positive impact on my thoughts and feelings as a future art educator by enhancing my competence as well as boosting my confidence in return. I feel that the conversations that took place within the sessions as well as outside the sessions enhanced my knowledge by connecting content from the big world ideas, back to the small classroom settings that each person can relate to. Listening and engaging with other teachers from all different places was very exciting to hear how they are making impacts on the lives of their students, which reflects the changes that other teachers across the country see as well. Gathering new ideas and deepening my understanding of how a classroom could look and things to keep in mind made me so excited to just jump in and start teaching as soon as possible! The desire to teach has always been sweltering and keeps growing greater and stronger with every experience and opportunity I encounter. I am only one year away from potentially being hired full time, so my commitment level is at an all time high where I’ve been focused on looking at my future ahead within my classroom and educating my students that I don’t even have. The NAEA convention was a breath of fresh air getting to be excited with other people who are excited and passionate about teaching art and being the change they want to see in the world. I didn’t anticipate growing closer to colleagues, but I had lots of bonding experiences with people just as simple human beings together, that helped me learn more as a person and as a future educator. This experience is definitely one that will remain with me in my practices as a teacher.
Jake Mazourek’s Convention Experience
Describe the overall impact that attending the NAEA National Convention had on:
Your art teaching knowledge and/or abilities?
As a current student teacher, I have already noticed how my practice and lesson planning development have begun to change. Attending this year’s NAEA conference [held in New York] has made an impact to how I approach Art Education, and the style to which I design and develop content material radically. This, is to which, no fault of the University of Wisconsin- Stout, as the university has taught us [Art Education students] the ground level concepts needed to prepare for a career in education. However, the opportunity provided in New York, has allowed me to observe a far wider spectrum of what is possible for practicing educators, and to that, the way in which I teach I feel has improved so significantly.
Your confidence in and/or passion for teaching?
While my passion for teaching has always been drive by the longing to cause change in the life of my students and demonstrate a safe environment in which they feel they can thrive and grow as a person, i.e., my passion for teaching remaining high and not changing, the confidence to which I know I will now approach my first year of teaching, as well as the interviews proceeding, has been filled with much insight and gained confidence because of the resources shared out generously by the Art Education Community.
Your desire and commitment to be an art teacher?
Still passionately strong. Students spend some of their most confusing and life-altering years while in school, and by practicing art, the ability for students to explore, find a sense of accomplishment, and satisfaction, all while fulfilling content material, is a rare occurrence in disciplines. Art is adaptable, and students, as they practice, are able to adapt how they approach the project individually. In doing so, how content is understood changes slightly per user, giving the material a moldable quality. What more, is that due to the freeing nature of expression commonly allowed in art, students are able to feel a greater sense of accomplishment, knowing they can work toward an answer that allows their own personal fulfillment (but also one that engages the idea of the lesson). In this way, art allows for critical thinking, self exploration, and confidence development all simultaneously. Of which, few other disciplines accomplish this all at the same time.
Your overall mood, happiness, or well-being?
Better! I love spending time with friends and other Art Educators! Having meaningful conversations with these people make me so happy to be part of this community.
Your relationships with other art ed students or networking with other art ed professionals?
I believe it is well. I had the chance to spend time with each “group” that formed (other than Ann and Tami) during the trip, in which, I guess I could be considered a drifter, but I really just saw it as “we’ are the Stout Art Ed crew” and I wanted to spend time with everyone. Also, I got to know a few other Art Teachers while at the conference, but I lost my voice while there, so the number of those I got to meet was limited. I meet a teacher from Oregon, Delaware, and Massachusetts.
Nicole Seidler’s Convention Experience
Over the years, I have attended four National Art Education Association Conventions. These experiences have always had a positive impact on me not only as an art educator, but also as an individual. Every time I attend, it shows me so many new ways to learn, implement, and refine topics related to art education.
The NAEA Convention expands my teaching knowledge and abilities by introducing new ideas and lessons that I am then able to bring into my classroom. By taking what I learn at the convention, I can give my students new and exciting experiences to allow them to experiment and try new things. This can then spark a new kind of learning and creativity from each of them. Providing my students with many new opportunities from the things I learn at the NAEA conventions, I am able to gain so much confidence as an art educator. It brings me so much joy to see my students experimenting and discovering new things that they would not have done if I didnt attend the NAEA convention.
At an early stage in life, I decided that I wanted to be an artist. As I continued to grow and learn, I looked at the relationship I had with my high school art teacher which drove my passion for art to change. I grew such a healthy relationship with education and art which led me to the decision to become an art educator. The commitment I have to being an art educator keeps growing stronger as I continue to see myself teaching art everyday. As an individual who loves to learn, attending the NAEA conventions allows me to ignite my passion and commitment to teaching over and over again. Within a world where education is constantly changing and improving, I believe that teachers should be going the extra step to continue learning and growning as an individual and as an educator. This is why I have such a strong desire to continue attending the NAEA conventions. So many new ideas and lessons are brought to the table for all art educators to share which brings so many more opportunities to students across the world.
I am so happy where I am at in my personal and professional life. I knew that art education was the right choice for me and I continue to be grateful for the opportunities I am provided to continue to learn and grow. Finally, one other factor I love about attending the NAEA convention are the relationships that are made between the preservice art education students at Stout and myself. I look forward to hearing the journey they are on and making connections between preservice art education students and an actual art educator. It is always a pleasure to catch up with others and meet new people throughout my time at the NAEA convention
I am so honored to be able to have the opportunity to attend the NAEA convention as an alumni and continue to support and encourage everything there is about AIM. Thank you greatly for this opportunity.
Amy Lawrence’s Convention Experience
Describe the overall impact that attending the NAEA National Convention had on:
MY ART TEACHING KNOWLEDGE AND/OR ABILITIES:
As an art educator who is early in my career I found attending this convention to be immensely helpful. I found great relevance in the sessions that I attended, and feel that I have expanded my art teaching knowledge. It is such a beneficial privilege to attend sessions and reflect in real time on how what the presenters are speaking on can be applicable to my own classroom and methods/approach to teaching.
MY CONFIDENCE IN AND/OR PASSION FOR TEACHING:
Attending this convention has been such an inspiring experience! This year has been particularly challenging for many educators, including myself. Having this opportunity to travel and learn from other art educators, who themselves are coming from endlessly different backgrounds, is so refreshing. It is easy to feel like we are on our own island as art educators, or have our self doubts. However, attending different sessions and hearing new ideas to apply to my practice - and even about things that I already am doing in the classroom, is incredibly validating. It gives me a refreshed sense of confidence that I am in a wonderful career, and I am rocking it!
MY DESIRE AND COMMITMENT TO BE AN ART TEACHER?
I am coming away from this convention feeling so empowered, and eager to apply new things to my professional practice. Many of the sessions I attended presented opportunities to look at experiences and interactions I've had while teaching from perspectives that I have not previously considered. I learned proactive ways to approach challenges and obstacles that I face while teaching. I feel more prepared, and excited about teaching - which brings on a greater commitment to my career choice!
MY OVERALL MOOD, HAPPINESS, OR WELL-BEING?
This opportunity has been great for my mental health, and overall well-being. It was such a blessing to take the time to work on myself professionally, as well personally. I learned a lot new things, and had so many experiences that were new to me. I was able to step outside of my comfort zone frequently due to this, and I feel that I have grown as an educator, but also as a person from doing so!
MY RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER ART ED STUDENTS OR NETWORKING WITH OTHER ART ED PROFESSIONALS?
The past few years have shown us all what a great privilege in person social interaction is. It was so wonderful to spend time with people in group and individual settings at this convention. I was able to get to know other art educators, and art ed students professionally and personally. This trip was an opportunity to connect with people in various stages of their career. I think that it is so great that AIM includes both current art ed students and alumni. Talking with current art ed students gave me fresh ideas, and I feel more than comfortable sharing tips and tricks that I have picked up in my teaching experience with others. Additionally, there were so many other art educators, like presenters, who's contact information I obtained, that encourage others to reach out for questions or conversations.
Marko Pechnik’s Convention Experience
The National Art Education Association conference has played an important role in my many years of teaching. I have attended 5 years of these conferences, and each year I find it helps me refine my abilities as a teacher and my professional practice. I realize now, that there will never be a “best-practice”. It is important to be adaptable in the field of education, because educators from all over the world are identifying new and innovative ways to relay information. Being adaptable is the key take away. It reminds me of a famous drawing by goya, I am Still Learning, which was created towards the end of his life. It showcases the importance of maintaining your practice within whatever field. You should always continue to educate and better yourself.
In many of my lectures, I found practices that were praised by other teachers were practices that I myself have developed in my own classroom. I found this to be quite fulfilling and developed upon my confidence. Additionally, I found that having been an educator for many years now, my social barriers have let down. I am more comfortable talking with colleagues and having dialogue with others. In the past I would have been shy to put myself out there. The conference has introduced me to people I would have otherwise never met.
Having the opportunity to reconnect with some of my peers through this conference is beyond appreciated. These individuals, who are also in the same stages of teaching as myself, help me realize I am not alone. I am highly committed to the field of education, and find it a hard field to remove myself from its benefits. I also find it rewarding to visualize how students in preservice are experiencing their first conference. It really gives me insight as to how fast one will grow in the field and it makes me look forward to continuing my teaching career far beyond my initial 5 year goal.
Overall, it was a very joyful experience at the NAEA conference. The excitement of new cities, friendships, and lifelong memories are what engrains these moments in my mind. I feel as though, upon returning, that I have jumped right into modifying my lesson plans and feeling refreshed for my students. After the conference, I have a new, more positive outlook, on the relationships I have developed with my students as well as the welcoming environment I have worked so hard to create.
In conclusion, upon return, I have been working hard to maintain relationships with those at the conference that I met. I have also been sending out resumes to possible new employers. I am always focused on growing and developing, not just as an educator, but as a professional. The AIM foundation has opened many doors for me to explore. I aim to spend the next few months learning from these connections. I would like to thank Tami and Ann for the opportunity. Two friends I hope to never lose.
Samantha Plasch’s Convention Experience
I am fortunate enough to have attended this convention multiple times: as a student, as a brand new teacher, and as a teacher with a moderate level of experience in the field. My biggest takeaway this year is that if I am to continue to evolve as a person, citizen, and educator, it is almost entirely up to me to make that happen.
As a student, you are surrounded by people whose job it is to present you with new ideas and experiences. As a teacher, it is up to you to seek out these ideas and experiences for yourself. As I wrap up my 5th year in the field, I am beginning to see how easy one might fall into stagnation. I am beginning to understand why some teachers present the same information and repeat the same projects year after year. As I begin to hit my stride, I see the appeal of settling into the comfort of what I already know.
Attending the convention this year reminded me of the world and the people that exist beyond my classroom and my district. Hearing new voices speak on topics they are wildly passionate about reminded me what it feels like when my mind and heart are fully engaged in learning. I was a student once again.
This feeling is what led me to the field of education; it is what makes me a good teacher and gives meaning and purpose to my life. This feeling, coupled with the desire to understand, to learn, to grow, to connect, and to share, will always be so much deeper and more meaningful than the superficial comfort that might come from giving in to the appeal of a more automated approach to teaching.
I feel recalibrated and ready to continue forward, the appeal of settling diminished. As a wise woman once told me, “embrace the discomfort.” This is the sort of advice that leads to the places worth going, and I am excited to see where it guides my teaching and my life next.