During October of 2023, fourteen UW-Stout preservice students had the opportunity to attend the WAEA state convention in the Wisconsin Rapids! By having the opportunity to meet experienced educators, gain valuable resources, and even lead a panel, participants came back with an abundant amount of information, stories, and insights!
This years participants included:
Preservice Teachers:
Haley Parsneau
Gwen Stein
Jasmine Sanchez
Marci Kodl
Veronica Jacques
Annabelle Dick
Anna Kopplin
Grace Vincent
Emma Cassman
Mikayla Boehm
Lin Boland
Abigail Thompson
Amelia Johnson
Kayla Ellefson
Lily Schwartz
Kiaya Schroeder
AMELIA JOHNSON’S CONVENTION EXPERIENCE
At his year's WAEA conference I engaged in new artistic strategies and mediums but also engaged in meaningful conversations with fellow educators. These interactions have enriched my understanding of classroom management techniques and have given me helpful insights into the specific age groups they prefer to teach. I've gained a more comprehensive understanding of the differences between teaching in larger versus smaller schools. In addition to these experiences, my discussions with other teachers have shed light on the importance of thinking of interviews as a two-way process. It's not just the school evaluating potential candidates, but also candidates evaluating the school. I've learned what questions to ask during interviews to ensure that the school's culture, values, and expectations align with my own goals and teaching philosophy. Overall I continued to further deepen previous understanding as well from past conferences.
I tried new avenues in art-making that have introduced me to new strategies and mediums I hadn't previously tried. Additionally, I've also gained insights into various methods for offering support to students from diverse backgrounds and identities specifically on how to accommodate and provide new tools and techniques for students to help the arts be more accessible. As a result, I now feel better prepared to create an inclusive and accepting environment within my school and classroom, ensuring that all students feel valued.
Over the weekend, my confidence increased while I was with other pre-service- full time teachers who were passionate for the arts. Their presence and shared experiences served as an inspiration, further fueling my dedication to choosing the major and future career of art education. During these interactions, they were important to me as I learned important information from teachers as well as stories. I now have a greater sense of confidence in the classroom methods and techniques that can benefit my students.
I'm committed to becoming a teacher. This was fueled by the people I met at the conference as they have been a big inspiration. It was amazing to see educators of all ages there, and their long-lasting passion for teaching was motivating. I want to follow in their footsteps, staying dedicated and passionate, just like the teachers I connected with at the conference.
I was filled with enthusiasm throughout the conference, constantly encountering new discoveries and engaging experiences. It brought me great joy to participate in various sessions that helped me to grow closer to new ways to enhance how I will be as a teacher. . I'm very appreciative of the chance to be a part of this conference and the opportunities that came my way during the weekend and after the conference with life long skills.
I deepened my connection with art education peers, creating lasting memories together. This experience helped me better understand classmates I don't usually engage with and provided insights into their passion for teaching. I also spent time with peers I usually don't have time to interact with and gained knowledge about educators' age group preferences and teaching methods for lesson plans and curriculum. Through these conversations and shared experiences, I gained a deeper understanding of the different dynamics in the field of education and within our major.These interactions not only enriched my personal connections but also broadened my professional understanding and capabilities.
Thank you for choosing me to continue to attend the WAEA conference for a second year. It has given me the opportunity to grow in my knowledge and confidence as a future art educator.
ANNA KOPPLIN’S CONVENTION EXPERIENCE
I knew going into this trip that attending the WAEA State Conference would be helpful for my future career as an art educator—that was why I signed up, after all—but I had no idea that after just two days, I would walk away feeling so much more confident about taking on my upcoming practicums. As we were leaving, I told one of the new friends in Art Education that I made while I was here that “I feel like this conference has been a year!” because I’d learned that much.
I think the most meaningful part of the conference for me personally, and the part that inspired me the most, was having conversations with current teachers who were attending the conference as well. When I wasn’t with other Stout students, I went out of my way to sit with strangers if there was an open seat nearby, and while we worked or had free time to talk, I told them I was a preservice teacher and asked them questions about teaching. Everyone at the conference was extremely friendly, and when they learned I was a preservice teacher, they were always super encouraging and glad to give me advice or just talk about their own early teaching experiences. One example of this was in my last session on Thursday. I sat next to someone who was only a few years older than me and had been teaching art to middle schoolers in the Madison school district for four years. I got to ask her questions about establishing herself in her district, what she liked about the age group she taught, what rules she had in her classroom that she didn’t expect to make, and what she thinks I should look for in a prospective employer. In Disability Identity Through Art, I had a thoughtful conversation with a more experienced art teacher who was passionate about working with students with disabilities. I signed up for as many workshops that I could surrounding the topic of disability because I’m personally very interested in the intersection between art education and special education, and this teacher had a lot of really great examples of how she’d helped students with disabilities flourish in the art classroom, and how seeing them be successful changed her philosophy as an art teacher. There was also so much advice in every session about classroom management that I found invaluable and took lots of notes on.
Overall, this conference really reinforced for me that I’m on the right path, and I’m so excited to include some of what I learned in future lesson plans and practicums. I truly think every art education student would benefit from attending one WAEA/NAEA conference, and I’m glad I got to attend this one.
JASMINE SANCHEZ’S CONVENTION EXPERIENCE
Attending the WAEA State Conference has helped me learn many things as a pre-service art educator. It has taught me the significance of fostering an adaptive classroom environment for students who may struggle with communication and mobility challenges so they can participate at the same level as other students. This not only includes creating and providing the necessary tools and accommodation but also includes creating an environment where every student, regardless of ability, feels safe, empowered, and inspired. It has also taught me the importance of self-awareness as an educator and recognizing the limit of my expertise to provide a quality visual arts education to my students. Teaching things in depth and being able to explain every part of the process is more important than trying to achieve lofty goals.
Meeting other art educators has also helped to reinspire my confidence in being an art teacher. Seeing that even experienced art educators don’t know everything and are always working to improve their curriculum and themselves has instilled in me that it’s okay that I don’t know everything and that the best educators are those who remain committed to lifelong learning. Creating the projects has also reignited my passion for art and artistic expression and reminded me that art educators are not only teachers of knowledge but also artists who create enthusiasm and inspiration within their students. I know that this will transfer to my students when they are creating their own artwork.
Going to this conference has just confirmed that I am on the right career path as an art educator. When attending sessions, I was able to imagine how I would teach the lesson or put the tools I learned into practice in the classroom. I have been able to see what I want my future classroom to look like and how I want to run it. I now know the type of relationship I would like to have with my students and how to create that.
The trip as a whole has lifted my spirits during a tough time in my life. I was able to recharge my creative juices and focus on learning new things. During the maker’s marker, seeing the creations of fellow art educators and fellow artists filled me with a feeling of warmth and made me proud to be an art educator.
I was able to better connect with my art education peers through this trip and we had fun attending events together and talking during dinner. However, it was also fun to talk with more experienced teachers and learn how they run their classrooms and their tips for me as a pre-service teacher. Overall, I have learned so much during this conference and am excited to learn more.
KAYLA ELLEFSON’S CONVENTION EXPERIENCE
I felt that the WAEA State Conference had a great impact on my current position in art education as well as my future becoming an art teacher. I gained a lot of knowledge, specifically with guidance on what kinds of lessons I should be choosing for my students. I realized that a lot of lessons I have saved on Pinterest or assignments I had through school didn’t allow for much if any personal meaning or expression. I was told by my teacher exactly what to create and if I strayed from that, I would be punished with a poor grade. I do not want this for my students. I want my students to have fun creating art that is impactful for them, art that has meaning or personal connection. I learned that this is called Authentic Student Art and I need to consider it with every lesson I assign my students.
Two of the sessions I attended talked about students with disabilities and helping them get the same access to an art education as everyone else. This means that I should consider my art materials may be affecting my students negatively and find alternative resources for them. I also need to encourage my students with disabilities to delve into their experiences and help them find pride in what they’ve been through. This can happen when I give my students assignments about identity to allow for conversations between peers.
I felt very passionate about my future career coming out of the conference. I felt that these sessions gave me a lot of inspiration for my future classroom and empowered me to know the worth of my position as an art teacher. Educators can have such a great impact on their students, whether that be positive or negative and I need to be that positive support for my students. I can use my class to empower students through art. I was also inspired by the session about creating an art club. We were showed how an art club is a great way to build a community in your art classes and show that art should be respected in your school. Members of the club can also be shown other responsibilities like helping around the school and setting up for art shows. Even though you’re giving extra effort that is unpaid, it can be so impactful for building relationships between peers and yourself.
Attending the Wisconsin Art Education Association Conference was an incredibly uplifting experience that had a profound impact on my well-being. The energy and enthusiasm of the event left me feeling inspired about my future career as an art teacher. I couldn't help but feel empowered by the camaraderie among fellow art educators. This conference rekindled my passion and made me believe in my potential as a great teacher who can make a real difference in the lives of my students. It provided me with not only practical tools but also a renewed sense of self-confidence that has since fueled my motivation and determination to excel in my chosen path, contributing significantly to my overall happiness and well-being.
The WAEA Conference really helped me to connect with my fellow art education majors. It provided us with quality time to hang out and talk about why we all decided to pursue this major as well as what we learned in our sessions. These conversations really helped us bond and appreciate each other's unique journeys. What made it even better was the chance to chat with experienced art teachers already out there in the field. We got to pick their brains about everything from the grade levels they chose to what to expect in interviews, and even got some fantastic suggestions on job hunting and ideas for our future classrooms. These interactions not only gave us great advice but also strengthened our friendship as a group of budding art educators.
KIAYA SCHROEDER’S CONVENTION EXPERIENCE
Overall, the WAEA conference was an extremely positive experience where I got the opportunity to make connections with art teachers in the field, my art education peers, learn multiple ways of teaching art, and be supported in my choice to become a lifelong art educator. I had enriching discussions and conversations with a range of art teachers from pre-service like me to retired. They shared with me their stories, ideas, creative skills, and professional skills and I tried to absorb every bit of it. I feel as though I made new and grew current friendships with my fellow pre-service teachers. I loved getting to experience professional development with a large group of determined and passionate future teachers.
During the conference I also acquired so much free stuff! Not only was it free but everything that I got can be applied to teaching the visual arts in my practicum experience, student teaching, and soon in my years of being a licensed art educator. I also acquired multiple lesson plan ideas, physical lesson plans, project samples, and so many helpful tools for when I become a first-year teacher. I got to expand my knowledge of the of art that can be created and how to apply that as a teacher. That being said, I treasure the lesson plans handed out to me during the sessions because I know that they have been used with current students and created by people who have crafted them to suit those students. I look forward to modifying and building upon the ideas and processes formed in those lesson plans to suit my future students and my need as the teacher. A major take-away I learned is that you can do all the online research in the world about what it means and takes to become an art teacher, but nothing beats in person conversations you learn so much just by being in a room buzzing with people that people and love art.
Seeing so many art teachers in the state of Wisconsin spread their love for teaching the visual arts inspired me and made me excited for when I have my own classroom, district, and arts community. One of the things I valued most about the conference was getting to see and learn all the different perspectives of art teachers. There is no one way to be an art teacher, there is only your way and that is perfect. I was in awe of how many art teachers there are in Wisconsin, and I cannot wait to meet more at the national conference.
LILY SCHWARTZ’S CONVENTION EXPERIENCE
Attending this conference really made me feel included. Not only that, but I learned so much! Being able to attend sessions and receive lesson planning on so many different project areas was amazing, and it was reassuring to talk to some retired art educators. They had lots of tips and seemed to enjoy talking about their experiences. I really enjoyed being a part of the community, and I felt very welcome, even though I am just beginning my journey on the art education path. Talking to current and past educators truly enforced my belief in art education and pursuing this degree.
GRACE VINCENT’S CONVENTION EXPERIENCE
The WAEA Conference has greatly impacted my identity as a future teacher and given me many of new tools to use in my future classroom. I am in my last semester of classes before student teaching, and being able to network and talk with teachers in the field teaching in their own classrooms really helps to lessen the stress of being in that right before student teaching phase. One of my biggest fears as a future educator is letting my students down, but hearing how educators inspire their students and are encouraging them in their artmaking helps to inspire me to be like them. I learned how to use paper folding techniques to create sculptures. I learned ways to do a comics unit and the different aspects to think about it, and I learned about using unique tools like erasers to make a print from. I love these conferences because I also get to connect with my peers on a way that is deeper than just a classroom level by going on these sessions and spending out evenings hanging out. One of my classmates is in her student teaching placement right now and getting to talk to her about what it is like and her experiences helped to ease a lot of the anxieties about what I will be diving into soon. Attending conferences like this allow me to reignite my commitment to being an art teacher, they help me connect with educators all over the state of Wisconsin and gave me tools and ideas to use in my future classroom.
LIN BOLAND’S CONVENTION EXPERIENCE
Overall, I think the WAEA conference was an amazing opportunity for myself and other preservice teachers at UW Stout. I had a wonderful time getting to get to know my peers, make exciting new projects, gather more lesson plans, and to network with other art education professionals! I went into the conference excited to get know my peers, and I left knowing more teachers than I could have ever hoped! I got the opportunity to share ideas, learn new ideas and grow with these teachers at the conference, and I left feeling even more confident and excited for teaching, which I didn’t know was possible! Overall, I would love to come to another conference with NAEA, as I really enjoyed the learning and bonding opportunities I was presented with!
MARCI KODL’S CONVENTION EXPERIENCE
A) your art teaching knowledge and/or abilities?
At the conference, I learned many new ways to teach in my classroom. Some of these ways are teaching contemporary art, how to make adaptive tools for students, and creating a positive learning environment for students. During the conference, I reflected on what I have done so far in the teaching experience I have had and though of how I could do it better.
B) your confidence in and/or passion for teaching?
By attending the conference, my confidence and passion for teaching art become stronger. The first time I went to a conference I was a bit shy and didn’t really talk as much. This year I had more confidence to talk to art educators at the conference. I even got to talk with a couple educators that I met at my first conference and at the national conference. The community at the conference made my passion to be an art educator grow! Everyone is willing to help you out as an educator. To see how happy everyone, one is and we all share the same passion is inspiring.
C) your desire and commitment to be an art teacher?
After listening to both the keynote speakers at the conference, I was inspired. It made me realize why I want to be an art teacher again. Since I was in kindergarten, becoming an art teacher has been my biggest dream. I am almost halfway through my junior year of college and I am so ready to be an art educator. The one that stuck out to me the most in their presentations was the theme of never giving up on yourself or your students. Students notice when you the teacher are putting in the work for them. This inspires students and gives students a safe space to go knowing that they can trust you.
D) your overall mood, happiness, or well-being?
Something about these conferences that make me so happy. Although I am missing school and trying to catch up on homework at the same time, the conference relaxes me. Everyone who goes from UW-Stout and the educators at the conference are always so excited to be together to share art/teaching. After the conference, I have all these fun photos of the people I went with or met at the conference which makes me happy. It also makes me feel happy and inspired to create my own art and make future lessons with my future students.
E) your relationships with other art ed students or networking with other art ed professionals?
The conference allows me to get to know my peers at UW-Stout that might be ahead of me or behind me in the program. I think these relationships are great to have not only now at Stout but, in the future when we are all educators. I got to attend a session with a teacher that I met last year at the state conference. She led the session called, “Quilling for a growth mindset” where she taught us about paper quilling. We got to talk about our paper quilling experience, and I got to share a new technique about paper beads. She was excited to learn something new! These interactions are my favorite part about the conference. In this session, I also got to learn about how TAB from three other art educators at my table. They were from elementary, middle, and high school art classrooms. We talked about some different ways that we could include paper quilling into a lesson of our own. For this session, I now know three art teachers that I may see next year or reach out to!
HALEY PARSNEAU’S CONVENTION EXPERIENCE
A) Your art teaching knowledge and/or abilities?
The sessions that I focused on were for elementary and middle school level students. Since I am in student teaching and just finished with the high school level, I noticed that I needed more lessons and ideas for my elementary placement. I found that this was very helpful, and I gained great resources for my next placement and try these new lessons.
B) Your confidence in and/or passion for teaching?
My confidence for teaching has been built up tremendously in student teaching, however my confidence of talking to educators that are retiring and looking for applicants for their job openings. I found that the session where I spoke gave me even more passion for teaching while listening to other art educators and how they were inspired to become teachers.
C) Your desire and commitment to be an art teacher?
My desire and commitment to being an art teacher has grown so much over the last four years, however, the conference really pushed my commitment to this career. While presenting and also talking with art educators at the UW – Stout Booth really helped with the desire of teaching. Talking with other educators while I am about to start my own career was really inspiring and I was given great advice for my future.
D) Your overall mood, happiness, or well-being?
I found that this confrence was very beneficial, however on the second day I was not feeling well so I ended up leaving a little earlier. I wish I had been able to stay for my other sessions, but I did look at the resources for the other sessions that I was going to attend and got information from those presenters.
E) Your relationships with other art ed students or networking with other art ed professionals?
I found that my relationships with the other art education students were great, and we bonded over my experiences in student teaching. I gave advice to other art education students since I am further along in the program. I found that I networked with many other art education professionals giving out my business card and resumes. Since I am looking for a teaching job in the next few months, I found this very important to ask for advice in interviews.
MIKAYLA BOEHM’S CONVENTION EXPERIENCE
I am very grateful to have been able to go on this trip. This trip taught me a lot of
pedagogy that I have not been able to learn or explore in art classes and opened up my
mind to new ideas. It was great to hear from teachers who are in the schools and to
hear what lesson plans and strategies have been effective for them and how to
implement these ideas into our future classrooms.
I am not taking any Art Ed classes this semester, so I have really felt
disconnected from teaching lately. This conference was a great opportunity for me to
connect with the program and remind me why I love teaching art. It was great to feel
inspired and to remember my why.
I enjoyed hearing from people who really enjoy what they do because it helps me
feel inspired and passionate about teaching. A lot of the media and people in everyday
life can make you feel like what we do isn’t important and that it isn’t worth it. This
conference was great because I got to be around people who have the same passion
for art education that I do. This environment helped me feel more confident in what I do.
This conference was also fun. There were a lot of engaging activities, a lot of
opportunities for social interaction, and the hotel had a pool. It was great to be able to
leave campus for a couple of days and to have fun while also engaging with
professional development opportunities.
My favorite part of this event was the makers night. We are all artists and it feels
great to support others within this community. It loved asking questions, learning more
about art mediums, and purchasing a work of art. The maker's night was important and
it was a great way to network with other artists.
EMMA CASSMAN’S CONVENTION EXPERIENCE
Attending the WAEA State Conference was a great experience that taught me a lot of what to expect in my future classroom, taught me lessons to have in my classroom, and how to manage difficult situations. Attending this conference gave me more confidence in my future, as I learned a lot about classroom management, whether that be not having much space in your classroom, lingering struggles from 2020, or students who may need extra support.
VERONICA, JACQUES’S CONVENTION EXPERIENCE
I chose sessions to build my art teaching knowledge. I received tons of lesson plans as well as tips and tricks to manage the classroom. These ideas will last me a lifetime and I am so excited to start using them in my classroom. My passion for teaching could not have increased more after this conference. I am fully committed to being an art teacher and couldn’t imagine being anything else. I loved seeing how passionate my fellow art educators are about their job and it inspires me to be the best art teacher possible. I was able to form better relationships with my art education peers during the course of this conference. We were able to reconnect after the long day at dinner and the drive back to school. I was able to get some of my peers to do the run/walk with me in the morning. Not only did I walk with my peers but also fellow art education professionals. We talked about how the conference was going and what they collected from the sessions. I gathered information on how they created a better environment for their students and how they managed misbehavior.
GWEN STEIN’S CONVENTION EXPERIENCE
This conference was a HUGE confidence boost for me! I thought it was so cool that we were given the opportunity to present and that we had a booth there. With my leadership roles in UW-Stouts NAEA I have been able to do a lot of cool stuff but presenting to other teachers was something new for me. I also enjoyed getting to share that experience with some of my other art education peers. My passion for teaching has also grown. I really enjoyed working at the booth and getting to see lots of art teachers excited to talk to their students about art careers. I want to work in high school, so it just made me even more excited than I already was. I also was inspired by my sessions. The new lesson plan ideas are very exciting, and I look forward to using them in my future classroom. The printmaking with eraser session was probably my favorite from this year and made me feel so passionate about this career. It was seeing everyone's different stamps and then collecting them all on our papers. It felt like we as art teachers were a team even if we weren’t teaching together or even the same grades and I think there is magic to that. Overall, I really enjoyed the conference, and I am excited for the next one.
ABIGAIL THOMPSON’S CONVENTION EXPERIENCE
The impact that attending the WAEA State Conference has had on my art teaching knowledge.
By attending the WAEA State conference my teaching knowledge has broadened by gaining a deeper understanding on some topics and learning new ways to create art. I have received a new burst of excitement in looking forward to creating a career out of teaching and will continue to work to my goal of eventually teaching out of an art studio. Overall, I had a lot of fun at the conference, strengthened my connections with my classmates, and I’m looking forward to the future.