During April of 2024, Eighteen UW-Stout preservice students and Alumni had the opportunity to attend the NAEA convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota! 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 year's participants included:

Preservice Teachers

Abigail Thompson
Alexa Mercier
Amelia Johnson
Annabelle Dick
Emma Cassman
Grace Vincent
Gwen stein
Karla Lara
Kayla Ellefson
Kiaya Schroeder
Lin Boland
Marci Kodl
Veronica Jacques

Alumni

Alyssa Walton
Chloe Halverson
Haley Parsneau
Jake Mazourek
Lauren Dillinger

CHLOE HALVERSON’S CONVENTION EXPERIENCE

This conference was genuinely life changing, and I cannot wait to attend more in the future. I am so reinvigorated as a teacher, and in my 3rd year of teaching I feel very passionate about my career but still have so much to learn. Being surrounded by SO like-minded individuals was incredible, and I feel so much a part of this community of artists and educators who are doing incredible things all over the country and further. It was an energy I cannot begin to describe with words. We are doing crazy-awesome things in the world, and I am so inspired to grow as a teacher through what I have learned.

I went to as many sessions as possible, and was overwhelmed with the amount of content, ideas, inspiration, and connections I made through them. I am very grateful to have learned so much more about inclusion, diversity, and equity in my classroom which is SO important to constantly be educating myself on in the fast-changing world. I have organization, material use, lesson planning, structure, and passion to bring back with me into my room. I feel more confident that I have also been doing a good job as a teacher in my room and I have accomplished so much, which is easy to get down on myself as a new teacher being the only art teacher in my building too. It was a reminder that I am doing great things, AND that I have so much to contribute and add to my curriculum and pedagogy. I adore my students, and I want to give them everything. I am excited by all the fresh ideas and passion I have gained through my sessions, speakers, and camaraderie and networking I was able to do.

It was also so inexplicably moving to be reunited with my Stout peers and have fun experiences within the conference as well as going out with them and seeing minneapolis and the MIA, and I realized how much I value them and my past experiences with them, as well as how important it is to keep that connection and bond strong. I have plans to stay in touch with people that attended the conference with me, most of whom I had not met and I am so glad that I did. I made great friends, as I also ran into SO many of my cohort who I graduated with and/or took Arted 200-300 with. It was very emotional and beautiful to see them again and see where they are at. I also ran into one of my cooperating teachers who I did my practicum with at Durand High School and her friend and colleague who teaches elementary art in the district. I got very close with them in the past and hadn’t seen them in forever. Additionally, I ran into several of my own colleagues from White Bear Lake who teach with me and in the middle and high school and got to spend some lovely down time with them and unpack a lot of our experiences in the conference and also just get to know each other more. I am very grateful for that time to strengthen my bond with my coworkers which will only make our impact in our district stronger. Overall, this experience was monumental and not only gave me lesson ideas and inspiration, material use ideas, inspiration for my own art practice, reinvigorated my passion as an art educator, grew my competence as a teacher who values equity and inclusion, and strengthened my bonds with fellow art teachers all around me and from my past that will follow me wherever I go. I cannot begin to describe how grateful I am for this opportunity.

ANNABELLE DICK’S CONVENTION EXPERIENCE

Attending the NAEA National Conference significantly enhanced my art teaching knowledge and abilities. Through various workshops, presentations, and discussions, I gained invaluable insights into innovative teaching techniques, effective classroom management strategies, and new approaches to art education. Interacting with experienced educators and learning from their expertise expanded my pedagogical repertoire, equipping me with new tools and approaches to enrich my teaching practice.

The conference bolstered my confidence in and passion for teaching. Engaging with passionate educators and witnessing their dedication to art education reignited my enthusiasm for teaching. Learning about successful teaching methodologies and seeing tangible examples of impactful teaching outcomes reaffirmed my belief in the transformative power of art education, boosting my confidence in my ability to make a meaningful difference in my students' lives.

My experience at the NAEA National Conference deepened my desire and commitment to be an art teacher. Being immersed in a community of like-minded individuals who share a profound appreciation for art education reaffirmed my career choice. Witnessing the positive impact that art educators have on their students inspired me to continue pursuing my goal of becoming a dedicated and impactful art teacher, solidifying my commitment to the field.

Attending the conference had a positive effect on my overall mood, happiness, and well-being. The opportunity to engage with passionate educators, explore innovative teaching practices, and immerse myself in a supportive community of art education professionals brought me immense joy and fulfillment. The sense of belonging and inspiration I derived from the conference contributed to my overall sense of well-being and left me feeling energized and motivated to pursue my teaching goals.

The conference significantly enriched my relationships with other art education students and facilitated valuable networking opportunities with professionals in the field. Collaborating with fellow students during workshops and discussions fostered meaningful connections and provided a supportive connection between peers with whom I could share ideas, resources, and experiences. Moreover, engaging with established art educators and industry professionals during networking events enabled me to expand my professional network, forge new connections, and gain valuable insights into career opportunities and best practices within the field of art education.

KIAYA SCHROEDER’S CONVENTION EXPERIENCE

Overall, the NAEA 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 to museum educators, to people that may not teach art but support the education in the visual arts. Teachers, supporters, speakers, and friends shared with me their stories, ideas, creative skills, and professional skills and I tried to absorb every bit of it. I got to reconnect with my pre-service friends after not seeing them while student teaching. I feel as though I made new and grew current friendships with my fellow pre-service teachers. I loved getting to experience this professional development with such a large group of determined and passionate future and current art 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 current student teaching placement, and soon in my years of being a licensed art educator. I acquired multiple physical and digital lesson plan ideas from sessions and booths from the main market. 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. I attended many sessions that not only had lesson plans but also curriculum planning. A major take-away I learned is that teaching art is much more than just teaching students about making art. It’s also a more holistic approach that is about teaching students how to be humans that interact with people, take responsibility for themselves and their actions, and embrace their individuality.

LIN BOLAND’S CONVENTION EXPERIENCE

I felt that the NAEA 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.

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 shown 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 NAEA 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.

This 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.

AMELIA JOHNSON’S CONVENTION EXPERIENCE

At this year's NAEA National conference in Minneapolis 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 and 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 week 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 outside of the classroom 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 NAEA. It has given me the opportunity to grow in my knowledge and confidence as a future art educator.

LAUREN DILLINGER’S CONVENTION EXPERIENCE

This opportunity allowed me to gain more knowledge about the processes and materials I currently utilize in the classroom. For instance, I had been struggling in an area of ceramic materials/equipment. By attending the National Convention, I was able to connect with other educators, talk with the company during the exhibitor hall, and attend a session that gave me more insight regarding clay practices. I have gained a lot more insight after having this experience!

The NAEA National Conference impacted my passion for teaching by ‘filling my cup’ with countless resources, positive conversations, and memorable experiences. Since the conference, I have felt much more confident in the teaching methods I have been pursuing and feel better connected with the art of teaching art!

The impact of this experience in relation to my commitment has left me with the desire to continue building up the current art program at the school I am teaching at. The conference inspired me to make a list of goals for the upcoming year, and I am excited to continue my teaching career as a high school art educator. By meeting other educators that have been in the realm of public education for 20+ years, I am hopeful and committed to continuing to assist students in their artistic journeys.

Attending the NAEA National Conference made me happy! By having my questions answered, experiences shared, resources gained, and memories made, this opportunity impacted my well-being positively. I feel prepared for the rest of the school year and determined to make changes for the betterment of the program I am building.

By attending the conference with my UW-Stout colleagues, I have been able to reconnect with many individuals that I haven’t seen since graduation. Yes, social media allows us to connect on a regular basis; however, enjoying each other’s company in a manner such as this one allowed me to re-establish those connections and share experiences with them that will benefit me for many years to come.

Regarding the networking that occurred while at the conference with art ed professionals from around the country, it had been awesome to witness and communicate with others that might be experiencing the same obstacles in an entirely different place. That connection, although brief, allowed me to recognize all of the supportive individuals that are in this community.

JAKE MAZOUREK’S CONVENTION EXPERIENCE

Through this NAEA Convention I would generally say, I was able to gather a gathering of information I will be able to take with me into my practice. Most notably, the use and application of AI programs and software capabilities that can be implemented for student use proved alone, to be a substantial reason to attend. Moreover, being able to gather other soft practices that I had not yet considered nor ones that had been yet taught also aided toward further developing my craft as a practicing educator.

Being able to connect with undergraduate and other practicing educators from my undergraduate university/beyond was a massive joy to be had. Working in a district where I serve as the only person in the visual arts program, I received a significant renewal reconnecting and creating connections with others in this practice.

The conference helped to ensure that for the time the job will remain available, and was a good idea to enter into. While I do hope to pursue an administrative goal, the conference gave evidence of the impact art education is still making on school systems.

Much like that mentioned in “confidence and passion for teaching,” the reconnection with others from my undergraduate university was a humongous treat! Due to the area in which I live and work, there is not a significant amount of community activities and youth events taking place. So, the chance to connect with a larger population of people in a similar age range to myself was really enjoyable, and is one thing I took for granted while attending school.

I was especially fortunate in the opportunity to meet Nicole Herbst from Sturgeon Bay, WI, as well as Elizabeth and Wilbur again from Stout (two art ed students I made a connection with, but graduated prior to myself). I also was able to meet and discuss with a number of graduate level professors and schools such as David Gazdowicz, Scott Northrup, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, MCAD, and etc. for potential opportunities.

GWEN STEIN’S CONVENTION EXPERIENCE

This conference had a big impact on my future teaching abilities because I attended some sessions about things that I don’t know much about like students setting up their own shows, doing art sales and even the differences between the AP and IB curriculums. I found these all super interesting and informative because I plan to teach high school and these sessions were about things I wouldn't fully get to learn about in classes at stout.

My confidence for teaching and getting into the profession has definitely improved especially with my Mock Interview session. Getting to hear about other interviews and getting to practice having an interview with school administrators was really rewarding because I got to get more experience and when they talked about what I did well I got a little bit of an ego boost.

Talking to other art educators and pre-service has made me want to get into the field faster than before. I loved getting to hear more about what I am personally interested in teaching and more about advanced programs like AP and IB.

I always find it important to spend time with friends and Art Education at stout is always being with friends. It was nice to get to reconnect with lots of different people in the program as well as go to the MIA together and hang out in the city.

I was able to network with other art ed students and alumni on this trip which was very beneficial. Being able to talk with other Stout students who are now in the field is super beneficial in my opinion and makes stout feel like a family even if we graduate. I found it super useful to talk to stout alumni to talk about working in the Madison area and because we all have this connection coming from Stout I am going to have people helping me look out for jobs!

KAYLA ELLEFSON’S CONVENTION EXPERIENCE

I felt that the NAEA Conference had a great impact on my current position in art education as well as my future becoming a licensed 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.

Attending the NAEA 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 NAEA 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.

HALEY PARSNEAU’S CONVENTION EXPERIENCE

I found this conference to be very beneficial to me as an educator to learn more lesson plans, I can use at my new school. I was just recently hired as a new elementary art teacher, and I wanted to learn about more inclusive lessons I could teach with students. I also wanted to learn more about collaboration with my community since that is such a huge goal of mine as a first-year teacher.

EMMA CASSMAN’S CONVENTION EXPERIENCE

Overall, I’d say this year's NAEA conference was the most beneficial conference I've been to. While I didn't have time to go to as many sessions as I would at the WAEA ones, I learned so many new things in the ones I did go to. Looking back at my sessions there seems to be a theme with art history and opening the classroom up as a safe space. Honestly I never gave teaching an art history class any thought, but after the sessions I went to I would definitely love to do that, and am now super interested in learning more about that. And of course, it's always beneficial to discover new ways to make your classroom environment safe and inclusive.

ABIGAIL THOMPSON’S CONVENTION EXPERIENCE

By attending the NAEA National Conference my teaching knowledge has broadened by gaining a deeper understanding on what to expect when looking for and getting a job. With the knowledge I’ve learned through attending this conference, I feel more comfortable to start the job hunt next year. I also learned new ways of teaching, and a few new tips and tricks to use within the classroom. Overall, I had a lot of fun at the conference, strengthened my connections with my classmates, and I’m looking forward to the future.

GRACE VINCENT’S CONVENTION EXPERIENCE

Attending the NAEA National Conference helped to further develop myself as an art educator and connect with peers I haven’t seen in a while. I attended a lot of sessions that had to do with either ideas for lesson plans for secondary, or on implementing SEL and controlled student autonomy in the classroom. Since I am at the end of my time at Stout, it was great to connect with peers and teachers from all over on how to interview, what to expect in my first year as a teacher, and how to best be prepared/take care of myself in that first year. I have been student teaching this semester, and every day I am more and more confident in myself as a teacher, and attending this conference has only made me more excited to be an educator. It was relaxing to get to talk with people in similar situations as myself right now and have time to relate to each other and give advice. The Art of Education University was so kind and randomly gave me a preservice care package, which bought my lunch one day during the trip and they talked to me about the resources they have for teachers. I was able to reconnect with my Cooperating Teachers from previous placements. I was also able to pick up information on potentially getting a master’s degree from different colleges which is something I have thought more and more about every day. Attending conferences like these has been so beneficial to my development as an educator and I greatly appreciate AIM providing us with these opportunities to grow while still in college.

VERONICA JACQUES’S CONVENTION EXPERIENCE

The NAEA 2024 National Conference was an amazing experience. I feel that my knowledge and abilities to support my students has grown exponentially. I have learned how to support many of my students from many different backgrounds. I feel more confident to help my students be successful in art no matter where they started or what challenges they face. I feel more ready than ever to get into the classroom and feel confident that I can support ANY students in the art room. I feel brighter now that I have more tools in my art teacher tool belt. I feel that I am prepared to be a very successful educator. I have not only grown as an individual, but through this experience, I was able to make more connections with other aspiring art educators at the University of Wisconsin-Stout and that we are able to share more experiences and resources with one another.