National Art Education Conference
April 26, 2010Baltimore, Maryland
I had a great opportunity to present with some of my colleagues from the other states at the National Art Education Conference last week in Baltimore. I am really proud of the work that takes place in Maine and I was happy to share the information.
Shalimar receiving her award
I also attended a few outstanding workshops and met interesting educators. There were two highlights at the conference for me. One was seeing Shalimar Poulin being recognized at a reception as Maine’s art teacher of the year and the other was attending a performance and sharing session by Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary).
Shalimar made tiny gifts with the smell of Maine to share with other teachers.
Peter Yarrow is an amazing person Peter Yarrow and very passionate about arts education and the impact it has on our world. He has founded a program called Operation Respect. The website has an enormous amount of resources. The program is designed to inspire children, along with their teachers and other educators, to transform their classrooms and schools into “Ridicule Free Zones.”
Peter shared his beliefs that around what a difficult place the world is in right now and how the arts “will lead us out of the darkness”. He believes that we need to “lead with our hearts and the intellect will follow.” He also urged us to “let the kids inspire us to be our best.” What a wonderful spokesperson he is for arts education.
me arts ed 
Thank You Argy! It meant an awful lot having you, Sandy, and Suz there to support me!
How about that! My favorite moment was Peter Yarrow too! I ran back to my room and bought The Best of Peter Paul and Mary and have been enjoying it immensely. What a dynamite speaker he was- so full of life and passion for what he does! I’ve declared myself a folk fan now!
My second best moment was when I ran into my cooperating teacher from a North East Phili Elem. School Loesche Elementary (I believe it was called). She asked me what am I doing so to earn the Art Educator of the Year Award- I responded happily and appreciatively, “I love what I do!” Lynn Hororshak smiled a knowing smile- the kind that says “I am so happy for you- I know I am part of your success- how fortunate are we to do what we do!” I was very fortunate to be matched with her back in 1997- she was an outstanding teacher and made quite an impression on me and I havn’t seen her for 13 years! What a great moment! After running several blocks to catch my bus to my MICA workshop and then catching my breath, I immediately called Suzanne Goulet who I know values connecting with our colleagues at important events like National Convention, I knew she would be please to share with her this great moment with me!
My third favorite moment was visiting my former boss and colleague, Tom Becke at UMBC. (Argy, I know you can relate as you were my guest of honor there!). Tom gave us a personal tour of a retrospective photo exhibit and shared the story of his good friend and experimental photographer Jerry Stephany. Jerry had passed away only on Tuesday of that week and Tom’s story was so raw and heart felt. Argy and I had goosebumps through most of the story- and Jerry’s work was like “painting with light”- outstanding. Tom has written a book on the exhibition that will be published at the end of the year. I so look forward to having a copy for my class room collection! I got so many cool ideas for my Photo/Printmaking Class! And, this is what going to fun art teacher gatherings is all about, right! Getting energized by new ideas, talking with those that do what we do, bringing back our “fresh” experience to our home community! Woooo Hooooo!