Tennessee Art Education Association Conference

My husband professionally refers to both the state and national Art Ed conferences as "Tina's Art Party". I regularly attend and I enjoy networking with my fellow art teachers more than you know. It is so good for the soul to be surrounded by folks that share your passion and understand the all-consuming art teacher lifestyle! At this year's conference, the Friday night reception was a costumed even, in honor of Halloween weekend, and all were invited to dress as their favorite artist, artwork or style. I chose Pop Art, but I thought you may like to see what art teachers wear to a costume party! I am sorry that I didn't get a picture of "The Art Teacher's Nightmare".

Klimt Ladies

Cave Painting

Frida and her sugar skull

Egyptians! Always shaking their Asps.

My name is Georgia.

Charlie Russel (also Bunny's granddaughter!)

Andy and Georgia

Roy's Girls

Conceptual art with Jimmy Buffet overtones.

Mona and Leo

Not Banksy

The walking No-No board

Exploring Enduring Themes in Indianapolis!

Last week I spent two days with the Arts teachers in the Indianapolis Public School system for some summer PD before they headed back into the trenches for another year of growing people. They experienced a unit using the enduring theme of Identity and explored several student growth indicators, then discussed how to shift their teaching focus from studio to students. We grow people, that is what we do! They made a personal work of art and did a little planning. They talked, planned, problem solved, and collaborated. It was a personally inspiring experience to see the change in the room from 9:00AM Tuesday to 11:30AM Wednesday.

James Stephens (Music for All), Ila Nicholson, Linda Friend, Tina Atkinson, David Neman(IPS VAPA Instructional Coach)

To someone, you are a Rock Star!!

That is what I told my 4th graders today and here is the story...

While I was at the conference, I went to the elementary division luncheon. 

I was sitting at the table with, in my opinion, the holy trinity of techno-art-teachers, Trisha Fuglestad (The iPad Queen), Theresa McGee (Tech/Artsonia Queen) and Donna Staten (Pintrest Queen) among others who's skills I am in awe of and I felt privileged just to share their table. Anyway...a lady came up to my table and said:

"Hi Tina, my name is Brooke and I was in your session last year in Texas. I was so impressed that you walked in with just an iPad for your presentation that I made it my profession goal for the year to be able to do that." 

I looked around the table and back at her..."Are you talking to me??" I thought. Then I said "I was your professional technology goal?? Really?? That's AWSOME!!" 

(BTW Brooke-my friend Susie was in your presentation and she said you did an amazing job!!)

So...just remember to focus on the positive and not get bogged down in what you can't do or what you didn't finish, because to someone, you are a rockstar and you may not even know it!!