A Lesson in Sharing

Many secondary teachers across the country this week are finalizing the AP portfolio exams with their students.  As I surveyed my classroom today, I marveled at the fact that I could sustain a week of senior art students camped out in my classroom while still maintaining order and the energy to teach my full teaching schedule.  I marvel at this because a few years ago, the pace of this week might have put me over the edge.  And, I know that I am not alone!  This juggling act is something that many of us have learned to do it very, very well.   For me, I know that the sense of community, sharing, and words of wisdom that I have received through publications such as the NAEA Advisory, School Arts magazine, the listserve for the AP College Board, the Art Education Journal, and most recently the NAEA Ning site for secondary art educators have been instrumental in helping me plan, prepare, and feel empowered to manage more.  When we as educators take the time to share our successes, our musings, our creative problem solving, our amazing lessons, and good, plain common sense - we propel each other forward!  No matter how small, we all have wonderful accomplishments and stories to share.  Truly, I cannot count the times that I have gleaned ideas and best practices from the articles or writings from my national and international colleagues.  I am forever grateful to those that have taken the time to write and publish and the impact that it has had on my career.

There are countless ways that we can share and collaborate as an art education community!  From Facebook to .Ning to publications to presentations at the state and national level, our support for each other furthers the profession of art education.  Think about your week this week and what you have done to enhance student learning.  Think about your philosophy for art education, the wonderful lessons that you have taught, or the “aha!” moment that either you or a student had (or both!).  Consider how you could use your experiences to teach a colleague by writing, publishing, and sharing with others.  Consider sending a proposal to present at your next state art education conference or for the NAEA Convention (due May 15).  You never know how your words will further the career of someone else. 

-Rebecca Stone-Danahy