January 27, 2011

NAEA National Convention

So who's going??  Unfortunately, I am not....unless some wealthy person comes along and helps pay my way.  Don't see that happening though(you'd think in Nashville I'd know some famous rich country singer?? ha ha ).  Our district only pays for math & reading conventions...so that's a dead end.  With my wife and I expecting our second this summer(and she will no longer be teaching) we are pinchin' our pennies & saving as much as possible.  Oh well....I can't wait to hear all about it from the rest of ya!!!  What are you looking forward to the most?  If you've gone before....what was the best part of the convention for you?  How many teachers from your district usually go? 

6 comments:

  1. im going - can't wait. I am looking forward to a different point of view! I am interested in seeing if and how different art ed is on the west coast. I am really excited about the Chihuly Boathouse tour. My mom and sister live in a suburb of seattle so I am also looking forward to sharing the conference with my sis who is also an artist and a docent at her daughters' school which does not have an art teacher. Anytime that many art teachers are together it is inspiring so I am really looking forward to the boost of ideas and inspiration!! I was able to go to several conventions while in grad school so I have not been to a national in about 3-4 years.

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  2. Truth is, I've NEVER been to national. It's hard enough to get some of my way paid to the state conference (and my gimmick there is to teach a workshop, so the district feels guilty if they don't subsidize the trip) but there is no $$ to send me any further than that.

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  3. Years ago I attended the conference in Chicago. LOVED the vendors - so many new materials to try. Many vendors had hands-on activities/workshops right at their tables. Grabbed as many samples as I could get! Some workshops were great, others were duds. Although I've presented many times at our state conferences, still haven't worked up nerve to do same at nationals - waiting for it to be located closer to home!

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  4. I'm going too!!! For those of you on the east coast it's in NYC next year so come see us! NAEA is an awesome experience and I would encourage anyone to go if you can!
    ~ Susan

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  5. I REALLY want to go, but like the rest of you, don't have the money to get to Seattle. I'm also a little hesitant to give up part of my Spring break to go (I feel a little guilty writing that, but I want to spend the week with my kids.)

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  6. I am going! I am presenting at the NAEA's Best Practice Elementary Carousel on Saturday afternoon. However (get this) even though I am presenting, my district still can't help me out, even when I am the district's art facilitator! I am paying out of pocket. Oh well. I am hoping to make it a vacation with my husband or just a quick trip by myself with another art teacher. I have been to other conferences and I remember feeling overwhelmed. So many ideas, so many inspirations and you want to implement it all right away... But that is not realistic... I have to get ready to stash ideas and save them for a rainy day. I am very excited for my first presentation and will be sure to keep everyone updated along the way.
    Jessica Balsley

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