Can't Go To NAEA 2017??

I've been blessed to go & present at NAEA twice, Fort Worth & San Diego.  I had the time of my life.  There is nothing like being around thousands of like minded individuals who love art, love teaching, and love life!  However, I'm a husband & father.  I am the only source of income for my family.  That requires me to make choices in life for what is best for the family...and not just myself.  I know there are others of you out there that are in the same boat as me....and look at the online photos & stories wishing you could be there also.  I GET IT!!! 

So...what can you do instead to bring a bit of the experience to your life?

NUMBER ONE

CONNECTION!!!  I think the most impactful (is that a word?) thing about conference is the connection with other art educators.  Many of us are the only ones in our building, and we do not have the opportunity to hang out, bounce ideas off of, and learn from other people that are doing the same thing we are doing.  I'm fortunate to be in a large school district that has over 140 art teachers K-12.  I'm also extremely fortunate to have 5 professional days a year that I can use for workshops, conferences, or to go observe others.  I know that is not the case for many.  If you have a similar situation, do your best to use those days you've been given.  If you don't have the luxury of professional days...meet after hours!  I know it is cutting into your time, but the connection is worth it in the long run! If meeting up in person is just too challenging for your situation...try the online communities that are out there!  Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Blogs....there are so many great resources out there to connect & share with other art educators.  

NUMBER TWO

CLASSES/SESSIONS!!!  NAEA allows you to have the amazing opportunity to select from a HUNDREDS of classes/sessions!  You can truly find anything & everything art and art ed related.  Your state association also offers opportunities for classes, lectures, and sessions that will help grow your skill set, feed your artist soul, and allow for you to connect with others.  Local gallerias, museums, and artist groups often host classes as well.  You just have to know where to look.  You can also find summer workshops! Make it a destination/vacation event.   I know a blogger that is putting on his 2nd annual summer workshop at the end of June!!! :) ha ha  I had 15 teachers from 5 states last summer attend my three day workshop....WE HAD SO MUCH FUN....and learned a lot from each other.  Also the ever popular Cassie Stephens is having her summer workshop with some other art teachers....and I know they had a great time last summer as well!!

Can you totally get the NAEA experience without going...not exactly. I highly recommend going to the NAEA Conference at least once in their life!!!!  It really is an amazing experience.  However, you experience some of the things that are at the core of NAEA if you make the effort!!  

ONE MORE SESSION YOU MUST ATTEND!

I have one more session for you all to attend...MINE!!! :) ha ha  

I followed Twitter & Facebook closely during the NAEA NOLA...and truly enjoyed seeing all the joy & excitement of being together...learning from one another...and experiencing a fun city like New Orleans!!!  However, I thought about the reality of MONDAY!  The day after conference is over...and you find yourself back home..back at work...back to the same ol' same ol'!!  The situation is the same....BUT YOU HAVE CHANGED!!!  You have a fire/spark & are full of ideas!!  How do you keep the momentum going?  Hope my little video will encourage you to carry on with your renewed passion...and fresh ideas!  

NAEA Survey

Those of you who attended NAEA San Diego...don't forget to fill out your survey!! 

I would love to do a large session!!! So, if any of you have yet to fill out the survey..there is a section where you can recommend people you'd like to hear at general sessions, super sessions, and such.  WRITE ME IN!!! :) ha ha I'm not above asking!! ha ha  I really would love to do a large session!!!!! 

*************************************

 Also if you came to my session on A Blog People Want To Read at the convention...PLEASE FILL OUT THE RATING ON THE CONVENTION APP!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU!

TIME IS ALMOST OUT!?!?! I NEED YOUR HELP!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CLICK TO HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Time is running out!!!  I may have to cancel my fundraiser & the trip to NAEA San Diego.  I really want to be their to present, but it can't happen without help.  If you could help by donating 5, 10...or whatever you feel like donating....it would be much appreciated....OR....do you know someone that would want to help a teacher out when their school & district will not.  If you do...pass along my info.  I'd be happy to chat with them via e-mail if they need to know more.  

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU 

for your consideration!!!

!!!!!!!CLICK TO HELP!!!!!!!!!

COME SEE ME...ONE MORE SESSION TO GO!

Still here on Sunday......COME SEE ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Want to see how a city comes together to promote the arts!!!!!!    A few years ago we had an amazing time with Chihuly in Nashville....and worked together amazingly with the different art museums/organizations in Nashville!!!  

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!COME COME COME COME COME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It Takes A Village:  A Model for School District and Museum Collaboration   

Sunday, Mar 10   11am

Meeting Room/ 107 Center/ 1st floor

YOU CAN FIND THE CHIHULY LINKS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY BLOG ->

Exhibition Hall: OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have you ever seen any documentaries or "B" movies on piranhas!??!!?  Well..that is kind of what the exhibition hall was like when the doors open every day!! HA HA HA (am I right attendees?)  After a few minutes..everyone disperses & it really isn't that bad.  IT IS ENOUGH TO BRING A TEAR TO YOUR EYE!  One could actually spend the whole day in the exhibition hall!  There are so many companies...so much to see...so much to do(many of the companies have projects you can do..or products you can test).  I have so much "stuff" that I'm taking home with me...it is crazy. Michaels area was so beautiful...like a full set!!!  I also loved Blick's set up!  

NAEA SESSION PREZI: Blogging & Other Shameless Self Promotion

NAEA FORT WORTH: FIRST DAY FUN!

Andy Warhol hadn't heard of Art with Mr. E?!?!?!  What's up with that Andy????

This is Jo Pearson...she is a creative consultant for Michael's ...and was one of the judges on Craft Wars!!

I'm having a blast at NAEA Fort Worth!  I've already met so many amazing people.   The first hour and a half I pretty much stood in the same place talking to I don't know how many people that knew me from the blog. It was so encouraging to speak to them about their teaching situations...and how they've used some of the things from Art With Mr. E in their rooms.  Makes it all worth it!!!!!

Look Who's Going to Fort Worth With Me!

(I was inspired by Mr. R's ugly sweater purse post for  how I decorated the page...ha ha
http://mymessyartroom.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-hated-sweater.html)

Mr. R from MY MESSY ART ROOM will be experiencing NAEA Fort Worth Flat Stanley style! 

I'm not sure if you remember my adventures at NAEA NYNY last year?!?!  

Phyl from There's A Dragon In My Art Room took me to NY with her!  I'm not sure I'll be able to do as good of job as Phyl did...but I'm hoping Mr. R enjoy's his experience at the conference!!!!

NAEA Fort Worth: My Time Slot

I just realized my session is the exact same time as a Super Session. So I might be talking to myself...thank goodness I'm so interesting?!?!   ha ha ha  However, if any of you attending feel like skipping the Super Session(it is Lois Gibson "The Art Of Catching Criminals") ....here is the information for mine.  There is space for 130 people...hopefully can fill it up!

Session Title: Blogging & Other Shameless Self Promotion

Date:  Friday, 3/8/2013

Time: 11:00:00 AM - 11:50:00 AM

Location: Sundance 3/Omni/3rd Floor

Description: Explore how to promote your program and connect to the community around you: blogging and building relationships to let others in on the importance of art education.

An NAEA Blessing!

Most of you know that I'll be doing a session at this years NAEA in Fort Worth (If you will be there...come visit me...my session is Blogging & Other Shameless Self Promotion! Also I'll be heading a table up at the round table discussions for elementary).  Money to get there has been a great concern...since I'm the only income for my family.  Before we had Eli...we knew we wanted my wife to be able to stay home with our children, and we did everything we could to set ourselves up for that to happen.  Now almost 2 yrs into it...we have seen God provide for us over and over.  We've not struggled or wanted for anything.  We are careful with our money...and make wise choices, but to say we've gone without....I can not!  This trip is going to be a big expense that is well over what we're use to since going to only my income.  However, we felt it was important for me to continue to pursue the doors that have opened up over the past few years professionally.  Sunday...a man that use to be in the adult Sunday school class I teach came up to me. He proceeded to share that God had put it on his heart to pay for the hotel room we'll be staying in while in Fort Worth.  He is going to cash in all his "points" and put us up near the conference.  WHAT?!?!?!  I was blown away.  I had talked to him a bit the past Wed. about a grant I was writing to help pay for the trip, but never thought anything of our conversation.  Here is the kicker...he sent the link to where he was going to get our hotel room...it was the exact hotel my wife was going to book for us(has a great indoor pool for the kids!!).  

AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  & PTL!

ART EDUCATORS ARE GOOD PEOPLE

After "Flat Mr. E's" adventures at NAEA NYC...the generosity of Phyl for haulin' my picture around to take photos...all the teachers that posed with "me"....ya gotta realize art educators are just good people!!  THEN..out of no where...I received a package in the mail from NJ.  ??WHAT??  I wasn't expecting anything?!?!!?  Renee Collins from My Adventures in Positive Space sent me a package of goodies from conference!!!!!!  I've never met Renee in person...just one of my bloggie buddies here in cyber world.  I just think this testifies to the amazing community of people we have connected with in art ed blogging! I was so encouraged by Renee's act of kindness!!!!!  

If you don't know her blog....take a moment and visit it today!!!!

http://myadventuresinpositivespace.blogspot.com/ 

I'M GOING TO NAEA NYC! (kind of)

Phyl...from There's a Dragon in my Art Room ( http://plbrown.blogspot.com/)...has agreed to take the above image to NAEA NYC (she is a saint.. isn't she).  So...I'm kind of going.  If you are going to be there...and run into Phyl...sign me so I know we met!! (ha ha ha)  I hope I have a good time!!!!!!!!

Phyl....have I told you lately....YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!