As we get closer to the National Art Education Association Conference this weekend, the anticipation is building for all of the learning and fun to take place. In addition to attending some much anticipated sessions and meet-ups throughout the conference, I am really excited to share ideas and practices that take place in my classroom. Luckily for me, I get to do quite a bit of it at this year's conference. I think I decided to get involved in so many because I am not sure I will be going to New Orleans in 2015. I am looking forward to attending other teachers' sessions and hope you are looking forward to participating in at least one of mine.

Here's the plan for #naea14:

I arrive in San Diego right before this and signed up to be a part of this - hopefully my plane does not have other plans for me… 

Artsonia "Speed Networking" session on Friday, March 28th from 5-7pm in Room Aqua 310 / Level 3 of the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel

 I have two solo sessions this day.

12-12:50: Convention Center/Meeting Room 16B/Mezzanine Level
Flip, Blend, and Remix:
Learn how to integrate technology (like online assessment tools and portfolio builders) without losing the hands-on application of manipulating materials in the Art Classroom. Discover applicable and manageable methods to infuse technology in current curriculum as well as a road map for the future.

1:30 - 1:55 PM Convention Center/Meeting Room 12/Mezzanine Level
Dancing on Chairs (and Other Strange Strategies to Spark Student Engagement Starting on Day One)
Dancing on chairs to learn vocabulary and students evaluating teachers are just a few strategies for fostering a caring, creative environment—allowing students to be silly and have a say in their learning. Includes lesson plans, examples, and resources to spark student engagement! 

Sunday is all about connecting and collaborating! I am excited for the Sunday morning meet up and for everyone to show up in their #artsed San Diego gear! I will be ready with the magnifying glasses! I am also excited to start out the presentations with my good friend, Tricia Fuglestad and end the weekend with a great group! 

11-11:50: Convention Center/Meeting Room 33B/Upper Level
Look Who's Teaching! Students Direct Learning Through Video Production With Fugleflicks and Campbellartsoup
Video production turns students into teachers with an authentic audience. Be ready to integrate technology, turn teaching over to students, and rethink this emerging practice to empower your students. Best Practice Lecture

4:30-5:30: Convention Center Ballroom 20CD Upper Level
Come and see teachers share what they are passionate about in Art Education! I am going to share how I use clay and paint on the first day of school (I know, crazy, right). This will be a fun session with a lot of information in a short amount of time. I am excited! 

So, if you like Dawson's Creek, dancing, fast talking, and lots of arm gestures, you will not be disappointed in my presentation style. If you are interested in building an award-winning program whose students consistently place at competitions and connect with artists on a global scale, then you should probably take a peek in and see how I do so while leveraging the power of technology. 

In one week, Art teachers from across the country will flock to San Diego for the National Art Education Association 2014 conference. Here are 4 reasons I am super excited:

4. Escape from the Polar Vortex: Even though we are into our first weekend of Spring in Michigan, it still seems like winter. Flurries, barely above freezing temps, and cloudy skies have plagued me (the snow bank by my house is still as tall as me). Getting the opportunity to be in warmer weather is just the type of boost anyone from the Mid West will need to help fuel them through this conference and through the rest of the school year. 

3. Access to Resources: The conference offers teachers access to the vendors of favorite products. It is awesome to see live demos, participate in make-and-takes, and hoard the samples as you make your way through the booths. 

2. Learning New Things: One of my favorite things about attending any conference is taking back the new and interesting methods of instruction back to my classroom to benefit my students. Last year, one of my biggest take-aways was this printmaking process shown below. Being able to learn from teachers that are from across the country is something I value greatly! It helps me become a better teacher and bring back the best instructional resources and strategies to my students. 

1. Connecting with Others: I am most excited about seeing my friends from across the nation who I connect with regularly through Facebook and Twitter. I am particularly excited about our Sunday morning meet up (7 a.m. at the Hilton), where everyone is going to be sporting their #artsed San Diego gear! I feel really fortunate to have so many teachers to turn to for ideas, advice, and to share stories and resources throughout the year. It is an added benefit to be able to see them face to face at conferences like #naea14! 

This was the third time I have had the privilege to attend the annual MACUL conference. The first time was in 2010. That conference ignited the idea that I could do more with technology when I was willing to rethink how I wanted my classroom to function and how I wanted my students to think about their role in learning. I am walking away with the same feeling I did those years ago - an empowerment that I can make a difference in the lives of others, fostering positive change through the connections I make as a result of technology use both in and out of the classroom.

 In addition to hearing inspiring and thoughtful keynotes and sessions from Adam Bellow, George Couros, and Dean Shareski, I was invited to participate in some fun with the staged photo above resulting in the following tweets: 

I appreciated my time with them as they definitely practice what they preach. They find the fun in anything and take moments to say kind words and give their time to others they impact. Not a bad way to start a conference or spend your lunch. The Seinfeld references didn't hurt, either (the soup counts). 

This was my second time presenting at MACUL, and I got to do it three times! Each session offered a slightly different aspect of how I use technology in my classroom to blend learning, engage students, connect with others, and provide opportunities for my students to think beyond our classroom as they share their work with others. I was incredibly flattered by the positive energy and response from each presentation (especially to the dancing). 

It was awesome to finally meet so many people I connect with online and share what I do in my classroom face to face. I am really proud of the work I am able to do because of the support I am given from the place where I teach. I was also really excited to present with Tricia Fuglestad from Illinois, who was at MACUL for the first time! 

The presentation I am most proud of is the one I got to do with the people I work with everyday. Even though it was not the biggest session, it was the one that I felt offered others the full picture of what a school can look like when they have passionate teachers and leaders who understand and utilize the potential of technology in the classroom. It was powerful to see how learning can look when everyone is focused on student success both in school and beyond. 

There are so many things I could go on writing about, but instead I created the storify below that includes some of my highlights from the conference and what others had to say about my presentations. Thanks again for everyone who connected with me and I am excited to continue on those connections until we can all meet again at the next conference.