I have been wondering exactly how to approach this post for a while. 

I try to keep my personal life to myself for the most part. And I have done a pretty good job of doing that. I have a way of compartmentalizing my life because it helps me to be more effective in my work when I am focused on the task at hand. It is a tactic that has also helped me grapple with some hard truths throughout the years.

This year has been a tough one, though. And what I am feeling, I am certain, is probably not unique to me.

As I finished my 12th year of teaching, there was much I celebrated. It is arguably the most successful one I have had in my career. My students soared in competitions and I was personally invited to present about my passions in education in a variety of venues, including ECET2 (which blew my mind). If I started listing them off, not to sound conceded, it is impressive. 

But with every new accomplishment and accolade, I have had trouble with allowing myself to really celebrate it. 

This was also the year I was diagnosed with PCOS, which has helped explain why my husband and I have been unable to have a baby after 6 years of trying. 

My husband and I celebrated our 12th year of marriage this summer. And up until my 30's everything was really going according to plan. I graduated from high school, got engaged, graduated from college, got married, got a job, graduated from college again with my masters... all with great accuracy to the plan I had mapped out for myself early on and then some with added successes for both my students and myself.

But, some plans are beyond control... which is unfortunate.

And even more unfortunate is how I have allowed this personal biological lacking to seep into the otherwise joyful professional moments of last school year and tinge it with a feeling of failure for every success. 

I am not writing this post as a search for sympathy or even suggestions of what to do next. The truth is, I don't know what I want to do next in this aspect of my life. And that has to be okay for now. At least, it has to be for me because I am the one who has to face it. 

I am sharing in the hopes that if you are struggling, too, you know you are not alone. 

So, as I just celebrated my 35th birthday, I have some facts to face about how I plan to cope moving forward. 

It was important and the right time for me to share this part of my struggle. In the short run, it has been a rollercoaster of emotions, many of which include failure. In the long run, I know it will help me be more compassionate, more understanding, and more emotionally available to others both in and out of the classroom.

To anyone else who is struggling, too, just know you are not alone and that it is okay to feel sad, even when all evidence shows you otherwise.

As a quote from Vanilla Sky sums it up for me: Just remember, the sweet is never as sweet without the sour. 

​And the list goes on... 

The last list dealt with sessions from the conference (the ones I attended and the ones I was presenting). In my sights post, I listed places learning happened outside of the conference center. 

This post, though, is probably the most important. 

More than the place or the learning, a great conference happens because of the people who are there and the connections that are made. This year continued the traditions of meeting up with online friends (some I have known for nearly a decade now), meeting up with long-time friends, and even throwing some family in the mix.

I remember the first NAEA conference I attended. 

I was so nervous and more awkward than usual as I anxiously met many of my #artsedheroes face to face. I will never forget that first conference and how different it was this year; instead of feeling awkward and a little bit alone, I knew a friendly face around each corner and often met them with a hug and a smile. I am really proud of the relationships that have grown as a result of the connections I have made with other teachers at the conference and through social media. 

It makes saying good-bye at the end of the conference not so bad, because I know I am going to see and hear from them soon.

I have met so many generous teachers throughout the years - many online. I am so thankful for the connections I have made on Twitter and Facebook and how those connections have really transformed my approach to teaching (which I spoke about here).

These connections have led to keynotes in three States, published work, and so many ideas that have helped me become a better teacher and my students produce more meaningful work.

When I go to a conference, we swap stories of student success (and epic teacher fails) and laugh a lot in the process. We catch up on families, hometown happenings, and future endeavors. I am not sure if I will be at #NAEA17, but one thing that would draw me there is my #artsedPLN.

Carrie Jeruzal and I became friends during our first trip to Chicago, one day after meeting each other.

We were both enrolled in the Master of Arts in Art Education program at Western Michigan University. As a part of our Alternative Photo Processing class, we took an overnight trip to Chicago and toured many of the museums listed in this post. During that short time, Carrie and I became fast friends (she talked me into join MAEA and presenting at my first conference).

We were also roomies. 

So when it comes to conferences, we try to room together (as we did this year) making our "roomie" pic ever so fitting. 

My older sister, Elaine, is also an Art teacher. 

When I tell anyone that, they automatically make the leap that she must be the reason why I also became an Art teacher. I used to really deny that as even a possibility, but who am I kidding? Of course my older sister (the person I grew up idolizing and annoying) had an impact on my choice to become a teacher. 

I am so glad she has gotten back into teaching and attending conferences with me. I am thankful for her friendship, understanding, and ability to let me be me. 

We may not always be on the same page, but we are part of the same book.

I am thankful she is my sister and that I have family with which to share this experience. Although, I am sure we were both ready to go to our respective homes after several days of continuous contact... 

And the list goes on... 

In my last post, I spent the whole time reviewing places where learning happens outside of the conference center. It took me a few years to realize this was an important part of attending a National Art Education event (and I could really kick myself for not doing do sooner)...

However, it would not be much of a conference recap, if the sessions were not a part of it. Please feel free to post your favorite "ah-ha" moments, sessions, and favorite speakers in the comments below (because I selfishly want to know more). (disclaimer: This is in no way a comprehensive list of all the amazing things that happened at the conference - although I wish I could clone/time travel/speed warp during it so I could've offered that.)

It is always super charging to return from a great conference. Hearing inspiring stories, learning new techniques, and seeing amazing feats performed by my peers leaves me filled with hope (and some envy) that maybe I can do it, too. 

I try to be mindful in those moments because this time of year can be brutally difficult for me (I am still working up the courage to share more on that one). Seeing, learning, and sharing what is possible with others helps break me from the strangle-hold the mid-year blues can bring and I am incredibly thankful for that. 

Most of the vendors did not disappoint.

​They had their freebies ready (although some made you earn it through activities, which to be frank, I was kind of annoyed with) and some upped their game with interactive options to pose as your favorite work of art or artist. This is all very fun, but my favorite parts of being in the hall is to see what new things they are showcasing or what old things I can use in new ways...

It would not be a great conference without the presenters (most of whom give their time and expertise for free - even paying their own way to travel and attend the conference). If it were not for these teachers who spend months preparing proposals (many of which are rejected), getting together slides (although one of my favorite presentations this year had none), and taking their time away from attending sessions so they can help teachers like me learn more (and then pass that learning onto my students), there would be no conference.

From design thinking, to technology integration, TAB (Teaching Artistic Behavior), and more, the sessions did not disappoint and I am excited to bring everything I learned back to my classroom. 

I have had the privilege of presenting at conferences ever since Carrie (my conference buddy) convinced me to co-present with her at the 2008 MAEA Conference. I blame her for the giving me the sharing bug, that I probably will never shake. 

It also helps that I have seen some of the most inspirational speakers over the years (one of my first and most memorable is Rick Wormelli, who really made me think "I want to do that."). 

This year, I had the most fun presenting because the pressure was off a little. The two presentations I was in were with other teachers I admire and enjoy being around (Theresa McGee, Holly Bess Kincaid, Stacy Lord, and Cassie Stephens). If you did not get a chance to be a part of the fun, you can access the presentations below.

I approached Cassie Stephens with the idea of presenting together once a call for presentations became open. She was super gracious to accept and we had a blast working together on our presentation that explored how we use collaboration, permanent (and sometimes not so permanent) installations, and social media to connect with others to leave a lasting impact.

I have gotten to know Stacy, Theresa, and Holly over the past seven years (with our first face-to-face in 2013. These ladies are some of the best teachers (and friends) out there. It was a blast to respin our presentation (first tested out at #NAEA15) and share ideas about how we integrate technology, engage learners, assess students, and make meaningful connections in our classrooms. TEAM middle will hopefully be back again for #NAEA17 to share even more tips and tricks from the center of education. 

Every year is the best one yet.

There are so many things that happened this year that I could not have predicted and I am very thankful for that. Even so, there are some things I have yet to accomplish that I am very hopeful for in the coming year.

I do not have a list of resolutions, just a focus on wanting to be better, more positive, and hopeful for the "what ifs" that are both exciting and unknown. I know 2016 is poising itself to be ever better, but before I finally say goodbye to 2015, here are a few of the things that made it one heck of time in my life:  

This was the year I got back to making art on a semi-regular basis. It is funny to think as an art teacher I would have trouble making art myself. This year I made a point to carve out time to learn new techniques, paint paintings I have had in my mind for years, and explore what I love most: drawing. Here's to even more making in 2016!

This year was filled with sharing various tips and tricks for building, maintaining, and growing a great program. As a way to give back to the #artsed community that has helped nurture me into the teacher I am today, I feel it is important to share what has worked, what has not, and what is possible when you reach out, try new things, and let your students lead their learning experiences. FromMACUL, NAEA, AOE Live, #k12artsedchat, and finally MAEA, it was a blast to learn and share with teachers wanting to improve their craft, too!

​I already have some exciting ways I plan to share even more in 2016 (even as soon as January for ECET2 in San Diego), but I am very thankful for having the opportunities in 2015 to work both face to face and online with the best community I know! 

The biggest jump for me as a teacher has been from stepping back. I moved to a Design Thinking Process with students that focuses on making original works through the examination ofThemes. By allowing my students to take the lead when it comes to their learning, I have been amazed with how much more energized and excited I have become in the process.

​Instead of always knowing how things are going to turn out with each lesson, I am surprised with outcomes like a flowered-crocheted ski mask, golden venture jewelry, and many other new uses for symbols and materials that I might not have ever discovered without my students taking charge. I am so thankful that I took this leap into the unknown and am excited about the new discoveries to come in 2016!

Whatever 2016 brings, I know it will be greeted with a smile and a heart filled with hope. I had such a fun 2015 and am excited for whatever happens next! 

I get a ton of inspiration from my classroom by looking to other teachers. I am proud to call many of my #artsedheroes friends and look forward to our time when we connect at conferences. One of the great things about them is how I came to know them. I discovered them all online first before meeting face to face. The internet can be an amazing tool; it is a place where I gather ideas and sort out which ones will help me achieve my goals in my classroom and beyond. 

In addition to finding inspiration from teachers, I have recently been looking to other places on the internets. Here are a few places I regularly venture to for ideas and reminders.

Lauren's Lyst is a lifestyle blog by Lauren G Ireland. I am not really big on lifestyle blogs; I do not consider myself a fashionista, trendsetter, or even remotely stylish. What keeps drawing me back to this blog, though, is Lauren's hope-filled posts that reflect on enjoying life, both the one you have and the one you are building. From highlighting great sights, sweet treats, fun sips, and of course, great fashion, Lauren wraps up each post in personal stories which help remind me that making it personal matters (full disclosure: Lauren's grandmother is my great aunt). I appreciate the aspirational message Lauren offers and it acts as reminder of what I want to try to offer my students when they experience my classroom. 

He Fed, She Fed is a food blog by a couple who lovingly refer to themselves as Romeo and Juliet throughout their posts. I came across this site just a short time ago when trying to figure out where to get dinner in the Grand Rapids area and am sad to say that they concluded their run back in February. Even though their posts are no longer new, I have been enjoying reading back through their reviews and comparing it to my own opinion. Their honest take on food is a great reminder to trust myself and my taste about what is good and what is not. Sometimes I get caught up in hearing how great some restaurant is, and even if I try it a dozen times, I just can't seem to see what others do in it. This blog reminds me it is okay to call things as they I see them and not worry about what others think. 

Twitter is one of my favorite places to connect with teachers and seeing what new ideas and methods are being used to propel learning forward. It is also where I get to follow some of my favorite entertainers, which happen to include the two ladies pictured above, Lennon Parham and Jessica St. Clair. I first started following them after falling for their short-lived show BFF on NBC. I was really sad to see it go and was worried that would be the last chance I would see their shenanigans on air. I was incredibly happy to see them reappear on the USA comedy, Playing House. The show is filled with references and punch lines that makes me wonder if they are ease-dropping on my conversations. Their persistence is admirable and the way they connect with their fans is both fun and sincere. Their work towards living their dream reminds me to never give up on my own. 

One thing I will try to remember as I move into the school year is to keep searching out there for new places that inspire me. If you have a favorite place to find new ideas, please share below. 

Until next time, I will see you on the internets. 

I want to start out this post by giving a huge THANK YOU  to all of the teachers out there who tuned in, downloaded, or went back and viewed the #AOELIVE show last week (in case you missed it, I embedded the video below). It was exciting to see connections being made and great comments left on last week's post. 

Congratulations to Becky, who is the winner of the fun give-away from last week! The goodies will soon be on their way to you.

I was first approached by Andrew McCormick and Tim Bogatz at the NAEA Convention to potentially come on as a guest. I was very hesitant at first. Springtime is probably the most hectic time of year and saying yes to anything else usually ends in a massive headache and regret. So, I didn't really say no, but more of a not right now. Thankfully they came back to me this summer and asked again. 

Saying no is hard. At least it is hard for me. When I do it, I feel like somehow I am admitting failure or lack of ability. I also worry about missing opportunities and wondering if those chances will come around again. I am working on it, though, because I know that could not be further from the truth. I mentioned a book, "Good to Great" by Jim Collins in the #AOELIVE show. One of the reasons I like it is because it explains why saying no is key to growth (both in business and I would argue personally, too). 

If I say yes to every opportunity, something has to give eventually. Either my personal relationships or professional duties will be out of whack and the pressure that comes with saying yes and putting high expectations on what should be done for each commitment can be overwhelming. By trying to focus on being great at everything, I really lose focus of what matters most and it ends with half-way results; the frustration of trying to juggle too many things makes it so I can never really master what interests me most. I have taken on opportunities before because I was worried I might never have the chance again. I should have questioned that feeling, though. If it didn't ever happen because I said no at one time, then I probably don't want to be a part of it at any time. 

Sometimes a book is needed to give permission to say no. If you are looking for that permission, consider this it. I give you permission to say no and be okay with it, knowing if you are supposed to do it you will do it when the time is right. 

I hope everyone is enjoying their time back to school - mine will start eventually (September is only a couple of weeks away). 

Until then, I will see you on the internets!

There is a month left of freedom until I spend my days dictated by alarm clocks, hourly bells, and brief bathroom breaks. As I continue to plan for the upcoming year, I am spending quite a bit of time figuring out the activities for the most important day: the first one.

Since you can only make a first impression once, it is important that students get a clear understanding of what the class is going to be like and who I am. How I behave and what activities I plan sets the tone for every day that comes after. Instead of falling back on safe measures that bore students into complacency, I put forward a vision and challenge to my students to "Elevate to Excellence" as we dive into the school year. 

I have been lucky to have given presentations on this at the NAEA Convention andMACUL Conference and shared many of the ideas and reasons behind why I do what I do and how I manage it all. In case you missed it, here is a quick breakdown envisioning the best first day ever: 

Be Brave: 
Being a teacher is an act of bravery in itself. Anyone willing to put themselves in front of children every day and engage them in a way that helps learning stick despite all obstacles, is brave. The bravery that I am discussing for the first day of school should be a piece of cake compared to that. A few years ago, I threw caution to the wind and took a chance on my students and myself to do something on day one. Instead of doing the safe rules and expectations speech, I decided to engage students with the materials I know they long most to use each year: clay and paint. In order for this to work, I had to have faith in myself and move beyond the initial worries about messes and misbehavior. Instead of focusing on what could go wrong, I lead by living my vision of Art education with my students. We still went over rules and expectations; I just did it as students worked through activities like making collaborative paintings for our school and clay bowls for our annual Empty Bowls night. It has been five years since that first act of bravery, and I cannot imagine going back. 

Be Bold:
A student once told me that I was the second weirdest teacher in the building. I am not sure if it was the dancing, the rapid arm movements as I fast-talk, or what that got me that place, but I would like to think that my bold vision for my classroom and my students helped. As the Art teacher, I have the distinct opportunity to show learning everyday. Because I work with visuals, my students learning is evidenced through drawing, painting, photography and more and shared almost instantly with others; because I post and share online, it is archived, distributed, and can take on new forms and interactions that are both unplanned and offer deeper connections for my students. My students are shown this from the start, even before they enter my classroom. Using Artsionia (which automatically updates grades from the other building to my gallery - so AMAZING), I send out newsletters to parents and even invite students to participate in a summer upload. It has been awesome to see art coming in and for students and parents to get a glimpse of what the Art class is going to be like before they enter the classroom. When they do arrive on that first day, I share our activities and even get responses by artists we are already inspired by in class. By sharing my vision for my classroom in this way, students enter with a sense of purpose and are ready to be a part of the bold vision I have planned.

Be the Bearer of Possible:
It can be easy to be a Debbie Downer. The world is a tough place with a lot of scary things going on every day. I am not advocating forgetting that in place of a know-nothing mentality, but I think it is important to act as a light of opportunity for students so they can see what is possible. Art is the act of making the unseen seen. It is my job to help students reach within themselves and figure out what they want others to see so their voice is heard. I start the year with the motto "Elevate to Excellence," setting the tone for what is expected when they become a part of the program. Each year, the k-12 program does a presentation for our Board of Education, highlighting the accomplishments from the year. I use that video to finish off the first day, right after we have cleaned up our paint or clay. I am proud to say that many of my former students who have taken that challenge have been awarded various recognitions at the local, state, and national level. I want my students to leave my class on the first day of school with messy hands and their heads full of ideas for what they are going to do next because they were inspired by those that came before them.

If you are interested in hearing more, I am excited to talk about this and more on Tuesday with the guys from AOE Live:  

Now, the Give-Away: 
I have some back-to-school goodies to send your way if you leave a comment below about your favorite take-away from Tuesday's AOE Live, featuring even more ways to make this school year your best one yet. 

Congrats to Katherine, from the last give-away - check your email and I will send your FIA goodies post haste. 

Thanks for reading and I will see you on the internets! 

I have lived a very fortunate life so far. I have a great husband to share adventures with, a great job to share my life's passion, and a great hometown with my favorite Art museum in all of Michigan. Some people might not think of Flint as a great place to view Art, but they are mistaken. I am proud to call that city the place where I came from and enjoy visiting knowing I can always escape into the wonderful collection of works housed at the Flint Institue of Arts. 

I grew up surrounded by masters I know I can count on to make me feel welcome each time I go back. Krasner, Cassatt, Sargent, Hanson, Rickey, and so many others who would greet me time and again, kept me company through my journey into adulthood and as I transformed from student to teacher. Many of my college Art classes were taught in studio spaces connected to the FIA, which allowed me to easily go back and forth between classes and whisper my hopes and dreams to each piece as a promise that I would always return and that they would always be there when I did. 

The FIA has had a major remodel since I graduated from college. It is now a slick building with clean lines and when I visit, I am greeted with a wonderful Chihuly hanging from the ceiling and a Dine in the middle of the lobby. The diverse collection includes works from around the world, both ancient and contemporary, and is put together in a way that is both warm and inviting and makes me feel 18 again. 

During my last visit, my husband and I were approached by the Executive Director, John B. Henry. He engaged us in a conversation about art (specifically the Butterfield piece in their sculpture gallery) and we spoke several times during our time there. I do not recall any other museum where that has happened in my lifetime (and I have been to plenty of museums). I am grateful that I can call this place, that has been so welcoming over the years, an essential player behind my appreciation for Art. 

If you ever get a chance to make your way to Flint, MI, you must stop by the FIA. Here are some images from my visit there this past week:

Now for the give-away: What museums inspire you most and why? Is it the collection, the location, or an intangible essence that keeps you going back for more? Post below for a chance to win something I purchased during my last trip to the FIA!

The past few months have offered me a chance to step back, evaluate, and renegotiate. 


I took a break from this blog, worked on some things for NAEA, and spent some time away from the screen. I also had a chance to celebrate in NYC for the Scholastic Awards and think about what I want to do moving forward, both in my classroom and for myself. 

About three years ago on a very long and tiring trip from a conference, I struck up a conversation with the person next to me on the plane (yes, I am that person on a plane). As a nervous flyer, especially when flying solo, I find myself rambling to anyone I am next to as a way to calm the nerves and usually the person next to me is willing to comply. On this flight I happened to be sitting next to a therapist (what are the chances?!?!). We talked about our families and careers and I shared with her some feelings I had about not really knowing where I wanted to go next. During the conversation she explained to me a concept I had not considered before, but now think and do yearly: Renegotiating the Contract. 

During our conversation, I explained how I was a teacher and that I was starting a new road via blogging and social media. We discussed how this impacted both my professional and personal life and how sometimes things grew in stops and starts, making for awkward adjustments. While talking, she explained that I was relying on an understanding established almost ten years ago and needed to sit down and renegotiate the terms of both how I wanted my professional and personal life to function. Hearing this changed my perception of the growing pains I was feeling and helped usher in a method for reflecting on my life as well as planning for the future. 

Here are some helpful tactics I use to help me focus on what I want as I negotiate the terms for my life's goals (as adapted from NOLO): 

1. Break It Up: Rather than lumping everything into one big group and taking an "all or nothing" approach, consider each goal separately. I like to think of this as a tree and each part a branch that stems from the trunk. If one area of the tree is not as developed as the other, it is okay because they all feed into the base and I know I can look at those other areas later for development. I can think about family goals, career goals, and personal goals as separate entities that sometimes intertwine, but are not always dependent on each other. By compartmentalizing these things, I can examine each separately and then think about how they fit into the larger picture.

2. Prioritize: Thinking about the tree analogy and moving it a bit further, when looking through the contract I have made with myself over both work and life goals, I start with the most important things towards the trunk and work my way up. By focusing on what is most important first, I can then look to the off-shoot areas and decide which help feed into that goal. It is overwhelming to look at what others are doing at times, by spending the time looking inward and prioritizing what I am interested in doing, it helps alleviate that anxiety and provides a roadmap for moving forward. 

3. Just the Facts: Sometimes the mind and heart just do not agree. This conflict between facts and feelings can halt progress on goals for moving forward. I often have to give myself a reality check and face the facts when confronted with feelings that counter. For example, I would love to attend every conference available. Doing so comes at a cost of time, money, and health. So, facing the facts in this case are important and it gives me less guilt or fear of missing out. This is one of the reasons I have been a little bit more absent as of late on social media. I admire others who can "do it all" and have faced the fact I am not one of them. I am okay with that (for now). 

There are more things to consider in this process, but these few resonate with me. Good luck in whatever goals you set and the map you lay out to get there. If you have any particularly good negotiating tips, please share. 

One of the best parts of my job are key moments during the year that give me opportunities to pause, reflect, and pace my actions to build and maintain momentum both personally and professionally. Spring Break is an important marker every year. Those ten days of time spent away from grading, lesson plans, and time with nature, art, and my family help me take a beat to breathe and visualize how I will finish the school year in a way that propels the upcoming school year even stronger than this one. 

This Spring Break, I had the opportunity to travel to a long-time favorite destination of The Smokies in Tennessee. In addition to hiking up to Charlie's Bunion with my husband, we made sure to spend time exploring the Art Museum and River Arts District in Asheville, North Carolina. It was nice to take this time and focus my energies on physical and mental fitness, both of which allowed me to reflect on my classroom and how I can bring in aspects of mindfulness and exploration into the fold of art-making, rather than sticking with the daily grind. 

This year has been an interesting one for me professionally. I have had a lot success with students and received professional recognition in the process. It is also the year I have given the most control to my students through the use of theme-based inquiry with choice in the classroom. It is a year that I have grappled with still having one foot in a more open studio, with another in the realm of teacher directed methods. 

During my time exploring art in Asheville, I could not help but feel a responsibility to continue on my journey towards leading students to view themselves as artists and push them to explore ideas using methods and means that invent along the way. This became searingly obvious through the work I viewed in the Art Museum and during my time in the River Arts District. 

The Asheville Art Museum is a pleasure to attend. If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend it. It is an intimate space that has a wonderful collection of work that includes some of my favorites like Chuck Close, Jim Dine, and Louise Nevelson. It also features an "Art Play(ce)" where children (or people like me) are invited to play with manipulatives to explore ideas with design and space. 

In addition, they had an installation in the museum by Sharon Louden called Community, encouraging participants to interact with the shimmering display by photographing themselves within the space and using social media to share their experience. This ability to easily interact was something I enjoyed about this Museum. Even the bathroom was a testament to the accessibility of art through a street-style mural that included broad mark making, wheat paste overlays, and sharpie designs. If you are in the area, I strongly suggest you check it out (and then have lunch at The Chestnut, because it is delicious).

The River Arts District was also a great stop to make. I enjoyed being able to enter smaller gallery spaces and working studios where artists were busy at work and focusing on the creative process. It is always inspiring to see what work is being made using a diverse set of materials for a variety of purposes. I particularly enjoyed the artists who took the time to talk with me and offer me insight to their process as well as leads on how to get free supplies. If you are ever in the area, I would recommend stopping by Stephen Lange's studio to see his works created with reflective tape as well as the stampbord work by Stephanie Grimes. It was a reminder to push my students to find their voice as an artist by opening options in the classroom.