MAEA Conference Day 2

Well we went back to the hotel and practiced some more since we did not have to end up presenting the first day. Practice went well, but it still wasn't the real thing. 

Saturday we woke up early and saw a keynote speaker on more the science of art education in schools. It was good information, but not as interesting as the first keynote with the real life story that we could relate to better.

After we went to prepare for our presentation and the room was small. As the time came, it filled up though! We had about 25 people come to listen to our presentation. The presentation took about 30 minutes, which was quicker than we anticipated but always as everyone gets in front of others, we tend to speak faster and get nervous. Not many questions, but one girl from Northern was particularly interested because their student chapter was not very active. They wanted to know more about fundraising and she was so excited that we were up and presenting what we had done. 


Along the day, we went to some other workshops, played with stuff, and met a lot more people! Michelle and I worked at our GVSU NAEA table, advocating for Grand Valley. Some people came through, but not many because our display/table wasn't much compared to all of the vendors. 

Michelle and I also went to a workshops that was hands-on. They gave us a CD of all the lesson plans plus more so that we could all share them and use them in our classrooms. There were quite a few ideas that we can use for all different ages of kids in the classroom. Everyone was very helpful and excited about what we were doing!


Our last presentation was successful but small. Only 3 people showed up to listen to it because it was so late and the room that we were assigned was back in the corner of the hotel so it was hard to find. The first person to show up was a student from Michigan State University, a teacher from East Kentwood, and a teacher from St.Mary' s in Leland where one of our members went to school. All of these people were awesome because it was more interactive with them, more of a panel rather than a presentation. Kati was also able to come which was great. The teacher from East Kentwood told us that she has a lot of connections with other teachers within the grand rapids area and if we are ever looking for teachers with a certain emphasis to work with, that she can help us out. She also told us that we can come to her classroom whenever we would like! It was a great experience!

MAEA Conference Day 1

Well we got here! It took a lot of work, but we made it!

First, of all...the free bags, the pride and joy of the conference are AMAZING!

We began our day with a Keynote Speaker, Betsy Abeel and her very touching stories that her and her daughter have been through throughout their lives. Her daughter had learning disabilities but worked very well in creative writing. This is where she excelled and she ended up working with a local artist and together they collaborated to create a book that soon became a booming inspiration for many students across the world.


We had planned to present at 11am this morning and 5pm on Saturday, but the schedule got somewhat messed up. So today, we hung out and just experienced the conference for what it was. Tomorrow, now, we have to present twice, 11 and 5. We have practiced and hopefully it goes well!

As our presentation got cancelled, there were some who did want to see us. In this case, we met someone who seemed very important, Bob who is the President of the RAEA (Retired art educators association). He gave us a lot of information regarding scholarships and a lot of opportunities that lie ahead of us in the future and we cannot wait to be involved with them someday.


Today was most of our first times at the MAEA conference. There were a lot of art educators, but not as many students as I had hoped. The workshops and events are very fun and insightful to use for small ideas in our classrooms. As a student sponsorship awardee, I had to volunteer at the MAEA student chapter table and I met quite a few fun people there and got some great ideas. We thought of some more ideas for some future workshops as well!

More to come tomorrow!

Rest Peacefully Anne Kotchman

On October 6th 2011, we lost one of the most important people there was. Anne Kotchman, my art teacher, my choir director, and overall, my friend. She was driving to school one day, when she hit some loose gravel and went off the road.Her car skid and hit a tree and she was killed on impact. It does not feel like it has been a year, it still doesn't even feel like it happened. All of the Cardinal Mooney family was so lost when we lost one of the best teachers there was. As I talk to some classmates, we still do not think it is real life.

Mrs. Kotchman was an inspiration for everyone. She was so lighthearted and loved everyone. She got so excited when everyone hit the right note in choir or we understood something in art. She is my inspiration to become the art teacher that I want to be. She made such a huge impact on me. I plan to pass on her enthusiasm to my students and to everyone I meet. Mrs. Kotchman was so much more than a teacher. 

 I want to go back to her classroom and talk to her about the future, my future. I want to observe her for all of my classes to have everyone see how wonderful she is. I want to go back and ask her what I need to do to become a great art teacher as well. All I want is her here.