Professional Development Opportunities: WAEA Sponsored Events

Dustin Anderson

WAEA Elementary Representative

The 2014 WAEA Fall Conference has come to a close. It is again that time of year when we all go back to our daily routines implementing new ideas and concepts we inherited from a speaker, a workshop, or a vendor during two great days at the WAEA conference. Although the WAEA fall conference is perhaps one of the most popular professional development activities art teachers endure during the school year, don't let it be the only one. WAEA board members work hard to provide opportunities to members all over the state throughout the year. Maybe you have heard of some of these workshops that have been offered annually in the past.

Lesson Exchanges: Lesson exchanges have become popular events that have been hosted at local schools, museums, and art supply companies. Lesson exchanges are a great way to get fresh new ideas to take back to your classroom. K-12 lessons are discussed and can usually be adapted to any grade level that you may teach. Educators who attend walk away with a binder of lesson plans along with an unprecedented amount of resources and support. Black River Falls and Wisconsin Rapids hold lesson exchanges annually in February. Other locations have appeared in the past couple of years as well.

MPS Meeting of the Minds: Milwaukee Public School art teachers annually hold a dinner gathering to support and advocate for art in the MPS system. Dani Graff, WAEA Treasurer, has been spearheading this event for the past couple of years. This is usually a summer event prior to the start of the school year.

S.T.E.A.M Workshop: S.T.E.A.M. Workshops have been held at the University of Lacrosse for the past several years. The workshops are full of information and hands on activities that assist in incorporating the arts into core curricula like science, technology, engineering, and math. The last S.T.E.A.M. Workshop was held in October, but rumor has it that the one-day event will be turning into a “conference” of its own. How exciting! Stay tuned for more details.

Discounts on Workshops: WAEA members receive special savings on registration to WAEA workshops. This year $25.00 off registration was given to educators enrolled in Rhinelander School of the Arts, the S.T.E.A.M workshop, workshops held at John Michael Kohler Arts Center, and workshops held at UW-Milwaukee. Keep watching your email for great savings that only WAEA members receive.

Stay on the lookout for 2015 professional development opportunities sponsored by the WAEA. If you have other ideas for professional development or would like more information about current offers, please contact me:

Dustin Anderson

WAEA Elementary Representative

waeaelementaryrep@gmail.com