Maria Mason
elementary@wiarted.org

Greetings, I am a K-5 art specialist in La Crosse Wisconsin working at an international school with a Spanish immersion program.  This is my 7th year teaching art. The one thing I have always wanted to do is to teach children in a studio setting and last year was my inaugeral try at it.  It’s better known as Teaching for Artistic Behavior with a following/support group on a yahoo list serve. (Engaging Learners Through Artmaking:  Choice-Based Art Education in the Classroom Douglas & Jaquith, 2009) http://teachingforartisticbehavior.org/

Basically the room is set up with different studio areas. The grade levels still work in a curriculum but the art is child-based experimenting with guidance & prodding from me.  If you’ve already done the math you can see that my certification places me under PI-34, second five year stint. I will be incorporating the studio concept in my 5 year plan.

Other than that, I’ve been on the WAEA board in many other capacities; West Central VP, Membership Chair and now filling in for Elementary.  Why do I keep coming back?  Well, there are two reasons: 1. the people!  This is a great group of people to work with, share ideas and make things happen.  2. I believe in the goals and mission of WAEA and NAEA. We are fortunate to have a state-wide organization to lean on for advocacy and professional development.  

I would love to hear from you. What are you doing that works?  Where do you need help? My role is to listen, share and help you make connections with other elementary art specialist in our state and beyond. – I’m thinking ‘road trip!’ I’m just an email away at elementary@wiarted.org