​Salena graduated in 2005 from UW-River Falls with a Bachelor of Science in Art Education.  Her teaching career started in 2006 in Eagle River at the Northland Pines School District as a long term substitute teaching K-5 art at three elementary schools.  “My first teaching experience taught me to be super organized and to plan ahead.  Traveling to three different schools was a challenging experience, but it also allowed me to feel connected to so many students and staff members.”  Salena would stay the following year at Northland Pines as a paraprofessional for Title 1, and continue subbing in neighboring school districts.  

In 2011, she was hired at the Minocqua J1 School District as the K-8 art teacher, teaching over 650
students a week. In addition to teaching, she was the costume director for the drama department, taught community education classes after school, and coached middle school track and field.  Every spring she would showcase 1,200 works of art in conjunction with the school's STEAM night. “I loved working at MJ1!  It was wonderful to teach in the community where my family was.  Teaching middle school was a new experience for me, but taught me to embrace their goofy, awkwardness. Transitioning between kindergarten one hour, to 8th grade the next, definitely makes you flexible and appreciate each age!”
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In 2016, after a big move across the state, Salena is currently teaching at the RIver Falls School District at Westside Elementary School.  Salena says, “It is wonderful being back in the Western region of the state.  I am blessed to be a part of the River Falls School District.  The school district and community have a love of the arts that is reflected throughout this beautiful little town.  Teaching at Westside has been a wonderful experience; it is where I belong.  When I am teaching, I feel in my element.  My hope is that I can create relationships with students that will last a lifetime.”

Good morning, Art Educators! We have posted our 2020 Vision Conference Brochure as well as a link to the conference website.** We are excited to announce that the Wisconsin Art Education Association will be collaborating with all of the fantastic art education associations listed above! There will be many sessions for project ideas and techniques provided by vendors as well - just not set up at the big long tables we know and love.

This is a unique opportunity for professional development, personal networking, and exercising your teaching and learning muscles to gain new knowledge and experiences - all safely from your desk at home or school!
Registration will be open in September for all members.

**The website will not be fully accessible to the public until registration opens on September 15th.

Art Teacher of the month for June is Becca Handy, a K-12 art teacher in Alma Center Humbird Merrillan 

I am a first year K-12 art teacher that focuses on holistic teaching and accepting others. I am originally from Sparta, WI. I graduated college in 2019 from UW-Stout. I'm currently employed through the school district of Alma-Center Humbird Merrillan. 

Please join the fun and share with your students!
VIRTUAL ALL ARTS DAY at Oconto Falls Elementary School is for EVERYONE!
The goal of this day is to provide enrichment and awareness of the four Fine Arts for students in grades 4K-5. Dance, Theater, Music and Art are the focus for the entire day! (Virtual responses are only art & music this year though.)

With the "safer at home" order issued, the challenge was to still provide this opportunity to our students, and potentially even more students throughout the country, given its virtual format. I'd like to share this out so you can provide this for your students too. There are 10 presenters. Each video is about 20 minutes long. Some are interactive, some are observation only.

Please enjoy and share!
https://sites.google.com/of-ps.org/2020-aad/welcome

Kelly Kokko-Ludemann
5K-5 Art Specialist
Oconto Falls Elementary School
kelly.kokkoludemann@of-ps.org
(920) 848-4476

Angie Szabo  from Fort Atkinson High School

I am both an art educator and artist. My passion for the arts began in the quiet moments of childhood, was fostered by amazing art teachers, and has followed me into adulthood through a career and personal life defined by the visual arts. I am a high school art teacher, the wife of a talented Native American Artist, mother to three talented little artists, a member of the Black Hawk Artists, an advisor to the FAHS chapter of National Art Honor Society, and an active member of the local art community.
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