Learning Networks: my current relationship with contribution vs consumption

Several years ago my work bestie/colleague/classroom neighbor and I joined our state and national art education associations. We attended our first couple of conference sessions and quickly thought, “why don’t we do this!” That summer we wrote some proposals and soon started presenting at the annual conferences. In doing so, we grew our network of fellow art educators quite rapidly.  I really enjoyed connecting with like-minded individuals from around the state and nation in person and via the forums and groups within these professional organizations. 

I joined the Design Issues Group and TAB (Choice-based art education) group within NAEA and as an IB teacher, I also networked with other international school art teachers as much as possible.  After our first couple of conference presentations, my friend and I were bombarded with emails from teachers asking for more information or for resources that we had shared so we started our own website to manage this. We even sent email newsletters out for a while, but after both of us had new babies we slowly put this on the back burner. 

For the first year ever I feel like I have been extra uninvolved in any education community. I get numerous emails from my groups but have chosen to not be part of the conversation.  In reflecting on my current lack of contribution to the world of art education, I decided that due to recently going through a difficult personal situation, I should assume the role of a consumer for a bit longer. Conference proposals are due in June, so I have until then to decide how I will contribute next.

My 3 favorite Art Education Related Professional Networks:

• https://www.arteducators.org. National Art Education Association
  • NAEA is the national standard for visual art education in the USA, need I say more. If you miss a convention, they offer monthly webinars, virtual conferences and an extensive list of opportunities to develop your skills and connect to like-minded educators.
• https://www.taea.org Texas Art Education Association
  • I might be partial but I would say that for a state organization they are one of the best. They have been around since 1919 and due to their many initiatives such as Youth Art Month, you would be hardpressed to find a Texas district that doesn’t support teacher membership.
• https://theartofeducation.edu Global Online Art Education Network.
  • I met the founder of the Art of Ed a few years back at an NAEA convention. Not that she would remember me, but I remember her. I highly recommend their courses and online conferences. They are just the right length to fit into busy art teacher life, plus you can fulfill your PD hours from the comfort of your couch.

Outside of the art world, I am a member of the following learning networks. Starting in the 2017-2018 school year my focus began to shift from art education to technology and organizational change. I have mostly been networking with leaders from within my charter organization and by doing so I have recently been able to contribute to special initiatives and represent my charter in a whole new way.

• https://www.cteonline.org  California Career Technical Education
  • I don’t teach or live in California but I have found many helpful resources and lesson ideas here for my classroom.
• https://www.ibo.org/en/jobs-and-careers/ib-educator-network/ The IB Educator Network 
  • As an IB teacher and examiner, I am in IBEN so of course, this network is a no-brainer for me. They provide great resources for global education however, I do not think it is open for public registration. 
• http://blogs.ibo.org   IB Blogs is open to the public and easy to navigate
• https://teachercenter.withgoogle.com/communities Google Educator Groups 
• https://plus.google.com/u/1/communities/115170733523122738502 South Texas Google Educator Group
  • I recently joined this local google education group and I am excited to see where it takes me. Joining also reminded me to put taking my Google Educator Certification test in my planner so it gets done.
• https://ncsc.publiccharters.org National Charter Schools Conference
  • This conference is a great place to network, leaders from around the nation gather for 3-4 days of intense conversation. (The exhibit hall also has really awesome swag.) My favorite booth was PenPal schools, their platform is an amazing way to connect learners from across the globe. I was fortunate to be invited to speak on a panel at last year’s conference and I am crossing my fingers that I get to the summer 2019 conference.
• For a full listing of my go-to learning networks and digital resources click here.