It is time for the great teacher migration to begin again. We teachers begin to make our way back to our homes and back to our work. Having traveled, learned, created, rested, relaxed, and slept, we return to our work this month and next with a renewed sense of determination, passion, and hope to begin our next cycle of important work as art educators.
When reflecting upon our annual cyclical journey as teachers, I thought about the birds I saw during my travels. Birds migrate for many reasons, but mostly for survival. For educators, these summer months—or, perhaps only a few weekends away—help us to recalibrate, reconnect, and replenish some of our most important resources of patience, creativity, growth mindset, exploration, and inspiration. Summer helps us to fill our own well so that we can do the important work of helping to fill others. In what ways have you replenished your own resources this summer?
Another migration will soon be on the way—the gathering of Florida’s art educators for the FAEA Annual Conference in Ponte Vedra Beach! I advise that you begin requesting necessary support from administration, supervisors, and budgets as soon as possible to secure your attendance for the conference that will be held November 7-10. FAEA has exciting new frameworks shaping our conference that will enable you to articulate the professional development you will receive easily to others. Our coming together strengthens art education in Florida through learning, research, advocacy, and celebration. It helps us thrive as vibrant, informed, engaged, and knowledgeable art educators.
As you navigate your way back to your work, keep in mind that you will be the favorite part of many students’ days. They’ve been thinking about you this summer and can’t wait to make art again. You will be the joy. You will help students find their voice. You will be the curator of the visual representations of student learning happening at your place of work. You will be the teacher that gives students power to create, shape, connect, imagine, and grow.
Lastly, please enjoy
this video
of a flock (or flamboyance) of flamingos during their travels of migration. I hope your break, however short or long, was just as much fun!
See you in November!
Lark Keeler
FAEA President
