Congratulations to Visual Art Faculty Sharing at NAEA

Congratulations to Round Rock ISD Visual Art faculty who had accepted for inclusion in the program for the 2011 NAEA (National Art Education Association) National Convention in Seattle, Washington, March 17-20, 2011. Tiffany Asha (Deerpark MS) will be presenting Coming to an Understanding:The Role of Art Education in Teaching about Islam.  Kara Hallmark (Union Hill ES) will be presenting E-Portfolios and Process under Best Practices.  Tim Lowke (Cedar Ridge HS) will be presenting PowerArt – Integrating Art and Math.  We are proud of these three faculty members on this prestigious, national accomplishment and their commitments to applying and sharing best visual art education practice with students, peers and the national association.

Live Oak Students Reaching Out Around the World

Live Oak art teacher, Gayle Clark, received an invitation for Live Oak Elementary to participate in providing artwork for the Miracle Foundation. This non-profit organization supports orphanages in India. Live Oak is sending student artwork to decorate the walls of an orphanage in Ranchi, India.  All artwork completed in the art club will be hand delivered to this small village.  Later our new friends in Ranchi, India will be sending their artwork to decorate the hallways at Live Oak Elementary School.   Way to go Gayle! 

TAEA Middle School Art Educator of the Year

It is my pleasure to announce to our district that Cecelia Pichini, Visual Art Faculty at Walsh Middle School has been selected the Texas Art Education Association Outstanding Middle School Division Art Educator for 2010. 

Cecelia was chosen from a statewide slate of nominees that the TAEA awards committee found powerful and thus presented an enduring challenge to the committee for their final determinations. 

Ms. Pichini is a model art educator who throughout her career has challenged and inspired students to achieve, create, think and produce to their fullest potential.  Cecelia continually shares resources and ideas with her visual art colleagues, presents professional development both on the local and state levels, has published in art education journals and hosts student teachers / observers extending her model practices beyond her art room and into the larger, visual community.  In addition, Cecelia continues to produce art of her own --- you can see her latest work in our current RRISD Faculty Show (www.rrisdfacultyshow.wordpress.com).

Please join me in congratulating Cecelia Pichini on being honored for her role and dedication to promoting quality visual arts education not only in Round Rock ISD, but in the State of Texas!

Texas Art Education Association will celebrate our 2010 Award Recipients at the Opening First General Session of the 49th Annual TAEA Fall Conference entitled Nurturing the Creative Spirit; Keep Art Weird at the Austin Convention Center, Friday, November 12, 2010, 2-4pm.

The RRISD Visual Art Faculty is EXTREMELY proud of Cecelia and this accomplishment in her career! 

For additional information on the Conference or TAEA, visit www.taea.org