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I recently had the honor at NAEA Minneapolis, to represent the Board of PAEA and receive from Dr. Bonnie Rushlow, the NAEA Presidential Citation on their behalf. This national award is a testament to all of the hard work that goes on every year by the Art Educators who take time out of their busy lives to volunteer for our cause.
This national recognition is not given out every year, and to have PAEA’s Board receive this honor was an exceptional occurrance !!! My heart was pounding as I walked out on the huge stage and I thought of all of the present and past Board members who tirelessly give of their precious time to accomplish incredible feats for the Art teachers and Art students of Pennsylvania.
Our PAEA mission statement reads: “The Pennsylvania Art Education Association actively supports and promotes visual art education through professional development,leadership, and service.”
When I first joined PAEA I was an Art Education student at Arcadia ( then Beaver College) , starting my second career. Several speakers that had come to visit my seminar classes spoke of our profession Art Education with such enthusiasm and respect. They represented excellence in Art Education by sharing their knowledge with pre-service students. They represented the best practices in the field, each in their unique way. “Lead through example” is a term that so effectively describes the incredibly strong ethic that was being exemplified. I should not have been surprised as I discovered that each of these speakers had for many years been very active members of PAEA and NAEA !!!
Fifteen years later, as President I can see the present and future of PAEA is very bright. We continue to advocate and educate on the importance of Art in education at every level ,pre K through Graduate studies. I encourage every PAEA member to help us lead through example. Be an active member, tell us what you do in your Art classroom that is amazing , incredible and inspirational.Yes… we need you to join in through sharing advice to colleagues through our website and upcoming PAEA membership NING site.
Propose a workshop in your area, present at the PAEA 2009 Conference in Malvern, PA, write an article for our newsletter. As we share and continue to communicate with each other we can continue to create a positive force for change and improvement collectively our voice is strong . At times we all need encouragement as we face the daily struggles to maintain and grow our Art programs, be an active part of PAEA’s positive energy. Share, debate, assist, vent, inform, inspire !
We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you !!!!
Christine Besack , PAEA President
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