The Focus is Students

“Every child is born with a vivid imagination. But just as a muscle grows flabby with disuse, so the bright imagination of a child pales in later years if he ceases to exercise it.” - Walt Disney

Every Monday little treasures like the above quote grace my mailbox. Some deal with business concepts, while others deal with creativity and critical thinking. They always have their roots in positive and progressive forward thinking for the youth of this country. We need to keep such thinking in the forefront of our own work as we reopen the art rooms in this Commonwealth for the beginning of a fresh new school term.

Sometimes these thoughts get lost in our everyday world of being art educators. We need to deal with planning and implementation of lessons. We struggle with budgets and preparation of supplies. We work with students, administrators, school boards, parents, members of the community, and even occasionally fellow art education colleagues. Through all of this our focus needs to be art education to improve the lives of the students we are teaching.

Following Walt's observations, students need to be nurtured to utilizing their vivid imagination of all aspects of their lives. Students come to us in their early years with an uninhibited passion for creativity, expression, and genuine excitement for all we present to them. As that enthusiasm naturally wanes, art educators have at their disposal the skills and knowledge to empower students with this natural gift, which can be, utilized their entire lives regardless of the occupation they choose.

As you prepare for this year's offerings in your classroom, take a little time to pre analyze what you will be teaching. Is it standards based and relevant to student's lives? Are the events that happen in your classes meaningful in relation to the whole picture of a student's experience? We need to get away from the stereotype time fillers and art experiences that are little more than a pleasant experience in a student's day. Significant art education needs to occur everyday across this state. During this analysis, also take the time to pre analyze how you are teaching this material. I have seen art classrooms with outstanding lesson material and very poor delivery experiences. Excellence at both fronts will yield a powerful art education experience that students will utilize throughout their adult lives. Wouldn't it be great to have adults in this Commonwealth who use their vivid imaginations in every aspect of their and our lives!

It most likely will continue to be a very difficult year for art education in Pennsylvania . The trend is not subsiding soon. We must continue to be articulate, unified, and steadfast in our vision and journey to make art education and necessary part of every child's education in this state. That necessity begins with the student. We must arm students with the skills and knowledge to make them not only better citizens, but creative and innovative citizens that make life choices which will improve the lives of everyone they come in contact with, We all need to have this goal a high priority.

The end of the October PAEA Conference in Lancaster will bring with it the end of my term as your President. It has been a privilege and pleasure to serve in this role over the past two years. I have had numerous opportunities to crisscross the state and work with many members in many capacities. A blessing has been working with the PAEA Board and Leadership Council. The leadership, which is the PAEA Board of Directors, is exceptional. This group of professionals has been delightful to work with. They are hard working, innovative, creative, and ready at a moment's notice to work on any issue. I am deeply indebted to them. As you will see, excellence in leadership in PAEA is a hallmark and a tradition. It will continue for many years to come thanks to dedicated volunteers who serve in various capacities.

I thank you for allowing me to have this opportunity to serve and I look forward to 2 years in the role of Past-President.

During my travels and conversations I have met many art educators who were going through troubling and sometimes inconceivable experiences. Focus and unity has gotten them through. Several years ago in the city of Erie I was able to share some lyrics from a very significant song from one of my favorite singer/songwriters. Today as then these words have much significance.

We dreamers have our ways, of facing rainy days and somehow we survive.
We keep the feelings warm; protect them from the storm, until our time arrives.
And then one day, the sun appears. And we come shining through those lonely years.

I made it through the rain. I kept my world protected.
I made it through the rain. I kept my point of view.
I made it through the rain, and found myself respected by the others who, got rained on too…and made it through.

It's all about instruction and learning.

Tom Kelchner