Professional Development Workshops Galore!!

  The Alabama Alliance for Arts Education 21/2 day workshop was just a fantastic experience!  FACS teacher Diane Bernasconi from Spanish Fort High school and I set out on this adventure only to be bombarded with  many fabulous art projects that we actually made ourselves and continued to complete on our own time, sometimes working until 10 0'clock at night! Our instructors were extremely knowledgeable; teaching us paper/fabric marbling, painting, poetry, stain glass jewelry art and the importance of movement/dance to keep class periods energized.  Now, I have great ideas for art projects that I will feel comfortable incorporating into my curriculum.

  Here I am dropping the paint into the marbling pan prior to dipping the paper and fabric to make a marbled design.  It was so fun because you never knew how the imprint would turn out!

  I always wanted to be an art teacher so this is my chance to be one!  Tomorrow starts the beginning of school for 2013-2014- my 10th school year at Fairhope Middle School!  Cheers to teachers and students!

Summer Reflections!

  As always my summer is tightly scheduled which probably contributes to the time flying by.  I'm now at the bottom of my to-do-list which always gives me a welcome feeling of accomplishment.  It has been a fantastic break!  The SREB conference was amazing.  It was thrilling to see over 100 people in attendance for my "H.O.T.S. for education" presentation on Friday, July 19th.  Thanks to all in attendance and for your comments and well wishes as I look forward to seeing you again next year in Nashville. We were even able to see Baby Beau on our return trip from Charlotte where he gave me a few precious chuckles.  So adorable!
 One of the BIG projects on my list this summer was to create a craft room for sewing, painting and projects.  Fortunately, my husband and son, Matt Wilkins, got on board to see this through.  It started with moving furniture, cleaning out drawers and closets, painting walls; then laying out the plan on graph paper, locating the cabinets and installation.  It's a dream come true to have this functional space all my own!

 One more week of professional development and then it will be back to the early morning school schedule. I must say, that as much as I love my time off there is something to be said for the productive work routine and getting to know my new students that I actually enjoy! Cheers to my 10th year of teaching! God bless and  be safe!