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Contains 2 Component(s) Includes a Live Web Event on 11/19/2026 at 7:00 PM (EST)
[November 19, 2026] Join us for the next Artist Connections, an exclusive online series for students who are members of a National Art Honor Society chapter. Each live Zoom event features a 30-minute artist talk followed by a 30-minute student-led interview and Q and A, giving members the opportunity to connect directly with inspiring artists and creative leaders.
Artist Connections: Open Studio Conversation With Shannon Downey
Thursday, November 19, 2026
Cost: FREE!Join us for the next Artist Connections, an exclusive online series for students who are members of a National Art Honor Society chapter. Each live Zoom event features a 30-minute artist talk followed by a 30-minute student-led interview and Q and A, giving members the opportunity to connect directly with inspiring artists and creative leaders. Sponsors also receive pre-event instructional materials to spark discussion and can access the recording afterward to watch on demand or share during chapter meetings.
This month, students will meet Shannon Downey—an artist, activist, craftivist, community builder, and author who uses craft-based art to bring people together and inspire meaningful social change. Through storytelling, creativity, and collective action, Shannon encourages makers to become changemakers while exploring how art can build community and imagine a more hopeful future. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from this amazing artist and ask your own questions during the live student interview.
This event is open to both art educators and students from National Art Honor Society (NAHS/NJAHS/NEAHS) Chapters.
▪️If you are a sponsor registering students, please complete the registration form and forward the email confirmation, including the Zoom meeting link, directly to your students in accordance with your school’s privacy and online learning policies.
▪️If you are registering for yourself and not for students, please complete the registration form. You can skip the questions related to NAHS. Completing the registration form is necessary to receive the Zoom link, as you will not be able to join the meeting through our Professional Learning Studio.Sponsors are encouraged to share Shannon's artwork and biography with students ahead of the event. During the registration process, there will be a section for submitting student questions for the Q and A session.
Resources for National Art Honor Society Sponsors:
▪️Download the pre-event handout and biography.
▪️Download the pre-event Slide Deck presentation or access the Google Slides presentation.Please note that participation in this live event or recording does not include NAEA professional learning credit.
Shannon Downey
Art Activist
Shannon Downey, aka Badass Cross Stitch, is an artist, activist, craftivist, community builder, and general instigator. Shannon leverages craft-based art forms to bring people together and offers them opportunities to transition from makers to change makers. Her work is about telling the truth and confronting harsh realities while simultaneously inspiring radical hope and a vision for what is possible. Shannon has served as adjunct faculty at DePaul University, Columbia College Chicago, Salem College, and Mary Baldwin University. Her first book, Let’s Move the Needle, an activism handbook for artists, crafters, creatives, and makers who want to build community and make change, can be found anywhere books are sold.
Klara Schnore
NAHS Student Council Ambassador
Student Bio: Klara Schnore is a senior at Kutztown High School in Berks County, Pennsylvania. She is a passionate advocate for the importance of art education in schools. She believes art fosters individuality, supports mental health, and encourages creative problem-solving. Klara currently serves as president of the Kutztown High School National Art Honor Society and she previously held the role of class president for 2 years. She is a dedicated student-athlete and participates in varsity softball. She is also the proud recipient of the prestigious Jack Coggins Memorial Award for her creativity and innovation. Klara is also an active community member and strives to make her school and town a more creative place. During the summer, she loves devoting a week to help out at a local art camp for younger children. Looking ahead, she hopes to pursue art education and to advocate for the arts and young artists within and beyond the classroom.
Ella Grail
NAHS Student Council Ambassador
Ella Grail is currently a senior at Ames High School, located near Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. She is a driven artist with an extensive contest and exhibit history. She has been an active and engaged participant in NAHS and NJAHS starting in 2021. During those years, she has done substantial service, including The Memory Project, Hospice Project, and volunteering at local art events. Throughout her time in NAHS, she has risen to a leadership position for her school’s chapter. Highlights for Ella have included being the state winner for Doodle for Google, attending the first National Art Honor Society Conference, and becoming a two-time finalist for the Unsung Heroes project.
Monica Chen
NAHS Student Council Ambassador
Monica Chen is a senior at Amity Regional High School in Connecticut who is passionate about using art for good. She believes creative expression is a vessel for change and can help people feel a true connection to themselves, others, and the world at large. Monica is currently serving her second year as Amity NAHS president. She also volunteers as an art teacher for children at a local Chinese school, works in product design to build an ergonomic henna applicator, and runs her own banner business. Outside of her artistic endeavors, Monica also works hard on Asian American advocacy in her town. In her free time, Monica enjoys pogo sticking, going to the gym, and spending time with her cat, Millie.
Jackie Kubikian
NAHS Student Council Ambassador
Jackie is a 13-year-old 8th grader from Upstate New York. She attends her final year at Saint Gregory’s School and is extremely excited for the opportunity to be part of the National Junior Art Honor Society. Jackie plays lacrosse, basketball, and piano. She is bilingual and very active in the Armenian-American Community and Church. Jackie’s favorite type of art is collage-making, but as long as she is making art, she would be happy. She is so excited for this opportunity. She would like to thank everyone who has helped her achieve this great recognition, especially Ms. Delaney, her art teacher and mentor from Saint Gregory's School!
Momin Mahmood
NAHS Student Council Ambassador
Momin Mahmood is a 12th-grade artist and student leader whose passion for the arts stems from the belief that creativity can connect people, shape communities, and inspire new ways of thinking. As the founder and current President of his school’s National Art Honor Society, he has worked to create greater opportunities for students to experience, appreciate, and advocate for the arts. His commitment extends beyond his school through his service on the St. Charles Parish Public Schools Arts Steering Committee, where he contributes a student perspective to the future of arts education. His artistic accomplishments include being named Louisiana’s Doodle for Google winner, receiving the Congressional Art Award from Representative Steve Scalise, and earning a 5 on the AP 2-D Art and Design Portfolio. His curiosity and problem-solving abilities have also led to STEM success, including recognition as a State Science Fair winner and State mathematics competition champion.
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Contains 14 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 11/05/2026 at 7:00 PM (EST)
A collection of upcoming Monthly Mentor Meetings and past resources.
Monthly Mentor Meetings
Overview
Connect, collaborate, and grow with fellow art educators through NAEA's Monthly Mentor Meetings. This interactive virtual series brings members together for live, 1-hour conversations led by experienced Mentor Teachers who share practical classroom strategies, creative ideas, and real-world insights.
Whether you're just beginning your teaching journey or are an experienced educator looking for fresh inspiration, you'll find a welcoming community and practical ideas to strengthen your teaching practice!
What to Expect
Each month, a different Mentor Teacher leads a live, interactive Zoom meeting designed to foster meaningful conversation and collaboration. Rather than a webinar, these meetings encourage participants to ask questions, exchange ideas, and connect with fellow art educators in real time.
Mentors share practical classroom organization and management strategies, lesson ideas, instructional resources, and other tools you can immediately incorporate into your teaching practice. To encourage authentic discussion and open dialogue, meetings are not recorded. Participants who attend the live session will be able to download a Certificate of Attendance after each meeting.
All members have access to our curated short video resources and downloadable handouts that support ongoing learning and classroom implementation.
One hour of NAEA professional learning credit will be provided to all participants who attend the live meeting. You must attend the live meeting in order to earn credit and download the certificate. Please download your certificate after each meeting, as all certificates will expire and the module will reset at the end of the school year (July 2027).
2026–2027 Meeting Dates
All sessions are held online from 7:00–8:00 p.m. ET.
- Thursday, September 17, 2026
- Thursday, October 8, 2026
- Thursday, November 5, 2026
- Thursday, January 28, 2027
- Tuesday, February 23, 2027
- Tuesday, April 6, 2027
- Tuesday, May 18, 2027
Who Can Join?
All NAEA members are welcome to participate. Join us to connect with colleagues, gain practical teaching strategies, and be inspired by experienced Mentor Teachers.
Questions?
Contact Paula Liz, Associate Director of Programs and Creative Engagement, at [email protected]. If you are interested in serving as a Monthly Mentor, please fill out this form.
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Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes a Live Web Event on 11/04/2026 at 7:00 PM (EST)
[November 4, 2026 | 7pm ET] The Art of Holding Space moves beyond traditional classroom management to explore how restorative practices can transform the art room into a site of healing and mutual respect. Explore relationship-first teaching as presenters offer frameworks to help educators foster belonging, navigate conflict through creativity, and build resilient studio communities.
Practices for Healing and Connection in Art Education
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
FREE for NAEA members; $49 for nonmembersThe Art of Holding Space moves beyond traditional classroom management to explore how restorative practices can transform the art room into a site of healing and mutual respect. Explore relationship-first teaching as presenters offer frameworks to help educators foster belonging, navigate conflict through creativity, and build resilient studio communities.
Participants will explore:
-The Restorative Mindset: Shifting from punitive discipline to a culture of collective care and accountability.
-Practical Strategies: Tools for facilitating restorative conversations within a busy art room.
-Creativity as Connection: How artmaking itself can serve as a bridge for reconciliation and emotional processing.This webinar is sponsored by Davis ART.
Alicia Gray
Art Education Professor, Graduate School of Education, Tufts University
Alicia Gray has been an art educator since 2010, teaching in a wide variety of classroom settings, including high school, middle school, and higher education programs. As a former teacher in a trauma-sensitive public school, Alicia utilizes curriculum and practice to develop trauma-sensitive art education programs and communities of practice. Alicia holds a PhD in Education from Lesley University and is the former art education program director at Montserrat College of Art. She is a lecturer of art education in the Master of Arts in Teaching program at Tufts University. As an artist, Alicia employs mixed-media techniques, bookmaking, and collage.
Sara M. Gant
Expressive Arts Therapist, Heartfelt Counseling, Jacksonville, NC
Sara is a licensed clinical mental health counselor associate and nationally certified counselor. She received a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and a master’s in art education from East Carolina University. Sara was an art educator for 30 years before training to be an expressive arts therapist. She is honored to support and empower children, adolescents, and adults through a trauma-informed lens that draws on many modalities, including polyvagal theory and trauma-informed expressive arts therapy. Sara enjoys using drum circles, journaling, and music in her work.
Bobby Eppleman
Art Educator and former Behavior Specialist, Phoenixville, PA
Bobby Eppleman is a K–6 art teacher and former behavior specialist in the Phoenixville Area School District in Pennsylvania. With a background in restorative practices, emotional regulation, and student behavior, Bobby brings a unique lens to the art room—one that treats connection as the actual curriculum. He creates content for teachers on Instagram and has built an engaged community around the intersection of behavior science, SEL, and classroom culture. Bobby believes that a regulated, aware teacher is the most powerful tool in any classroom.
Upon completion of this NAEA webinar, you may earn 1 hour of professional development credit as designated by NAEA. Once the webinar is completed, you may view/print a Certification of Participation under the "Contents" tab. You may also print a transcript of all webinars attended under the "Dashboard" link in the right sidebar section of the page.
Clock hours provided upon completion of any NAEA professional learning program are granted for participation in an organized professional learning experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction and qualified instruction, and can be used toward continuing education credit in most states. It is the responsibility of the participant to verify acceptance by professional governing authorities in their area.
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Contains 1 Component(s) Recorded On: 10/02/2026
[October 1, 2026] As leaders in equity, diversity, and inclusion, the NAEA ED&I Commission recognizes belonging as the outcome of intentional, inclusive practice. Join Commission members as they share practical, classroom-ready strategies grounded in equity-centered teaching that help foster environments where every student is empowered to thrive. Please note that participation in this live event or recording does not include NAEA professional learning credit.
NAEA Open Studio Conversation: Defining Belonging: Simple Inclusive Strategies for the Arts Classroom
Thursday, October 1, 2026
Cost: FREE!As leaders in equity, diversity, and inclusion, the NAEA ED&I Commission recognizes belonging as the outcome of intentional, inclusive practice. Join Commission members as they share practical, classroom-ready strategies grounded in equity-centered teaching that help foster environments where every student is empowered to thrive.
Please note that participation in this live event or recording does not include NAEA professional learning credit.
Cathy Rosamond
Chair, Art Education
Cathy Rosamond teaches arts-informed thesis, museum studies, visual arts literacy, and other core art education courses to graduate students at SVA. She currently serves as the Chair of the ED&I Commission at NAEA. Her research, studio, and teaching practices continue to be inspired by investigations into artmaking as a form of inquiry and by non-Western ways of being that challenge the mainstream narrative.
Maria Robinson
Curriculum Director of Studio Art and Pre–Art Therapy
Maria Knuckley Robinson is an artist, art educator, and higher education leader serving as assistant professor of visual and performing arts and as curriculum director of studio art and pre–art therapy at Salem Academy and College. She holds an EdD in Curriculum and Instruction, an MAT in Art Education, an MFA in Painting, and a BS in Business Administration. Her studio practice explores women’s resilience, memory, grief, domestic labor, and the relationship between the body and place through painting, sculpture, installation, and material-based processes. Her teaching and research focus on inclusive pedagogy, interdisciplinary learning, curriculum design, and connecting studio practice to professional and creative opportunities. A current NAEA Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Commissioner and former Treasurer of the North Carolina Art Education Association, Maria’s work centers on belonging, sustainability, alignment, and meaningful connections among artists, educators, students, and communities.
Lauren Pierce
Art Teacher, Elementary School
Lauren Pierce is an elementary school art teacher dedicated to fostering equitable, inclusive visual arts environments for K–12 students. She holds a Master of Teaching in Art Education from George Mason University and is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. Her research and advocacy explore the intersection of neurodiverse, queer, and cultural identities in children, driving the creation of accessible, decolonized curriculum resources for art educators. Most recently, she has focused on expanding inclusive pedagogy and resource sharing across the field.
Alicia Kopec
Visual Arts Content Specialist
Alicia Kopec is a dedicated art educator with over 25 years of experience transforming visual arts education. Currently serving as the visual arts content specialist at Chicago Public Schools, she focuses on developing inclusive, high-quality arts curricula and fostering equitable learning environments for thousands of students across the district. A nationally recognized advocate for diversity in the arts, Alicia serves as a member of the NAEA ED&I Commission and acts as the ED&I Liaison for the Illinois Art Education Association. Her commitment to systemic change and inclusive pedagogy earned her the prestigious 2026 NAEA Agent of Change Award. Throughout her career as an educator, leader, and advocate, Alicia remains passionate about empowering students, supporting fellow educators, and leveraging creative expression as a catalyst for social justice in schools and communities.
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Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits
[September 16, 2026 | 7pm ET] A Curious Classroom redefines the art room as a laboratory for inquiry rather than a space for production. Thinking routines aren’t just “steps”—they are the scaffolding that allows students to dive deeper into their own curiosity. Join us for this session focused on making student thinking visible.
A Curious Classroom: Designing for Discovery Through Thinking Routines
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
FREE for NAEA members; $49 for nonmembersA Curious Classroom redefines the art room as a laboratory for inquiry rather than a space for production. Thinking routines aren’t just “steps”—they are the scaffolding that allows students to dive deeper into their own curiosity. Join us for this session focused on making student thinking visible.
Participants will explore:
-The Power of Routine: How simple, repeatable frameworks can unlock complex student insights.
-Discovery by Design: Practical ways to structure your room and lessons to invite constant questioning.
-A K-12 Perspective: Seeing how these routines scale from the youngest artists to advanced students.Jason Blair
Art Educator, Dublin City Schools, Dublin, OH
Jason Blair is a veteran art educator with 24 years of experience. He spent 5 years collaborating with Harvard University’s Project Zero conducting research focused on cultivating creative and civic capacities. Jason serves as educator-in-residence at the Columbus Museum of Art and works nationally as a creativity consultant supporting schools and districts. He regularly presents at local, state, and national conferences and has delivered keynote addresses for art education associations in Ohio, Colorado, and New York. His work emphasizes creative thinking, collaboration, and meaningful civic engagement, inspiring educators to design learning experiences that nurture curiosity and empower students and communities.
Todd Elkin
Art Educator/Department Chair, Washington High School, Fremont, CA
Todd Elkin is a visual artist, arts educator, writer, and researcher. He earned a BFA in Interdisciplinary Studies from the San Francisco Art Institute, a teaching credential from Cal State East Bay, and an MEd from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. In addition to being a full-time visual arts teacher and fine arts department chair at Washington High School in Fremont, California, Todd has served as a mentor teacher in the Art21 Educators Program and as a senior faculty member in the Alameda County Office of Education’s Integrated Learning Specialist Program. Elkin is cofacilitator with Arzu Mistry of The Accordion Book Project. In 2016, he coauthored the artists’ book Unfolding Practice: Reflections on Learning and Teaching with Arzu Mistry.
Upon completion of this NAEA webinar, you may earn 1 hour of professional development credit as designated by NAEA. Once the webinar is completed, you may view/print a Certification of Participation under the "Contents" tab. You may also print a transcript of all webinars attended under the "Dashboard" link in the right sidebar section of the page.
Clock hours provided upon completion of any NAEA professional learning program are granted for participation in an organized professional learning experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction and qualified instruction, and can be used toward continuing education credit in most states. It is the responsibility of the participant to verify acceptance by professional governing authorities in their area.
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Contains 2 Component(s)
[August 27, 2026] Step into the Wacom Hero Lab and discover how simple digital art skills can unlock creativity in any classroom. In this Open Studio, educators will explore foundational digital drawing techniques such as sketching, linework, using layers, and adding color while working with free online art tools. Inspired by Wacom’s hands-on Hero Lab experience at NAEA26, this session demonstrates how to guide students through creating their own Art Hero trading card while learning core digital art skills along the way. Participants will leave with ready-to-use lesson plans, printable digital templates, classroom adaptations, and creative inspiration to help bring digital art into their teaching. No prior digital art experience is required. Please note that participation in this live event or recording does not include NAEA professional learning credit.
NAEA Open Studio Conversation: Create Digital Trading Cards: Teaching Foundational Art Skills With Free Tools
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Cost: FREE!Step into the Wacom Hero Lab and discover how simple digital art skills can unlock creativity in any classroom. In this Open Studio, educators will explore foundational digital drawing techniques such as sketching, linework, using layers, and adding color while working with free online art tools. Inspired by Wacom’s hands-on Hero Lab experience at NAEA26, this session demonstrates how to guide students through creating their own Art Hero trading card while learning core digital art skills along the way. Participants will leave with ready-to-use lesson plans, printable digital templates, classroom adaptations, and creative inspiration to help bring digital art into their teaching. No prior digital art experience is required.
This Open Studio Conversation is sponsored by Wacom.
Please note that participation in this live event or recording does not include NAEA professional learning credit.
Michele Dick
Education Marketing Manager
Michele Dick is an educator first and foremost, and she brings her unique skills and experiences as classroom teacher, technology specialist, and digital learning coordinator with Evergreen Public Schools in Vancouver, WA, to her role at Wacom. A sought-after conference speaker, professional learning expert, and innovator in integrating digital ink technologies into creative and core curriculum instruction, Michele provides essential support, expertise, and creativity into her role, helping educators tap the power of digital pen and display technologies in their teaching practices.
Christopher Diego
Senior Specialist Digital Media and Community Engagement
In Wacom’s marketing department, I get to use my tablet for digital illustration, graphic design, video editing, photography, and motion graphics. Outside of work I stream art-related content on Twitch and volunteer for my local Creative Mornings chapter. I also just finished getting my certificate in CTE education. I want to give students the tools and resources they need to create what they want to see in the world.
Laura Grundler
NAEA Chief of Creative Engagement
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Contains 2 Component(s)
[August 20, 2026] The Customized Arts Learning (CAL) Toolkit supports personalized learning in arts education and promotes strength-based instructional practices. Designed for preK–12 educators, the toolkit provides resources to support the needs of diverse learners and uses arts learning as a bridge to academic and interpersonal development. During this Open Studio Conversation, presenters from the State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education (SEADAE) will introduce the CAL Toolkit and share practical strategies for using it in a variety of educational settings. Participants will explore how the toolkit can be used to create dialogue, build consensus, and address the unique needs of your students and school communities while supporting state standards and local learning outcomes. Please note that participation in this live event or recording does not include NAEA professional learning credit.
NAEA Open Studio Conversation: Art Room 101 Series—Customized Arts Learning Toolkit
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Cost: FREE!The Customized Arts Learning (CAL) Toolkit supports personalized learning in arts education and promotes strength-based instructional practices. Designed for preK–12 educators, the toolkit provides resources to support the needs of diverse learners and uses arts learning as a bridge to academic and interpersonal development.
During this Open Studio Conversation, presenters from the State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education (SEADAE) will introduce the CAL Toolkit and share practical strategies for using it in a variety of educational settings. Participants will explore how the toolkit can be used to create dialogue, build consensus, and address the unique needs of your students and school communities while supporting state standards and local learning outcomes.
Please note that participation in this live event or recording does not include NAEA professional learning credit.
Elizabeth Maughan
Fine Arts Project Manager; SEADAE Past President
Elizabeth Maughan serves as the fine arts project manager at the Oklahoma State Department of Education. She has overseen Oklahoma fine arts standards revision (including new standards for dance, drama and theatre, and media arts) and the creation of a fine arts framework. In 2020, she helped obtain a $5.8 million federal grant (Art Tech) to expand Oklahoma fine arts education. She serves on various arts boards across the state and delivers professional development for arts educators. At the national level, she is past president of the State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education and she serves on the Organization of American Kodály Educators research and publications and awards committees. Elizabeth’s background is in music education, primarily at the elementary level. She completed a doctorate in music education at the University of Oklahoma in 2013.
Shea Murray
Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator; SEADAE Secretary
Shea Murray is the visual and performing arts coordinator for the New Jersey Department of Education and a member of the State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education. Before joining the department, Shea worked in public education for 20 years and held various roles, including high school visual arts teacher, high school assistant principal, director of special services, and adjunct jewelry and metals instructor. Shea is a graduate of Rowan University, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Jewelry/Metals and Sculpture. He established a metals production studio and worked for other artists and design firms before dedicating his career to education.
Corine Czepiel
Art Educator
Corine Czepiel is a dedicated high school art educator with more than two decades of experience inspiring students through creativity, innovation, and hands-on learning. She teaches sculpture and 3D design while integrating technology, cultural exploration, and interdisciplinary learning into her classroom. Corine was selected as one of five teachers nationally to pilot the SEADAE Customized Arts Learning Toolkit and is passionate about creating meaningful, inclusive art experiences that connect students to cultures and communities around the world.
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Contains 14 Product(s)
Resources to support new and aspiring art education teachers.
The Preservice and Early Career Educators Curated Collection is a tailored resource hub to support new and aspiring teachers as they begin their journey in art education. This collection provides on-demand access to various content, including webinars and expert-led discussions that address educators' unique challenges in the early stages of their careers.
Click on a link below to open the resource.
NAEA Position Statements:
Click on a title below to download the resource.
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Click on a link below to learn more about these Preservice and Early Career opportunities.
Monthly Mentor Meetings: Collaborative Discussions on Insights and Applications
- Monthly Mentor Meetings is a new program designed to bring art educators together for rich, collaborative conversations. Each session offers a space to explore classroom strategies, share insights, and connect with others who are passionate about art education.
- Click here to learn more and register to attend!
Preservice News
- Preservice News is the official newsletter for NAEA Preservice Chapters. Published semi-yearly (January and May) in electronic-only format, it contains news and photos on Preservice chapter activities, student artwork, and award winners.
- Click here to submit your Preservice chapter news and highlights to be featured!
Connect to the Preservice Online Community
- Join the Collaborate online forum for the latest news and information in addition to access to resources and networking with NAEA members (see Preservice Division under list of Communities). You can also add the NAEA Preservice to your Google+ circles for updates and announcements.
Preservice Leadership
- NAEA Board of Directors: Preservice Division
- NAEA Preservice Regional Representatives: Regional Representatives are nominated by the Division Director to serve a contiguous 2-year term with both the Director and Director-Elect.
- NAEA Preservice State Leaders
- If you are interested in serving as a Preservice State Leader, please contact Paula Liz, NAEA’s Youth and Preservice Program Manager, at [email protected].
NAEA Awards
- Click here to nominate Preservice members for the following NAEA Awards
- National Preservice Art Educator
- Regional Preservice Art Educator Awards (Eastern, Southeastern, Western, Pacific)
- Preservice Chapter Sponsor Award of Excellence
- 2026 RAEA Outstanding Preservice Chapter Award
- Click here to submit your nomination. Deadline: December 4, 2026.
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Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits
[July 15, 2026 | 7pm ET] Visual journaling is a powerful way to fuel creativity, deepen reflection, and spark meaningful artmaking—for both teachers and students. In this energizing webinar, artists and educators David Modler, Eric Scott, and Sam Peck will guide participants through accessible journaling processes that support personal art practice while enriching K–12 classroom instruction.
Riding the Creative Wave: Visual Journaling Techniques to Spark Artmaking All Year Long
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
FREE for NAEA members; $49 for nonmembersVisual journaling is a powerful way to fuel creativity, deepen reflection, and spark meaningful artmaking—for both teachers and students. In this energizing webinar, artists and educators David Modler, Eric Scott, and Sam Peck will guide participants through accessible journaling processes that support personal art practice while enriching K–12 classroom instruction.
Using surfing metaphors as a playful entry point, the presenters will explore intuition, a/r/tography, and culturally responsive art education through hands-on prompts and materials. Throughout the session, they will demonstrate a range of visual journaling techniques and materials, modeling accessible processes you can immediately bring into your own teaching and artmaking. You’ll experience how visual journaling can capture lived experience, connect identity to creative inquiry, and create space for exploration—whether during the school year or in summer art experiences.
Designed for K–12 art educators at all experience levels, this webinar offers ready-to-use strategies, adaptable prompts, and practical ways to integrate visual journals into your studio classroom. Participants will leave with techniques they can apply immediately to inspire experimentation, reflection, and sustained artistic momentum.
What You’ll Learn:
- Practical journaling strategies and prompts that support both teacher and student creativity.
- Hands-on techniques that connect intuition, identity, and visual inquiry.
- Adaptable approaches for summer artmaking or year-round classroom use.
- Real examples that help you inspire reflection, experimentation, and playful exploration.David Modler
Professor of Art, Coordinator of Art Education, Department Chair
David Modler is a maker, scholar, and professor originally from Baltimore, Maryland. He earned his BS and MEd degrees in Art Education from Towson State University and his MFA in Studio Art from James Madison University. He works obsessively in visual journals, and his work is conceptually rooted in art and social practice structures, cultivating community engagement, and exploring collaborative systems. He is currently serving as a fully tenured professor of art, coordinator of art education, and the chair of the Department of Contemporary Art, Communication, and Theater at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.Eric Scott
Artist–Educator, Round Hill Arts Center and Loudoun School for Advanced Studies
Eric Scott is an artist and educator born and raised in Washington, Pennsylvania.He is dedicated to sharing his art and helping people tap into their artistic potential and cultivate their creativity. With 30 years of teaching experience, he frequently travels and provides workshops and presentations on the power of art and the visual journal.
In 2005 he teamed up with friend and artistic accomplice David Modler to coauthor two bestselling books, The Journal Junkies Workshop and Journal Fodder 365, both published by North Light Books. Eric lives in Purcellville, Virginia, with his wife and their menagerie of animals.
Sam Peck
PhD Candidate; Artist–Researcher–Teacher, New Bedford Public Schools, New Bedford, MA
Sam Peck is an artist, researcher, and teacher based in Warwick, Rhode Island, with a daughter on the way. While his foundation is in making art objects, stepping back for a broader view has sharpened his curiosity about how art shapes relationships. His recent projects focus on creating experiences that foster deeper human connection. Sam is a PhD student in Art Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Minnesota. Working through post-intentional phenomenology infused with a playful a/r/tographic approach, he explores collaborative visual journaling and object-oriented ways of understanding the world.
Upon completion of this NAEA webinar, you may earn 1 hour of professional development credit as designated by NAEA. Once the webinar is completed, you may view/print a Certification of Participation under the "Contents" tab. You may also print a transcript of all webinars attended under the "Dashboard" link in the right sidebar section of the page.
Clock hours provided upon completion of any NAEA professional learning program are granted for participation in an organized professional learning experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction and qualified instruction, and can be used toward continuing education credit in most states. It is the responsibility of the participant to verify acceptance by professional governing authorities in their area.
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Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits
[May 13, 2026 | 7pm ET] Art classrooms offer a powerful space for students to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and engage more deeply in the creative process. This webinar introduces practical, time-efficient strategies that blend mindfulness, intuitive artmaking, and SEL-informed practices to help middle and high school students reduce stress, build emotional awareness, and express themselves with greater confidence.
Mindful Creativity in the Art Room: Simple Practices to Support Well-Being and Authentic Expression
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
FREE for NAEA members; $49 for nonmembersArt classrooms offer a powerful space for students to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and engage more deeply in the creative process. This webinar introduces practical, time-efficient strategies that blend mindfulness, intuitive artmaking, and SEL-informed practices to help middle and high school students reduce stress, build emotional awareness, and express themselves with greater confidence.
Teaching art and mindfulness together creates the mental space students need for creative thinking to flourish. Mindful routines help students settle their minds, ease anxiety, and access their imagination more easily, while process-focused art prompts encourage authentic expression without the pressure of perfection. These small shifts can transform the studio environment—improving focus, supporting self-regulation, and strengthening students’ ability to understand and communicate their emotions through art.
Explore ready-to-use ideas that fit naturally into existing lessons and daily classroom flow through this webinar. Learn how simple mindful moments and sensory-based check-ins can enrich studio routines, and how intuitive mark-making prompts—such as expressive drawing, guided visualization, or nonrepresentational response exercises—can help students bypass self-judgment and tap into their creative impulses. Discover the connection between present-moment awareness, creative confidence, and emotional well-being, offering concrete strategies that encourage students to feel more grounded and more connected to their own artistic voice.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to integrate quick 2- to 5-minute mindful routines—including breath work, sensory check-ins, and “slow looking”—to help students transition smoothly into artmaking.
- Intuitive art prompts that emphasize process over product, allowing students to explore, experiment, and express themselves without fear of making mistakes.
- Strategies for supporting emotional regulation and SEL through arts-based practices that help students understand, communicate, and manage their feelings.
- Approaches for fostering a calmer, more focused studio culture, where students feel safe to take creative risks and engage more deeply with materials and ideas.Raine Valentine
CAN Teacher Leader, Caucus on the Spiritual in Art Education Past Chair;Art Educator, Ridgely Middle School, Baltimore County, MD; Adjunct Professor, Notre Dame of MD
Raine Valentine is an award-winning art educator, intuitive painter, and former Chair of the Caucus on the Spiritual in Art Education. A leader in the NAEA Connected Arts Network, she is committed to uplifting mindful, culturally grounded, and student-centered creative practices. As the National Middle Level Art Educator of the Year, Raine brings over 15 years of experience integrating Teaching for Artistic Behavior (TAB), SEL, and Indigenous teachings into transformative art experiences. Her work empowers young artists to connect with their inner voice, regulate emotions, and embrace intuitive expression, while helping educators implement meaningful, time-efficient strategies that support holistic well-being and creativity.
Jane Dalton
Professor of Art Education, University of North Carolina Charlotte
Jane Dalton’s work integrates studio art and teacher education, emphasizing transformative learning through contemplative pedagogy, mindfulness, and the expressive arts. Grounded in learning science and neuroscience, her research shows how meditation can reshape brain function, behavior, and focus. She examines how contemplative art practices support emotional balance, self-awareness, and personal growth. Her recent book, The Mindful Studio (2023), adds to her three coedited volumes on contemplative practice and pedagogy in education. Dalton has authored multiple peer-reviewed chapters and articles, presented widely at conferences, and maintains an active studio practice alongside her academic scholarship.
Upon completion of this NAEA webinar, you may earn 1 hour of professional development credit as designated by NAEA. Once the webinar is completed, you may view/print a Certification of Participation under the "Contents" tab. You may also print a transcript of all webinars attended under the "Dashboard" link in the right sidebar section of the page.
Clock hours provided upon completion of any NAEA professional learning program are granted for participation in an organized professional learning experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction and qualified instruction, and can be used toward continuing education credit in most states. It is the responsibility of the participant to verify acceptance by professional governing authorities in their area.
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