Middle Level Division Column: Summer 2023

Recharging Middle Level Educators Through Our Professional Learning Community

This was another year of “getting back to normal” after COVID. Most are back in person at schools, but all are still catching up from the loss of community and content. In middle schools, the focus is even more on the test scores. The arts classes are again put on the back burner. Through our NAEA Middle Level community, we can learn how to change our perception.

At the 2023 NAEA National Convention in San Antonio this April, we had time to renew our own spirits and gather information on enhancing and advocating for our programs. The city had much artistic inspiration and welcomed us with open arms. The NAEA planning committee and staff created a wonderful event that wove the information we needed with the joy of embracing our friendships with other art teachers who get us!

[[image awardee showcase "Western Region, Abby Birhanu; new Middle Level Director, Janis Nunnally; Southeastern Region, Melissa Leftwich; Middle Level Art Teacher of the Year, Krissy Ponden; past Middle Level Director Aimee Burgamy. Not pictured: Eastern Region, Michelle Dress."]]

Middle Level Division–sponsored sessions during the Convention concentrated on the unique needs of middle school art teachers in the current climate.

The Medley I session centered around social–emotional learning (SEL) for our students and ourselves. Aimee Burgamy started with “stick together” mural art, Rebecca Weeks presented a printmaking project, and I led a neurographic hands-on project with the twist of using black lights and fluorescent markers.

The Medley II session was a “speed networking” event where we rotated to a different person and discussed different topics to help in the art room—a great time connecting personally with other middle-level educators.

Our Middle Level awardees led a session about their successful art programs. Middle Level Art Educator of the Year, Krissy Ponden; West Region Awardee, Abby Birhanu; and Southeast Region Awardee, Melissa Leftwich, presented. East Region Awardee, Michelle Dress, could not attend.

Our last sponsored session was a hands-on session. Krissy Ponden led transfer imaging, Annie Park led a project with layers and stories, and I led a quick filler project called monster surprise. Rebecca Weeks led a session making figures out of playing cards, Aimee Burgamy led an airdry clay lesson, and Abby Birhanu led a session. Each session also had door prizes, including a SCAD teacher week in Savannah, and Middle Level T-shirts for all!

[[image SEL session "Neurographic art with black lights."]]

The 2024 NAEA Minneapolis call for presentations is out now. I hope you will step up and write a proposal to present a session and enrich our Middle Level community. I also hope you will make plans to attend next year’s Convention, April 4–6, 2024! I want to MEET YOU IN THE MIDDLE in Minneapolis.

NAEA Middle Level Team 2023–2025

Middle Level Director: Janis Nunnally, Upperman Middle School in Baxter, TN, for 18 years; 2018 graduate of the NAEA School for Art Leaders; Past President of TAEA.
Middle Level Director-Elect: Jeanie Fellinger, Spotsylvania County Public Schools, VA.
Eastern Region Director: Emily Saleh, Village School, Princeton Junction, NJ; NAEA ED&I Commissioner.
Southeastern Region Director: Catherine Campbell, Dent Middle School, Columbia, SC; past NAEA Southeastern Region Vice President; past SCAEA President.
Western Region Director: Jolanda Dranchak, Anoka Middle School for the Arts, MN.
Pacific Region Director: Rebecca Weeks, Bailey Middle School, Las Vegas, NV.

Column by:

Janis Stivers Nunnally, Division Director
Visual Arts Educator, Putnam County School Board, Cookeville, TN. Email: nunnallyj@pcsstn.com

Elect: Jeanie Fellinger, Spotsylvania County Public Schools, Spotsylvania, VA.

Regional Directors:
Eastern: Emily Saleh, emily.saleh04@gmail.com
Southeastern: Catherine Campbell, ccampbel@richland2.org
Western: Jolanda Dranchak, jolanda.dranchak@ahschools.us
Pacific: Rebecca Weeks, weeksr1@nv.ccsd.net