Independent School Art Educators (ISAE) Column: Fall 2023

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Greetings from the Independent School Art Education Interest Group! I hope this article finds you rested and refreshed as we look forward to a brand-new school year. My name is Evan Thomas, and I serve as Co-Chair of ISAE. I live and work at Blair Academy, an independent 9¬–12 boarding school in northern New Jersey, where I teach in the fine arts department and serve as a school administrator for equity, inclusion, and belonging. As a leader and longtime member of ISAE, I want to thank you for being a part of this special community. As artists and educators in independent schools, we have the unique ability to enhance our programs by learning about the experiences offered in our peer schools. This collaborative potential is one of the primary reasons the ISAE was formed—specifically, to inspire a sense of community among art educators in independent school settings.

If you teach art in an independent school, and you have not officially joined our Interest Group, consider becoming an official member! We have a wonderfully supportive community from a wide range of school settings all over the country, and we’re here to support and celebrate the great work in your learning communities. Here is a brief recap of the exciting work the ISAE Executive Council has been working on over the past several months:

• We facilitate a closed Facebook group and Instagram account for conversation, resources, and support among ISAE members.
• We publish articles (like this one) in NAEA News regarding work in private schools and featuring voices of teachers from various independent school settings—please reach out if you are interested in contributing a piece!
• ISAE participated in a multi–Interest Group gathering at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens during the NAEA Convention.
• We gathered for our annual Business Meeting and Conversation With Colleagues Convention sessions.
• We represented independent schools at the 2023 NAEA Delegates Assembly and distributed advertising materials to all NAEA leaders from across the country.
• Finally, we recognized Kat Lee, art educator from St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia, PA, as recipient of our Independent School Art Educator of the Year 2023 award and look forward to celebrating one of YOU as our 2024 recipient!

Find us online:

Connect with us on our social media channels and through the recently redesigned NAEA Collaborate page.

• Instagram: @ ISAE.NAEA
• Facebook: @ Independent School Art Educators Interest Group
• Through the NAEA website: click on Communities > click on Committees and Issues Groups > click on Issues groups > click on Independent School Art Education, and you are on our home page.
• And of course, you can always send me an email directly: ISAEpresident@gmail.com

Thanks in advance for your engagement! We can’t wait to share all your exciting experiences and accomplishments, and we look forward to connecting with you throughout this school year and beyond.

Warmly,

Evan Thomas
ISAE Co-Chair

Evan Thomas & Cynthia Hersch, ISAE Co-Chairs