The District 4 First 5 group met September 15 at Knob Noster Middle School. We had a great turnout, with 10 teachers attending. Leesha Dunkeson hosted us, and demonstrated a new lithography product as well as other great printmaking projects. Our next meeting will be Thursday, November 17 at the Art Building at UCM in Warrensburg.

Ivan Ramirez, teacher at Pettis County R-XII in Dresden, began his first Art Club project, a mural outside his school. He also took his 3^rd-5^th graders to the Daum Escape in Sedalia.

Janice Hargrave, first-year teacher in Sedalia, reports that she is really enjoying the artwork her students are producing!

I’ve worked this fall to identify all of the art teachers in my district, and will begin to target new teachers for the First 5 group, as well as encourage other teachers to join MAEA.

First 5 April Meeting

Hello! I'm finally recovered (mostly) and ready to reschedule our meeting. The District 4 First 5 Group will meet Monday, April 25, 5:00 p.m. at the Daum Museum in Sedalia. Anyone in their first five years of teaching is invited. Hope to see you there!

Rahila

Spring News 2011

Ivan Ramirez, teacher at Pettis County R-XII in Dresden, hosted a month of activities for Youth Art Month in March. Events included art quotes read by students, spirit days, a door decorating contest, cards for nursing homes, a field trip, and a mural pen pal with a Scottish school. He is also taking students to the Nelson-Atkins on May 4.

Local spring art contests:
• Conference Art Contest for students of Janice Jannuzzi-Thomas in Lincoln was held at State Fair Community College. Students who received a 1st place will go on to a national contest.
• Pettis County R-XII in Dresden will hold their art show on April 29.
• Crest Ridge High School will hold its annual middle school/high school art show on May 10.
• The UCM Department of Art & Design will hold its annual High School Art Contest on Thursday, April 7, with works from high school students shown from March 29-April 7.

First 5 February (say that 3x fast!)

Our third First 5 meeting for teachers in their first 5 years of teaching art is scheduled for Thursday, February 17, 5 p.m. at the classroom of Ivan Ramirez, art teacher at Pettis County R-XII, Dresden, MO. The school is just west of Sedalia, at 22675 Depot Rd., Sedalia, MO.

All teachers in District 4 in their first 5 years of teaching are invited. Please bring a lesson to share, and bring a friend! Snacks will be provided.

Yam/First 5

Hello, all District 4 Members! This month, we're combining the First 5 meeting with the YAM Party that the teachers in Knob Noster always host for us. We'll meet Thursday, January 27, at 4:30 (or as soon as you can get there) at Knob Noster Middle School. If you'd like to enter work into YAM, bring it along. Otherwise, just come and enjoy! Snacks will be provided.

Knob Noster Middle School
211 East Wimer Street
Knob Noster, MO 65336

Hope to see you there!

Next First 5 Meeting: Thursday, February 17

Summer News

Leesha Dunkeson, Knob Noster Middle School, was honored at the NAEA National Convention in Baltimore for winning National Middle School Art Teacher of the Year. A good number of MAEA members came out to support Leesha at the reception, struggling through hunger and broken arms to get there. Congratulations, Leesha, we’re proud of you!

Congratulations to Janice Januzzi-Thomas for receiving honors as the MAEA K-12 Art Teacher of the Year!

Thanks to all teachers from District 4 who participated in Youth Art Month and Missouri Fine Arts Day this March.

District 4 Shoe Party!

Looking for something to do on Sundays now that football season is over? Join us for a shoe-decorating party! The shoes will be used as table decorations for the Spring Conference March 4-6.

The details: Sunday, February 21, 2-4 p.m., Department of Art & Design, Art Center 111, University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg (214 E. Clark St.). Please let me know if you plan to attend.

I will provide snacks and paints/brushes, and I have some shoes. Bring any clean, used shoes that you are willing to donate.

If you’d like to participate but can’t come to the party, please contact me (weed@ucmo.edu) and let me know how many shoes I can count on. Maybe your students could even help out (art club, a class etc.)!

To make the shoes: Wash your used shoes in the washing machine (they will be on the table, after all!) and allow to dry fully. Prime with gesso or flat white latex. Then, decorate! Some ideas include in the style of an artist, a new creation, assemblage sculpture, creatures, shoe-bots. Have fun! There are some neat ideas at the following website: http://www.clpstudio.com/index.html