Alabama Art Education Association

Greetings AAEA Members,

I am so excited to be serving as President on the Alabama Art Education Association Board for you over the next two years.  Please allow me to introduce myself. I have been teaching art for 16 years although I don’t feel old enough to have been teaching that long. I have taught in both rural and affluent situations and have taught all different grade levels. I have taught in a trailer with no water and learned how to work around the many obstacles of a crowded classroom full of students with many different individual needs.  I have also taught in situations in which construction was going on amongst the noise of jack hammers, no plumbing, and no water. Through the years I have turned to my fellow colleagues that I have met through my membership in AAEA for knowledge of the tricks of the trade and how to overcome these obstacles.

Through the years I learned how to manage my classroom through Karen Orr’s workshops and her words of wisdom. I learned how to help my students prepare for art shows through Kenneth Proctor’s workshops on how to present your art. I learned how to teach organized elementary and middle school art lessons from Margaret Morales, Sharon Christman, Jan Stephens, Laura Reddick-Reichart, Kelly-Campbell Busby, Karen Wingenter, Tammy Clark, Linda Miller Williams and others. I learned how to create engaging art lessons for high school students from Melody Machen, Julie Day, Hope Brannon, Connie Deal, Marla Kenney, Lisa Wood, and many more. I learned how to connect art history and cultural studies from workshops such as Bee Lee Tullos’s studies of Japan and Germany, Thea McElvy’s Japanese Shibori workshops, Judith Smith’s Art Connections, Lauren Fowler’s lessons connecting to Art History, and many more. I learned from the keynote speakers and artists over the years, each time, recharging the batteries of the artist within from lectures by Gary Chapman to museum curator lectures on such exhibits as Matisse in the Magic City, Pompeii, Native American Art, and more.  My most valuable lesson was from Dr. Mary Ann Culotta on how to gain the support of community and administration and advocacy for art in my school through positive methods and practices.  What all of the people I mentioned above have in common is that they were or are active members of AAEA.

Before I joined AAEA, I felt isolated and alone in my school as I was the only art teacher in my school. I even thought I might give up and leave the teaching profession all together.  When I joined AAEA and began attending Fall Conferences each year, I was elated with the excellent workshops, mentor experiences, professional development, and friendships that being an active member brought to me.  Through my connections with other art teachers and art administrators, I was able to create a successful art program for Bagley Junior High in that trailer that was my classroom.  I even learned how to deal with classroom discipline which is so important.  Eventually I was moved into a real classroom at Bagley but I will always value that teaching experience in the trailer because I learned how to overcome the obstacles of no water, as well as how to organize my classroom and maintain structure in my curriculum. The influence of AAEA on me while at Bagley became the core of my art teaching values that I use today as I am currently teaching Drawing/Painting, 2D Design, AP Studio Art: Drawing Portfolio, and AP Studio Art: 2D Design Portfolio at Mountain Brook High School. What makes all my teaching experiences extra special is when former students of mine contact and visit me now to tell me about their lives and how they are doing now.

My Masters of Art in Art Education from the University of Alabama got me into the field of teaching art but the exchange of knowledge and wisdom of my mentors has kept me thriving in the profession. I am serving on the AAEA Board because I feel that I need to give back and help play a role in continuing the network of support for fellow art educators. I feel indebted to help in the process of passing on the wealth of knowledge you all have been willing to share.

I have shared my story with you because you as members may know of art teachers in your area that are just starting out and I urge you to reach out and help them thrive.  Let them know that they are not alone and they can join AAEA. The future of art education in Alabama depends on you.

I want to thank you for being an active member of the AAEA. You play a vital role in keeping young art educators in the profession as well as supporting each other. I urge you to continue to take part in recharging your colleagues’ art teaching batteries. If you have a successful lesson or project, please present a workshop at Fall Conferences and if you see something outstanding that your colleagues are doing, encourage them to present. Help strengthen the art programs in all the schools in Alabama by being a presenter at Fall Conferences.

We as art teachers have to have meaningful content and authentic lessons to keep our students engaged. And when our students are actively engaged, they will succeed. And when our students succeed, we succeed.  

I look forward to an exciting and productive two years. Let me know how I may serve you. 

Thanks again,

Susan C. Davis

President, Alabama Art Education Association

Art Teacher, Mountain Brook High School