Phew... so much going on..

It has definitely been a while since I have been able to add anything new to my blog.

raku fish

Since my last blog I have been to Seattle to present at NAEA. I had a great time. I signed up for a raku fish class at Seattle Pottery.

I went to several good presentations and keynote speakers.

Akio's sculpture

Patti

Akio

 I went to Patti Warashina and Akio Takamori's studios. Pam Farris and I went up the Space Needle. I was also able to spend some time with my college friends Chris and Rebecca Ifland. My Mom and sister Ann drove up from Vancouver WA to spend a couple days with me.

My student teacher, Nate started at Gateway two days before I left to go to Seattle. Fortunately, he was ready to dive in and direct the classes while my sub observed.

 Wednesday before Spring break our principal informed my co worker, Pam B. that her position had been cut and that she would be an "overage" in the district. I am grateful that she has been placed at a K-8 school in the district. It is not ideal - she is a gifted High School teacher. This means that Angie and I will both pick up another content area. Angie will teach Drawing, Sculpture and add Painting. I will continue to teach Ceramics and Jewelry and add Photography. At the same time we will be implementing the International Baccalaureate: Middle Years Program and working on adding the Diploma Program.

teapot at CAEA Exhibit

I also came back to two exhibits that I was juried into - one the ACC student show was for a jewelry piece. The other was the CAEA exhibit for my teapot set. And student art shows - the Aurora Public Schools Festival of the Arts.

Our family has a mourned the deaths of two friends, both unexpected, both believers, both will be sorely missed.

The end of April, Angie and I went to Minneapolis for IB:DP Art training. The training was good but I feel like I am just beginning to scratch the surface of understanding how to teach IB.

Next weekend, I am coordinating the CAEA spring conference at Arapahoe Community College.
GHS's graduation is on Monday and school is out on the 19th.