Liebster Award: Discover New Blogs!

I am so honored to have been nominated for the Liebster Award by my very best friend Kelsey from The Artsy Fartsy Art Room.  For those of you not familiar with with Liebster Award, it is a blogging award for blogs that are up and coming and have potential for more amazingness then they already have!

Here are my answers to the 10 questions ask of each nominee.

1.  Why did you start your blog?

I started blogging last year after the NAEA conference. I had the most wonderful time with my lovely Kelsey and when she suggested we attend Mr. E's session on blogging I thought, "let's do it"! During the presentation, Mr. E mentioned that there was a lack of middle school blogs. With a little push from my nominator, I jumped on the bandwagon. 

2.  What excites you about being an art educator?

Is everything an acceptable answer? I am convinced, as most art educators are, that I have THE best job in the entire world. Each day comes with new challenges and that is precisely what I enjoy. My students are what keep me going. They inspire me everyday and working with them has brought such life back into my own art creating. 

3.  What do you talk about on your blog?

I designed my blog to talk about two things; art and theater (since I teach both). I haven't quite found the best way to blog about theater, so right now I am focusing on my forte which is art. I mostly share project lessons that I have created or been inspired by. I feel my projects are a twist on some of the classics. 

4.  Why do you think connecting with other bloggers is important?

Bloggers are the most generous people in the art community. They are already sharing their daily lives as art educators and at the drop of a hat they are willing to answer questions and give suggestions. 

5.  Have you met any other bloggers in person?

My bestie is a blogger and a killer one at that! I've also shook hands with a few of the big names at the AOE booth at last years NAEA convention. I was naive to who I was meeting but I know Kelsey was freaking out, so I know they rock!

6.  Where do you think your blog will be in 2 years?

Hopefully in 2 years I will have figured out the theater piece. I have so many idea, I just need to start sorting them out! I also hope to have reached more people. I still small in the world of blogging and that okay for me right now.

7.  What do you do best?

I feel what I do best is push my students. I expect a VERY high quality product out of my students. I know what each of them is capable of and they know I know when they are not doing not only just their best but better than before. Growth! I want growth!

8.  How much time do you devote to your blog?

I don't post every week as of now, but I am always thinking of my blog. I take tons of pictures that sometimes it takes too long to sort through them all. I like every step of the project so there's lots to do. I would say at least an hour a week is spent blogging in some way or another.

9.  How do you create your posts?

I create my post centered around examples. I find myself browsing through blogs looking mostly at pictures. If my readers are like me they like the element of surprise. I find it most fun to just use an image as an inspiration and then find the process of making the project through deconstruction/creativity. I steal inspiration but not lesson plans. This is why I don't post full lesson plans too often. 

10.  What wishes do you have for your readers?

I just hope my readers are inspired by my post. Cliche sounding I know, but I think that's what all blogger want. We want to share our ideas because we think there is something to gain not only in the process of reflecting through blog writing but also for the readers. I hope the reaction my readers have is, "MUST TRY!" or "Hmm I'd change this or that". Either way inspiration is happening and it's a beautiful thing. 

Here's the part of the post where I am suppose to nominate some new blogs but I think the boat stops here a little bit. Most of the blogs I follow are well established or already have this award. I would like to take a little time to thank some of my the blogs that inspire me the most. 

Of course I must start with the lady this all started with... Ms. Kelsey Lapin. Thank you for being the monkey on my back that keeps me alive in the blogisphere. You are the best pal a gal could have and I'm so blessed to have you in my life. 

Thank you Apex High School for keeping it so real. Your blog inspires me to prepare my students for this level of amazingness in high school! 

Thank you Becker Middle School. You're fighting the good fight with the rest of us middle school teachers and still your students are producing beautiful art! Plus we're state neighbors!

Thank you ART side! You've got so many fantastic project and I'll be honest...I steal from you regularly. I just love your quick lessons that get the students out of their seats and into the hallways. You are bold beyond belief...