Thank you Fund for Teachers!

Nancy Walkup is a wonderful mentor, friend, and advocate for the arts in public education and art education in general. An accidental crossing of paths with her, yet it is really anything but accidental, changed my professional life in so many ways.  Nancy is the editor of School Arts Magazine, the NAEA Elementary Division Director (that's just one of many hats she has worn for NAEA), but the most important hat she wears is she is a nurturing mentor, formally or informally, for art educators everywhere. I'm trying to remember where I first met her...and honestly....I'm drawing a blank. It seems like I have known her forever. It must have been at the first Texas Art Education Conference I went to. I'll have to try to think that one through.  In addition to MANY other things she does, Nancy is an "information highway" for art educators. Her Facebook page reads like the Wall Street Journal for art teachers. And then there is Twitter and Ning and Pinterest and the SchoolArtsRoom Blog and the NAEA Elementary Facebook Page...and, of course, her 27 year career teaching elementary art, and her Louisiana and Texas Art Educator of the Year Awards, and her courses she teaches at the University of North Texas, the Folk Art Extravaganza professional development workshop she leads every year in Santa Fe and other art education trips she takes. I honestly don't know where she finds the time for all of this. But, probably the best thing about Nancy, is besides taking care of every art teacher she knows, she is a top notch human being.

So, why am I writing about Nancy?  The first time I heard about Fund for Teachers was on one of Nancy's many art-related Facebook posts. She shared a  . . .

Skype and Coffee by the Sea of Marmara

Sometimes life takes unexpected journeys.  In 1979 I headed to Kansas State University as a creative young girl who was determined to be a fashion designer. I followed that journey through a successful college career.  Even won a design competition beating students from FIT in New York City.  Boy, was that fun! Then I headed to Paris, France and attended Boston University's summer program at The Paris Fashion Institute.  That led me to Dallas and a job with a better women's wear company.  I worked as a designer for awhile...but soon found myself married, had three beautiful children, and my life's focus changed-I was a mom. I walked into a school one day where my son had just started school and I had one of those moment we just don't forget. I heard a voice inside of my head.  I heard "this is what I want to do. This is where I need to be." That began another one of those journeys.  And 23 years later that journey is still happening! Over the years . . .

Welcome to the new Blogging home of Trina Harlow, 2014 Fund for Teachers Fellow. Mrs. Harlow writes two blogs, but they will be migrated to this one.  Please check back frequently because very soon this Blog will be eARThshakingly awesome!

The Worldwide Color Wheel Project is a growing student-based art education phenomenon! I would love for you to join the project! It's simple and easy! Students create art inspired by the color wheel (No teaching posters!) and share it with students in another community or country using social or virtual media such as Skype. Everyday more and more components are being added to the project.  This Blog is fairly new and it will be developed more with some time.  For now, however, please view the following web links related to the Worldwide Color Wheel Project and email worldwidecolorwheel@gmail.com to get started on the project with your students!

1.  Until this Blog is completely updated and other posts are migrated here, please view the original web page for the project:  www.tinyurl.com/crazycolorfulcolorwheel

2.  Read more about the project (until this Blog is more fully developed) and other projects at:  www.eARThshakingartteacher.blogspot.com.

3.  Go to Skype in the Classroom: Worldwide Color Wheel Project  or at https://education.skype.com/projects/6322-art-worldwide-color-wheel-project

4.  View our Facebook Page at Worldwide Color Wheel Project or at https://www.facebook.com/worldwidecolorwheel

5.  Follow us on Twitter at worldwidecwp or at https://twitter.com/WorldwideCWP

6.  Follow us on Instagram at worldwidecwp

7.  Read about us in School Arts Magazine, page 12:

http://www.schoolartsdigital.com/i/271882/42

8.  Read about us on the SchoolArtsRoom Blog:

http://www.schoolartsroom.com/2014/04/the-world-wide-color-wheel-project.html

9.  See a GREAT You Tube video about the project: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ8ASn8o8hs

10.  Send an email to worldwidecolorwheel@gmail.com.

11.  All program files will be shared with educators via Drop Box.

Most importantly, join the Worldwide Color Wheel Project! Students will be engaged in higher-level thinking, holistic learning, logical and sequential thinking, 21st century learning partnered with art education, and besides that.....it is really FUN! Fun is important in education!

The Worldwide Color Wheel Project

The Worldwide Color Wheel Project was created in 2012 by Trina Harlow, art teacher, at Folsom Elementary School in Prosper, Texas. The project's goal is to color the globe, one student at a time using art and technology. These are some of the first Worldwide Color Wheel Projects.  The project was also shared with The American School of Monterrey, Mexico and art teacher Barbara Martinez.  Harlow and Martinez's students Skyped and shared their efforts. It was a meaningful experience for both students and teachers. The project is growing and changing and has recently added a humanitarian aspect as well. Art has the ability to cross borders and boundaries.  Art has the ability to unite people groups, cultures, and customs.  Art has the ability to heal. Art has the ability to spread joy.