Dear NAEA,

It's funny, prior to beginning work on my Master's; I would glance through your magazine, Art Education, The Journal of the National Art Education Association. The only articles I read were ones which were pertinent to elementary art. Now, I find myself reading and hanging onto every single word. Of course, it helps that, thanks to MU and the incredible art ed graduate program, I am familiar with the research and works of many who are referenced in the articles. After reading the March 2012 edition, however, I began to wonder if you had been reading my mind. I know that NAEA is a huge and diverse organization; yet, it is as though this edition, Business Counts, was written for me alone. I REALLY identified with The Business of Art Education, A Fairytale Adventure. I swear one of the contributors could have been me, our teaching experiences match so closely. "My art education training and beliefs were grounded in teaching art techniques and media through a formalist curriculum...just as the pedagogy of the art teachers who had instructed courses I took in school did." I blogged the exact sentiment a little over a week ago. (Granted I did not use the word pedagogy, but the meaning was exactly the same.)

Next, I was delighted to discover four whole glossy, color pages dedicated to Pepón Osorio. This man is a god, easily my favorite contemporary artist. Just that one article would have been enough to make the entire 55 pages worthwhile!

Last, I received this magazine the day before a group of Engineers came to discuss the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with all of our students grades 3-6. This was during my Sixth grade class, so I was able to observe the entire presentation. Time limits and the fact that I was supervising 31 students did not permit me to raise any questions about the way that Art MUST fit into this equation, but having read 'A Place for Art and Design in the STEM Conversation' gave me plenty to ponder. I'm still pondering!

In closing,NAEA, if you are reading my mind could you please do so in a less obvious manner? The transparency of your doing so in this edition really freaked me out.

Sincerely, your dedicated - if somewhat paranoid- reader,
Sheryl L. Lamme