NAEAnews. “SPECIAL NEEDS,” February, 2004, Vol. 46 (1) p.16.

Convention time is in the air. I must admit that it is a stretch of the imagination to think Spring when we, in parts of the country that get the white stuff, are ready for green. This year's NAEA Convention in Denver does have a “Déjà vu, all over again.” feel to it (to quote Yogi Berra, one of the great philosophers).

Some years ago, The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) held its annual convention in Denver. The April event came at the end of a long, cold winter that saw one snowstorm after another pile a thick layer of white over sand-covered, gray piles of snow. Finally, spring arrived and was greeted with more excitement than usual. Crocuses were blooming and daffodils were over twelve inches tall. It was a relief to see the end of the cold winter and emerging spring blossoms instead of snow.

But it was CEC Convention time in Denver, so it was time to leave those long-awaited signs of spring. As our plane began to land at the Denver airport, guess what we saw out the window? The white stuff again. Lots of it. In fact, so much snow fell that travel out of the city was not recommended. Let's hope that this time, whoever arranges the weather for conventions will look kindly upon us and fuggeddabout the white stuff!

Now it's time to think about the NAEA Convention schedule and to map out sessions to attend. Last year, this column featured a schedule of presentations and meetings that focused on Special Needs students. Several conference attendees commented that the column identified sessions they might have missed. With over 950 sessions and workshops, plus all the other events, it helps to have one location for Special Needs presentations and business meetings. So, with apologies to any that may have been missed, here is the schedule.

The presentations begin early Saturday morning. From 8:00 to 8:50 a.m., Barbara Suplee will present, “Working with Special Needs Students: Lessons Learned from Preservice Students,” on the Gold-Mezzanine Level, Plaza Building. Later that day, from 2:00 to 2:50 p.m., Priscilla Lund will present, “Teaching Art and Exceptionality” on the Biltmore-Terrace Level I, Tower Building. From 3:00 to 3:50 p.m., Beverly Levett Gerber will share information about “A Special Website for Art Education and Special Needs Students,” on the Spruce-Mezzanine Level, Plaza Building. D. Tulla Lightfoot describes “Discipline in the Art Classroom” from 4:00 to 4:50 p.m. in Directors Row H (1st floor), Plaza Building.

The first Business Meeting for the Special Needs in Art Education Issues Group will be held on Saturday, from 8:00 to 8:50 p.m. in Director's Row I (1st floor), Plaza Building. The second Business Meeting for the Special Needs in Art Education Issues Group will be held on Sunday, from 6:00 to 6:50 p.m. in Director's Row I (1st floor), Plaza Building. Please plan to attend both meetings to elect new officers, ratify by-law revisions, and discuss goals and strategies. There will also be a focus on collaboration, a “buzzword” with many different meanings. A brief presentation will describe the kinds of collaboration that work best for art teachers.

Monday brings four presentations, two scheduled for the same time. Joyce Michelina Centofanti will discuss “Inclusion in Your Art Classroom,” from 4:00 to 4:50 p.m. on the Terrace Level, Tower Building. Two presentations are scheduled from 5:00 to 5:50 p.m. Listed under “Museum”, Kit Shapiro and Amy Green will describe “ArtAccess Program for Special Needs.” And, under “Special Needs in Art Education”, Mandy Yeager will present “Art Education and Disability Resources.” Both will be located on the Mezzanine Level, Plaza Building. From 7:00 to 7:50 p.m., Malissa Smith will describe “Simple Art Therapy for the Artroom,” in Directors Row H (1st floor), Plaza Building.

Last, but certainly not least for those who have attended her presentations, Adrienne D. Hunter will present “Art: A Safe Haven in a Troubled World” on Tuesday, from 8:00 to 8:50 a.m. in Directors Row H (1st floor), Plaza Building.

SED/Arts Organization   |   SED/Arts References   |   NAEA Special Needs Issues Group   |  CEC Special Interest Group for Teachers of the Arts