Georgia art educators recently gathered at Atlanta’s High Museum of Art, where they looked to Cobb visual art teachers for tips on engaging and inspiring students. The six dedicated Cobb teachers led engaging sessions at the 2024 Georgia Art Educators Association (GAEA) Conference, which together art educators for hands-on, content-specific training on topics. 

Georgia art educators from across the state heard from Michelle Yoo, Keheley Elementary School; Kerri Waller, Simpson Middle School; Patricia Rausch, Kincaid Elementary School; Nicole Gaut, Palmer Middle School; Julie Denison, Kell High School; and Laura LaQuaglia, Cobb’s Visual Arts Supervisor. 

The veteran Cobb educators showed their Georgia peers enriching basic art concepts and vocabulary, handmade papermaking techniques, choice-based art lessons, STEM/STEAM projects using shrink plastic, vertical collaboration, and grade-level discussions. The sessions offered fresh ideas and actionable strategies to improve classroom practices, giving teachers new tools and insights to engage students in innovative ways. 

“Presenting at GAEA and other conferences makes me a better educator,” said Ms. Waller. “It gives me the opportunity to work as a leader in my visual arts community.” 

Waller, a seasoned presenter, emphasized the importance of sharing ideas that have worked in her classroom, hoping to inspire fellow teachers to try new approaches. 

Kincaid’s art teacher led a session inspired by her innovative "portable studio" setup, which she developed to bring flexibility to the traditional classroom. 

“Teachers attending my local workshops encouraged me to present. They felt the portable studio was an unexpected and unique approach to the standard curriculum,” Ms. Rausch shared. “My experiences presenting at GAEA have helped build confidence in my craft and given weight to my voice when I share my insight and expectations for the importance of visual arts in the public school system.”

Take it from Keheley’s art teacher; there are benefits to building connections with their Georgia peers. “Staying connected with other educators is key to keeping my classroom practices fresh and engaging,” she noted. “The GAEA conference brings together art educators from across the state to share ideas, best practices, and mutual support. It also gave me a platform to showcase the successes of Keheley’s visual arts program and my students’ achievements with my peers.” 

The GAEA Conference provided these teachers with a community of peers committed to visual arts education, offering invaluable resources and inspiration. Cobb’s Visual Arts Supervisor emphasized how critical conferences like GAEA are, “not just for the content and techniques shared, but for building a community that strengthens each teacher.” 

Cobb County’s visual arts educators left the conference energized and equipped to bring fresh, innovative ideas back to their classrooms, proving once again the district’s commitment to fostering creativity and excellence in art education.