I filled an exhibit (over 100 pictures) on our online digital art gallery on Artsonia with my Draw Something sketches. Take a peek at them here and see if I successfully communicated the word I chose from the game. Write your guesses as a web comment~ 
I would love to hear from you!

Artsonia is now offering a full line of Art Snappables in their gift store! This is a wonderful way to celebrate your child's art while accessorizing any outfit. I love my snappable necklace. I can choose a different piece of art for every day. 

I was invited to Keynote at the USSEA conference in Indianapolis, IN.
I was surrounded with some of the greatest minds in Art Education: (Enid Zimmerman, Marjorie Manifold, Elizabeth Delacruz, Juan Carlos Castro) Professors of preservice Art Educators, Doctoral students, Researchers, innovators, thinkers, and ...then me?!?

I was distracted by the flow of polysyllabic words during the presentations but loved the challenge to dust off the cobwebs a bit and join in the conversations. I'm on the front lines as a K-5 art educator putting theory into practice amongst the constraints of curriculum, schedules, resources, management, and time.
What I had to share was my technology rich and connected classroom at Dryden.
I shared my stories of how my students have had authentic audiences because of our connectedness. 
My students have made literature inspired art projects and then connected with their authors online.
My students have made art that was shown on websites, textbooks, 30ft LED screens in NYC, on TV, and shown in children's museums around the country.
My students have made Fugleflicks (student-created, art-related videos) that have screened at local, national, and international venues.
My students have connected with app developers as they use their apps on ipads.
My students have won recognition for their artwork in state and national exhibits.
My students continue to wow me with their high levels of motivation, effort, and achievement. 
My students have taught me to TRY MY BEST as an art teacher.

15 IEA educators recognized as Teachers of the Year in their fields
The Illinois State Board of Education, IEA and IFT gathered June 21 to recognize more than two-dozen Illinois educators who have been awarded Teacher of the Year awards by various organizations. Read the story here. See the video below. View the photos.

As I put my keynote presentation together this week for the USSEA Conference (read this press release), I'm reflecting on how a Technology Rich and Connected Art Room benefits my students.
The biggest advantage has to be the authentic audience for my students' creative projects.
We use technology in our art room for art instruction and art production to energize, engage, enhance, and enrich student learning. 

There are TONS of comments for our students on Artsonia that need your approval! To six reasons to check your child's comments today (or at least before June 30th)!

1. It will make your child happy to hear the good things people are saying about their artwork!
2. Comments checked before June 30th count towards this year's hall of fame status (after June 30th they don't count for anything)
3. Every comment checked and approved before June 30th adds to Dryden's overall stats for participation. See where we are now.
4. I made it easy for you with this tutorial.
5. I'm ready to help if you can't LOGIN for some reason. Just email me at tfuglestad@sd25.org
6. Here is the link to login and check those comments. P.S. If there aren't any comments waiting, consider writing some:)

Dryden Elementary wrapped up the year with a couple super fun celebrations in honor of our school's 60th birthday. 

Take a look at our ALL SCHOOL LIP DUB below:

And take a look at our Staff Flash Mob Dance to surprise the students on Field Day!

I was recently honored with the opportunity to be interviewed for Anthony Salcito's 365-day look at global heroes in education for his DAILY EDVENTURES blog.
At first I thought that they were confused about who I am. I work in a little elementary art room in the suburbs of Chicago. How could I be worthy of the title, "Global Hero" ? 
---READ THE INTERVIEW HERE---
I'm still not convinced that what I do with/for my students is all that heroic. I'm certain my teaching experiences have been shaped by my great fortune in working for a forward- thinking supportive district, surrounded by talented teachers, within a school full of wonderfully creative students.

My last group of 3rd graders reflected on what they learned in art class this year. 
Then, they created a tiny video recording saying what their favorite project was and why.
From what I was hearing,  winning project for the year was: 
The Doink Animation Project. View it here.
These little videos were added to their digital portfolios that they will receive at the end of 5th grade. They will be so excited to view these again in a couple years.

This is the video I use to introduce the Reflect-o-vision lesson.