Community at NAEA16

photoshlopped image, orig. found on John Chuckman's blog

When I first learned that I won the AET Outstanding Community Service Award I was so grateful not only for recognition, which is wonderful, but for the opportunity to thank the people in my personal learning community who have done SO much to support me during my struggles following my husband's very serious injury. My speech attempted to explain how my view of community changed dramatically from a group I threw ideas into to a place that wrapped me in kindness then I was incapable of giving. Then kindly held my hand while I worked on getting back into the world again. I've learned so much about love and selflessness while on the receiving end from my community. I spoke specifically of the financial donations, the catered meals, the cards of encouragement that plastered the hospital walls, the continuous comments via Facebook of prayers for recovery, and the many hands that reached out to lighten my load with sub plans, attempts at including me in things without adding stress, and not giving up on me though I was out of the teaching world for an entire year. It was so wonderful to see so many of the friends who played such an important role in sustaining me through my hardships. How humbling that they chose to honor me when really THEY (you!)  are the ones that should be honored, emulated, and applauded. My personal learning network taught me what true community means.

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SD25 Art Team, Fine Arts Director, Dryden Administration, photo taken by SD25Supt. Dr. Bein

Tim, Janine, Lauren, Alice, Chris, Tricia, Samantha, Jean, Holly, Jeanne, Craig, Theresa, Amy

Friends from the #k12artchat and #k12artchallenge on Twitter

Me with inspirational PLN friends Janine Campbell, Cassie Stephens, Cathy Hunt.

Thank you to the kind people who have been following my husband's story as I post updates on Facebook and those who know me from my art education posts on Twitter. I kept having the pleasure of running into people who I had never met face to face before who took the opportunity to hug me and tell me they appreciate what I share and/or they are praying for my husband Dave. 

Thank you to Holly for this photo. She waited outside the room to my presentation to meet me. It turns out that her husband put her up to this :)

Thank you to Kris and Tara for all the months of kindness you've given my husband and I online and the hugs I received in person.

Thanks to the many others who I forgot to photograph who stopped me to share love and support (Carrie, Tracy, Theresa, Christine, Jen, Nancy, & more.)