I coulda had a V8 (or a Ph.d)

As I mentioned before, of the 10 Priddy Fellows there are only 2 of us who are in the Masters program, the rest are doctoral students. Tonight one of them mentioned that completing the Priddy requirements gets one very close to completing the coursework required for the Ph.d in art ed. I felt like someone should bop me on the forehead.
But honestly, if I had completed my MA before this I would never had pursued the Priddy Fellowship and so its a moot point. I'm just glad to be here. Besides I won't have to write a dissertation, or a dissertation proposal even, thank goodness. But still, there sure is a lot of reatin' and writin' to do! Yesireeebob! That said, it's all really interesting.

I had my two "Priddy classes" tonight, the ones all of us are in together, music and art alike. They are Politics and Advocacy and Mulitmedia. Both are extremely hands on, project-based classes. The Politics and Advocacy class has us out in the community volunteering, attending city council and school board meetings, writing proposals for advocacy initiatives and visiting with professionals from all constituencies. The multimedia class has us learning all kinds of fun software (Pacyderm, Photoshop and others) making all sorts of interesting interactive stuff and discussing a bunch of theory relating to new media and arts education. I can't help but look forward to it all even though it seems daunting looking over the whole landscape. One step at a time.

I'M GOING HOME TO VISIT CLIFF AND THE KITTIES! Tomorrow. I won't be back on the blog until Tuesday. Speaking of one step at a time, my first presentation is dues Wednesday. So the time at home won't be all fun and games. I'll be hitting the books too.

Check back Tuesday for the update.

Have a great Labor Day.

Fitzhugh's Problematic Dialectic

Oh Contraire Daniela, Fitzhugh's Problematic Dialectic is required reading! Thanks for the tip but unfortuately all the profs have put 2 hour time limits on the books on reserve in the library so no squirreling allowed.

I have a whole bunch of reading and writing to do but today I took time out to take a step areobics class ( Jennifer, I know you're proud of me) and was delighted to see that there were 2 or 3 other "mature" ladies in there sweating along side the all the youngsters. Sweating WITH the oldies I guess. It was great. I made it all the way through the class without falling over. Step one, check. Next week I'm going to try out a core strengthening class.

Tonight's class was Curriculum and Assessment with Dr. Newton. I think it's going to be really interesting. She seems dedicated to tayloring the class to our individual needs and interests as well as career paths. She's even considering breaking the class into groups and instructing us differently with different reading assignments etc. Dr. Newton used to be a Fine Arts co-ordinator for a large ISD. She's a wealth of knowledge and experience. In the class dept. I'm 2 for 2 so far.

I spent the rest of the day at my "office" reading and taking notes, getting distracted by getting to know the other Fellows, but that's all good. I borrowed a first edition of Lowenfeld's Creative and Mental Growth from Dr. Davis. I'm embarassed to say I've never read it, only excerpts. So since it's supposed to be one of, if not the, most infulential book(s) on art education ever written I figure it's a good place to start reading this year.

Tomorrow I have the other 2 classes back to back. Long day ahead. Time to stick my nose back in Lowenfeld, so to speak.

Relax and Breathe

That's what I was telling myself as we were going over class expectations for History of Art Education tonight. Mainly because I realized the whole time that I have 3 other classes which will require just as much and possibly more. It's been a long time since I've been in school and simple things like how to write a bibliography require research on my part. But I'm excited and this is all I have to do, thank goodness. There are folks in the program with children! Yikes!

My first assignment is to do research on the history of art ed from 1960-1980 which is right when I was in high school and college recieving art education. I will write a formal research paper, make a powerpoint and conduct a seminar for the rest of the class . Each of us ( there are 12) were assigned 2 decades and this is how we will cover the material with Dr. Davis as a facilitator. We will also do papers, powerpoints and presentations on individuals in the field. In addition we are going to learn some snazzy new software being used by Museums recently called Pacyderm and we're going to do a presentation on that as well. And finally we will be contributing to a website on the history of art ed which is an ongoing project of students of this class. Check it out www.art.unt.edu/ntieva/HistoryofArtEd/index.html

That was tonight.

The rest of the day I spent settling into my work space in the Priddy Lab. I have my own little cubicle and a full time tech guy who works right down the hall. He helped me get my computer all set up the way I want it and even found an extention cord for my coffee pot. How cool is that? And of course there's our "den mother" Dan, who is the administrative assistant for NTIVEA
who is also a computer genius who helped me set up my email and trouble shoot some server problems. Then I went shopping. I got some snacks for my desk drawer, some cheap silverware so I can eat my lunch up there, got a few desk organizing items and I'm nested. ( is that a word?)

I also took a tour of the fabulous new recreational center where I plan to take a "core strengthing" class. Wowzer. It's a beauty and all free to me.

What a day. Tomorrow I will begin research. I have no time to waste, I can see that already.

The last hazy, lazy day of Summer

I spent it reading about the history of Art Education and policy making which I find facinating which is probably a good thing since I'll be doing LOTS of reading about that. I did take a trip over to the pool around 4pm and to my delight and surprize, had it all to myself. It was lovely. I did make the big pot of veggie soup and I think I'm set for food for a while. And the fun begins!

Cooking (yes, you heard me) and Cleaning

I spent today being domestic. I did laundry, dusted and vaccumed the apt, that took 5 minutes, cleaned the bath and kitchen (10 minutes each- tops ) cooked up a big pot of lentils and rice, a big pot of beans and broiled a couple chicken breasts. (I'm going to make a big pot of veggie soup tomorrow and I think I'm good for the week. ) and then I paid bills. While I was waiting for my laundry to dry I went into the Apartment office to read ( air conditioning ) but instead of reading my new textbook I struck up a conversation with the charming young man who manages the office on weekends. He wants to be a history teacher. He bemoaned the fact that since he's a man and wants to teach history everyone asks him what he's going to coach. He has no intention of coaching anything. I told him to keep the faith.

The Dean of COVAD (College of Visual Art and Design) asked for volunteers to help clean up after the construction that was just completed (yesterday) in the studios. There was a lot of dusting to do. So I did a little housekeeping over there too. I got to meet a few more professors, I'm starting to put the puzzel pieces together.

Tomorrow is dedicated to reading, a little preparation before all the fun begins on Monday!

Pics from Denton

I just posted pictures of my apartment on my Flickr site which you can access at http://www.flickr.com/photos/yourviewingpleasure

I will also add this as a link on the list to the left here- so you don't have to tattoo it on your arm.

We Priddy Fellows

We met yesterday morning in our work space. We were oriented as to our responsibilites and what is expected of us and to what we gain in return. Definitely heavy on the returns side. Then we got our picture taken , chose our work space, chatted and ate cookies.

Basicly, Priddy Fellows are required to take 4 classes this year, 2 fall, 2 spring. We take The Seminar in Art Education ( even the music folk take this and we take a music class in the spring) and Politics and Advocacy ( this spans 2 semesters so it will be the other class in the spring).

The Seminar is about qualitative research in art ed and it is also going to deal with technology in art ed. The book is all about the computer. So We'll see, I'll let you know as we go along. This one is being taught by Matt Sutherlin who was a Priddy last year and got his Ph.d- He acutually applied to our District last spring but evidently got this gig instead.

The Politics and Advocacy class is taught by Dr. Davis, who is the director of the North Texas Institute for Educators in the Visual Arts (NTIEVA- which they pronounce N-TIVA) which manages the Priddy. He's been at UNT for 30 some years and is really dedicated to the whole field of arts advocacy. I'm looking forward. I'm told by former students that it's a real bear of a class and I'm actually glad to hear that.

In addition to the course required for the Priddy, I am taking courses required for my MA. They are Curriculum and Assessment taught by Dr. Connie Newton who is a full professor here in Art Ed, and The History of Art Ed taugh by Dr. Davis.

We have a really hefty stipend for travel and we were encouraged to spend it all. So I will definitely see you at TAEA and NAEA and will be looking into other cool things I can do with my travel money.

We were STRONGLY encouraged to begin searching for our summer internship. So if you have any brilliant ideas about that, let me know, I need to continue to make contacts.

Then we learned how to get paid, how to get our tuition and fees paid, how to use our health insurance, how to use our computers and get tech support, what equipment is available to us ( a lot of cool stuff, cameras, scanners, video, projectors, copiers, software) and how to get help for anything else.

Afterward most of us hung out and got to know each other a bit. There are mostly doctorial students in the program. I think there is only one other MA student and she's fresh out of undergrad, very cool gal named Heather who I met this summer when I was up getting my apt. She said she was "feeling behind "being only a masters student. I told her she was absolutely not allowed to feel "behind" around me. She laughed. But then I told her that there's no right time to do anything, which is how I really feel.

I'll tell you more about the others as I interact more with them. They are a mix of interests, talents, training, age, experience and all very cool. And we are off! We start classed on Monday.

I be orientated or Who Knew?

I went to the big new grad student orientation yesterday sponsored by the graduate student council. It was informative and I learned some interesting facts about life around campus. Perhaps the most interesting was the list of student organizations, which is lengthy. Here are a few I find intriguing, in alpha order:

1. American Humanics where you can learn about and gain experience in being a non profit pro

2. Book Readers' Association where you can go chat about great books.

3. Campus Cat Coalition ( I may actually join this one) where you take care of the ferel cats on campus ( in the spirit of Ann Brotherton at AHS)

4. Esoteric Mysteries Society where you explore common threads between belief systems

5. Meditation Club where you learn how to breathe.

6. Organization for Reinforcement Contingencies with Animals (ORCA) where you enhance the lives of animals and their human pals

7. The Society for the Restoration of the Equestrian Portrait of Diego Velaquez where you try to save and restore this statue in honor of UNT's individualism.

Some other useful facts

I can go to the Doctor for free!
I can take fitness classes for free!
I can get inexpensive theraputic massage!
I have free full time tech support!
I can ride any bus in the city, even the one that goes to Dallas for free!
I have access to 250 data bases for free!

All that free stuff shows up on my bill as fees, but in this case it really is free since the Priddy is paying my fees. So I plan to take advantage of it all.

I learned that UNT has 33,000 students. 7000 of those are graduate students.

And I learned that free pizza will get college students to stay to the end of your presentation.

I've been de-throned

but fortunately it's by a man so I get to keep my new blog title.

I found out tonight that the oldest grad student at UNT is 70! Rock on man! He's studying gerontology.

The youngest is 20! ( how does that happen?) She's studying anthropolgy.

Ain't life grand?

No ugs need apply

I am reminded that sterio types are grounded in truths. Sometimes more than others as appears to be the case with my neighbors the Sorority Sistas. They are rushing and are out in force. First of all there's not one who isn't a beauty and (apparently) has access to some bucks. The haircuts and colors are $125 a pop, I know these things, and then there are the nails- and the outfits, well, I remember when I had a body to show off but I don't think I pulled it off quite so well. Now let's talk shoes. . .well, 'nuff said. Did I mention the tans?

I was walking back from campus when I ran head on to a school ( as in fish) of them going from house to house listening to the pledge pitch and song and learning the secret handshake. I had to swim upstream of them, most of them talking into cell phones so I had to be extra vigilent not to wind up boob to collar bone ( mine are lower) with them.

It's a whole other way to look at life. I think being their neighbor will be anthropologically informative.

The Dean's Crib

Wowzer. The Dean has a really nice place. And the Dean himself is really nice and so is Mrs. Dean. The COVAD (College of Visual Art and Design) Mixer was fun. I got lost on the way ( I know you're surprized) so I was late and the party was in full swing when I arrived. I met a really nice sampling of grad students, staff and faculty from all the departments within the college ( I think there's studio, design and art history/ed- I should know this, I'll get back to you). so I ate, I drank, I schmoozed and now I'm tired. It's hard work being a coed.

I give

on the ma'amogram since ya'll are already calling it that. So the Ma'amogram it is. Thanks Leigh.

The Ma'amogram

My sister Leigh suggests this as the title of my blog, which, I have to admit is brilliant and really funny. However, it calls to mind 2 of the things I hate most in the world, so. . .non. . .non, non! ( a inside joke, Lisa you laughing?) but seriously, Bloggy Blogness it still is. It's starting to grow on me. Growing on any of you?

My advisor

I met with my advisor today, she kicks ass! I love her. Meeting with her really made me get excited about what I'll be learning. More on that when I learn something.

My Diggs

My pint sized apartment is so cute and cozy. I'll be posting pics soon. I met my neighbor who is a lovely young woman- a senior in college who told me that the college scene gets old. I'm sure it does, but there's really no trace of it here at my complex. Aside from the occasional chorus of " I'm proud to be a ZED" wafting across the street from sorority row, it's very quiet. And it's well maintained with trees and little winding pathways. Even though I can brush my teeth, check email and make a cupa joe without ever leaving my chair, it's plenty big for lil ol' me. I have art from my friends all over the walls which makes it super homey, and little touches from my homestead back in Dickinson which makes it less loney when I'm missing Cliff and the Kitties. I hope you all will visit, I can fit, one, two maybe three people at a time.

You Tarzan Me Ma'am OR I R OLD

Nothing makes me feel older 'n dirt than being called Ma'am. But that's my new handle. When I was moving in I went to Target to get a bookcase. As I was wrangling it into the back of my pickup a sweet young thing said, " Can I help you with that Ma'am?" After the urge to hit her over the head with it passed, I had to say, " Why yes, yes you can." And she did, with a big southern smile. I'm just gonna have to get over it. BUT at the orientation for Grad students in the Dept of Art History and Art Ed I asked some fellow students if I was in the right room and they all said in unison "Yes Ma'am"- I had to put my foot down. I asked them (somewhat politely) to NEVER call me ma'am again, ever. They all sputtered and started saying how they call everyone ma'am. yeh, right. Poor things I think I scared the beegeesoutathem. But hey, I'm sure we'll all be friends someday. Actually, it turned out to be a really great orientation. Got to meet them and all the profs. All good.
Today at the bookstore I topped out the ma'am 'o meter. So there ya go.

I couldn't come up with a title

so it's bloggy blogness. What can I say?