Introduction

Hi everyone!

My name is Leslie & welcome to my blog for our Eth & Ped class. I am from Florida, new to Chicago as of this summer, and so far I'm loving the city.
As far as my background and how I ended up in Art Education, I have always been interested in art, reading, and learning in general. These hobbies that became loves were fostered by both of my parents, and by the school I went to for my entire life (K-12. They actually gave you a special medal to wear for graduation if you had been at the school that long.). My tumultuous undergrad experience varied from Early Childhood Education as my major one year, to Accounting the next, eventually to Art History. I grounded myself then in my love of art, and I spent the past two years in Florida as an intern and volunteer docent at the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg. It is one of the most dynamic and interesting places I have ever set foot in and I am so thankful that it was right in my backyard for me to take advantage of throughout my youth & undergraduate studies.
The experiences I had throughout my life led me to the museum. I love museums, I think there is something magical about walking through the doors (into a wonderfully air conditioned space that is quite inviting when you are coming from the 90+ degree, 90+% humidity that is Florida weather) and being transported to another place & time; multiple places & times, in fact. I decided Art Education was for me when I realized that I could help others to become familiar with that magic, and to give them a well rounded experience exploring the museum by helping to educate them on what they are seeing. I am a believer in learning through experiencing, and any lesson that includes art in its teaching automatically creates an experience and makes whatever is being taught seem important and applicable. Working at the Dali showed me that art can be a translating force for all subjects- Math, Science, History, and even Art itself.
 
I look forward to getting to know everyone this semester!