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The depth and breadth of topics and speakers these two bring to our attention each week is phenomenal. Whether you're dipping your toe into the pool of professional learning communities for the first time or you're a seasoned veteran and technophile, the welcome mat is out every Thursday!  It's like getting professional development, pen-pals from farflung  places, and creative inspiration all rolled up into tidy 140 character packets.

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Laura and Matt Grundler have created a positive and nurturing art education environment via social media for art teachers across the U.S. and abroad through their leadership and enthusiasm for art education technology and practice. Here, teachers share their appreciation, as I do, for our #K12ArtChat community.
Thank you, Laura and Matt!

Samantha Melvin
@smelvin

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When you look up "Arts Advocates" you should see photos of Laura and Matt Grundler! They are selfless advocates for everything involved with art education no matter the level- district, state, national, or international. You can always find them involved and working hard. Team Grundler has built an enormous online learning community through their #k12ArtChat that serves as professional development in every arted topic. Laura and Matt deserve to be recognized for their passion and dedication to art education. Thanks, Team Grundler!

Donna Staten
Round Rock, Texas
https://www.pinterest.com/artgirl90/

https://twitter.com/artgirl2

https://www.instagram.com/studio.staten/

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K12ArtChat Inspires Conversations and Connects Arts Educators

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K12ArtChat Inspires Conversations and Connects Arts Educators

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The #k12ArtChat is one of the highlights of the week held each Thursday evening.  Matt and Laura Grundler are fantastic facilitators of this positive weekly chat.  My participation in the chat has led to wonderful connections with other arts educators and artists.  It has also inspired conversations and new pursuits in my own practice as art educator and artist.  I love the variety of people who are involved in the chats.  Some are just ordinary art teachers like me and others are art "rock stars".  It's fun to virtually "rub elbows" each week with these awesome people.  Many times my week has been going from bad to worse, but the chat resurrects my energy and enthusiasm.  There are many off-shoots of the chat including the various hashtags for each day.  I also connected to the #k12artchallenge through the #k12artchat.  This challenge pushes art educators to be artists too and connect and celebrate their creative work through social media.  I don't know how Laura and Matt do all this!  The blogs and other social media connected to the chat are always professionally maintained, while pushing the envelop trying new ways to keep the chat fresh.  Thanks so much for inspiring me...I took on the #WiArtChat for Wisconsin Art Eduation Association because of your influence.  You guys are both awesome and deserving of this award.

Jeanne Bjork

Visual Art Department Head

Pewaukee High School

510 Lake Street

Pewaukee, WI 53072

email: bjorjea@pewaukeeschools.org

website:  http://phsvisualartdept.weebly.com

Twitter ID: @bellafiore3

WAEA-Secondary Division Art Educator of the Year 2015

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Matt and Laura have created a PLN and community of arts in education teacher leaders. I say arts in education because they foster a growth mindset for learning across content areas with a common goal and connection of creativity and art. I'm glad to have this PLN to learn, to grow, and to look to for the most up and coming professional development as well as best practices we can use and share in our schools across the globe. Thank you to Matt and Laura for having a vivid growth mindset about arts in education and how to grow others as leaders in their schools, states, and beyond.
Artfully,
Nikki F. Kalcevic
@NikkiFayK
AAE Middle Level Rep & Vendor Coordinator
Ardis Ann MS; Bentonville, Arkansas

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#TeamGrundler                   The Encouragers! 

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#TeamGrundler                   The Encouragers! 

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In the Summer of 2015 Matt and Laura stumbled across what would become #K12ArtChallenge. Through their encouragement the challenges continue. The rewards of which can be seen in the amazing creations teachers have shared on social media. The challenges started as a means to learn innovative new skills and techniques to bring into the classroom. Now the goal is to encourage teachers to follow their passions, to create, to innovate and to share their experiences on social media and In the classroom. Part of that goal, "to encourage teachers, "  states quite simply why #K12ArtChat   and #TeamGrundler are here... to encourage.

We thank you Matt and Laura, for encouraging each of us to give our best for art education in the field of art education technology.

Arlene Shelton
@smARTisteacher

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'Sharing is caring' has been my mantra as an educator for a long time. We all know there are significant challenges in schools, and although I don't have all the answers, I've always believed that in going forward our biggest asset as teachers is our collective experience. In this capacity, the the work that Matt and Laura do to highlight best practice, de-privatize classrooms, broadcast our successes and create a network of support is so valuable. They are creating change, one chat at a time. During #K12ArtChat I've seen so many lightbulbs go off, new ideas emerge, solutions evolve and collegiate friendships develop. While these communities may be digital, the benefits to our teachers and their students are very real. The work that Matt and Laura contribute extends across the USA...even to Australia!

Thank you for all your, energy, action and important contributions, Team Grundler. #makingadifference

Cathy Hunt
Arts educator, www.ipadartroom.com @art_cathyhunt

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#K12ArtChat Expands the Educational Conversation

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#K12ArtChat Expands the Educational Conversation

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Almost 2 years ago, Laura and Matt Grundler (Team Grundler) began actively asking me to participate in their new chat, #k12artchat.  Unlike other chats, the minute I popped on, I was instantly hooked.  I began blocking out 8:30-9:15 PM CT on my calendar every Thursday just to be a part of this incredible community of teachers and learners.  What amazed me was the depth of conversation, the wide variety of topics and the passionate inclusion of ALL teachers - from any and every subject area - to talk about how arts ed weaves indelibly throughout the educational fabric.  Having gotten to meet and know Team Grundler, I can personally attest to their dedication to helping all teachers grow in their practice and help foster the connections in and through art.  Even more outstanding is the community they have built on a technology platform (Twitter) that can be intimidating to people who are not familiar with it.  They patiently help newbies while simultaneously encouraging veterans to lead, share and mentor.  Everyone is welcome and all are valued.  Team Grundler is a model for educators everywhere on the power of collaboration and it is an honor to be along for the ride.

- Susan Riley
Arts Integration Specialist
Founder, EducationCloset.com
@susanrileyphoto

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Team Grundler (Laura and Matt) are the dynamic duo of technology in art education as they work together to create and grow community among art educators. Through their weekly #K12ArtChat, art educators from across the nation are connected in hour long Twitter chats. Matt and Laura have hosted the chat themselves, have tapped some of us other art educators to host, and have recruited many special guests to host an evening chat. Through the #K12ArtChat, the large community of art educators has increased exponentially, thereby forming a very large art education professional learning community.

Alice Gentili
@monalisalvsheah
www.monalisaliveshere.me

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#K12ArtChat is more than just another hashtag 

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#K12ArtChat is more than just another hashtag 

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While many #artsed teachers have used a variety of hashtags to communicate and share, #K12ArtChat is very different. Through the passion and dedication of Laura and Matt, an active and engaged community of art educators from around the world takes shape. While many art teachers are often isolated as the only art educator in the building, #K12ArtChat has found a way to create community.  Thank you, Laura and Matt, for taking the time and energy to help us learn and grow from each other. Together we are stronger!

Theresa McGee
Art & Digital Media
Hinsdale Middle School, Illinois
@TheresaMcGee

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As a life long textile artist, I can't resist using a fiber metaphor to describe the Matt & Laura Grundler do for the art education world!  #K12ArtChat has become a beautiful fabric of ideas, encouragement, friendship, and support to art educators around the country.  The weekly Twitter chat they plan utilizes technology to it's fullest as they moderate the real time discussion from art educators around the world.  I have grown my practice through this personal learning network, and taken the juicy nuggets into my classroom to share with my students.  I'm amazed by my friends!  Laura is my school district's (Plano ISD) Visual Art Coordinator, and Matt is an art educator colleague in Plano as well.  I know Laura and Matt up close and personal.  I think the thing I am most grateful for, is that the work the do for our district (inside their job descriptions), AND the work they do like #K12ArtChat (outside their job descriptions), comes from their hearts and their excitement about art education.  It's authentic and real.  They deserve all kinds of recognition for the work they do - because when you talk to them about it, it's all in a day's work!
-Christine Miller, Texas
2016 NAEA Western Region Secondary Art Educator Award
@tagartteacher

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Together The Grundler Art Dynamic Art Duo has helped bring together educators from a variety of fields to discuss best practices in art education. The weekly chats, challenges and hashtag have become a moment to join forces with art educators for PD and fellowship. I have gained wonderful new friends in the field that inspire me daily. The world of professional development on Twitter enlarged for art teachers thanks to the Grundlers!
Thanks for the efforts,inspiration, and time you invest in promoting educational discussions...
-Holly Bess Kincaid, Virginia
VAEA Secretary
@artladyhbk

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Laura and Matthew Grundler bring teachers of all kinds together on Twitter

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Laura and Matthew Grundler bring teachers of all kinds together on Twitter

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Thanks to Laura and Matthew Grundler, I've met dozens, if not hundreds of teachers who want to make their classrooms (art or otherwise) better tomorrow than it was today. I've learned through these teachers about the importance of integrating the arts in core subjects, encouraging students to be creative and take risks, and the importance of embracing our own individual uniqueness. The Grundler's bring educators together via their #K12ArtChat to make positive change in all classrooms around the globe! I sincerely appreciate their contribution to education!

- Paul Solarz, 5th Grade Teacher, Arlington Heights, Illinois.

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#K12ArtChat means more than a hashtag. It means friends.

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#K12ArtChat means more than a hashtag. It means friends.

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A few years ago, I made it a goal to try to better myself through online professional development. Sure, I got some creative lesson ideas to teach my students and picked up some great techniques on how to use technology in my classroom, but in all honesty...The thing that I treasure and find most valuable are the relationships that I've made with the tremendous educators around the world in my PLN. I'm very proud to have Matt and Laura Grundler be a part of that group. Week in and week out, they do an excellent job of bringing people together to talk about all aspects of art and teaching art through their twitter chats and #K12artchallenges.  I'm amazed at the amount of time and energy that they put into the promoting of art advocacy.  I'm impressed how they supportive of each other.  I've got to know them and spent some time with that at various conferences and couldn't be more proud to call them my friends.

Thank you for all that you do,
Chris Parker
@Kreyus

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#K12ArtChat has made my art world open up! 

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#K12ArtChat has made my art world open up! 

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Before Laura Grundler became our Art Coordinator in Plano, and before she and Matt created this incredible resource, my art world was so small compared to now! I know many teachers in my area, I even know many art teachers in Texas. However,  the art world has literally opened for me as I have connected to so many amazing art teachers and advocates from around world through this PLN! I have learned strategies, techniques, met people who are passionate about art education like me...these people are my tribe! My students are benefiting as well since we connect through challenges with other school in other states! I am completely teaching in a new way, using different strategies, unique approaches, and I would not have had the know- how to do this without Team Grundler and this bunch of amazing experts! Laura and Matt spend so much of their own time making sure we as a community stay connected, and I am so thankful for both of them!
Tracy Evans
TAEA Elementary Division Chair

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After staying home for a year during my husband's recovery, I began following team Grundler and their monthly art challenges to get myself back into the swing of things. Not only did their #k12artchat connect me art educators it inspired me to flex my creativity muscles and learn new techniques. I love exploring the twitter posts with the #k12artchat hashtag to see the latest and greatest ideas for creating, infusing technology, and best practices from art educators across the globe. What the Grundlers have started has become essential for my professional development and engagement in the art ed community. Thank you!

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#k12artchat Brings Art Educators together

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#k12artchat Brings Art Educators together

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I met the Grundler Team at the NAEA 2014 convention in New Orleans. They mentioned that they had created something called a Twitter Chat for Art Educators. They explained the idea and I was in... I was in on the chat and in turn, in on twitter as professional development. This tool has connected me to so many other Educators and Artist all over the world. The connections have been facilitated not only for me but hundreds of other via #k12artchat. We have a worldwide #PLN (professional learning network) that celebrates each other, challenges each other, and grows together. It wouldn't have happened if it weren't for Matt and Laura. I can tell you on a personal level I admire the dedication they have given to connecting educators on the chat. I'm also in awe of the support they have for each other and their family.  They are a creative group and I'm proud to call them my friends.

Nic Hahn
@minimatisse

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#k12artchat makes an impact on art educators

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#k12artchat makes an impact on art educators

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I can attest to the impact the Grundlers have had through the #k12artchat and the #k12artchallenge, it's helped change the way I teach and had a positive impact on me as an art educator. I've
been interacting with great artists and educators weekly thanks to their social media spaces for years and it's been a wonderful learning and sharing experience. I thank them for giving me a greater sense of belonging in the arts ed community and highly recommend them for this honor.

Tim Needles