Joyful Noise from Jan Fedorenko ...

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​It has been a very busy year at my house!  I am blessed to spend much time with my beautiful treasured grandchildren during this semi retirement stage of my life. They are exhausting, but it’s never a dull moment for MiMI and Poppy.  

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​I learned to never say never when we added a new puppy to our family after I said I wasn’t going to be tied down again.  Mia Bella, an Australian Shepherd, has brought energy and love to our home and is a true beauty. She loves the grandkids and is very playful!!

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​I am keeping very busy during my semi-retirement and enjoy continuing my art experiences but in teaching and creating!  I continue to be an adjunct for OSU at Newark campus teaching the History of Art and Music and Curriculum Concepts in Art for Elementary teachers.  The college students keep me inspired and always learning something new!  It’s my brain gym and my passion. 
I also am honored to again be an Artist in Residence for the Ohio Arts Council's TeachArtsOhio grant program. This year I'm teaching for 36 days at two middle schools in Westerville.  Working with Jules Rathj, we are implementing issues of social justice, identity, and empathy through community based arts integrated projects.  It is a welcoming challenge to be able to actually teach again in a classroom of middle school students who also serve as motivators for my continued learning! 
It was wonderful to be able to attend the 2021 OAEA Conference even if it was for only one evening! I enjoyed connecting again with treasured colleagues and friends and watching the leadership evolve and add energy and insight to the organization. I am proud to be a member of the organization and to meet with such dedicated art teachers.