Speakers Dr. JULIA L. HOVANEC, associate professor of art education, has taught art for more than 34 years beginning as an elementary and middle school art teacher in The School District of the City of York. In 2011, she earned her doctorate at Capella University with research focused on preservice art educators, professional identity construction and reflective practice. At KU, Hovanec inspires undergraduate and graduate art education students and general education students alike, and one of her major roles is supervising student teachers. She served as department chair from 2017 to 2020. Hovanec has presented on a range of topics at local, regional, state, and national conferences and facilitated many professional development workshops and seminars. In those presentations, she shares her research on interdisciplinary teaching and learning, literacy, visual literacy, picture books and reflective practice. In 2019, she was honored as the Outstanding Higher Education Art Educator Award recipient by the Pennsylvania Art Education Association. KAMAR BENNETT of Brooklyn, N.Y., graduates today with a Master of Education in secondary education. During his time at KU, Bennett worked and interned with Berks Nature and the Delaware Watershed Alliance. He educated the inner-city public, including adults, children and adolescents of Reading, on the effects of watershed. He also worked with the One World Program in partnership with Alvernia University. This program provides extraordinary opportunities for elementary students in urban areas. During the One World Program, Bennett educated students on animal habits and the effects of waste on the environment. Bennett hosted educational field trips through the Olivet Boys and Girls Club program, teaching students about environmental preservation and the importance of taking action within your community. Bennett graduated from Kutztown University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in business administration. Bennett plans to spend time with his newborn son while seeking a full-time teaching position in science within an urban school district. His goal is to engage scholars in an interactive way that increases their understanding of the scientific world around them.
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