me arts ed

988 Members!

Last week while attending a reception on the Coast Guard Eagle I got to thinking about how precise some elements in this world are. The ropes, sails, life boats, even the mops all had their places and were ready to go at a moments notice. The crew members could each articulate their learning about every aspect of life at sea and in the Coast Guard. I asked lots of questions and many answers contained numbers so I thought I’d pass some arts list-serve and blog numbers on to you.

My goal was to have 900 members on the arts ed list-serve by June 2009, I am happy to announce that goal has been exceeded with a present total of 988. Now of course, my next goal is 1000! I realize that many email addresses will be changing because of the school district reorganization so the number could go down before it heads back up.

The list-serve started in January 2007 with 340 members. Since then one name at a time has been added, almost all are dance, music, theater and visual arts educators. We have about 1250 in the state. Other members of the list-serve accounting for a small number of the total are curriculum leaders, administrators, other content teachers, teachers of the G/T, individuals from arts organizations, and a few others. It is great to have listeners, readers and contributors from all walks of education.

The first form of information went out in a one-page format as a word document. I switched to a newsletter using the program Pages and not to long after that also posted them on iTunes as podcasts. In March of this year (2009) I started the blog. At this point, unfortunately, there are still a handful of our colleagues who can not access the blog because their schools have blocks on the use of blogs.

Between 500 and 600 visitors stop by the blog each week. The most visited section is the “professional development” information. The 4 months of blogging has opened my mind to communicating in a different manner so I am curious to learn about how it is for you? What do you like about the blog, what do you not like? What would you like to see differently, or more or less of or any comments or suggestions? I’d appreciate you posting your comments here or please email me separately @ argy.nestor@maine.gov.

I hope that more folks will sign up for the list-serve so all arts educators and others who are interested in improving teaching and learning in the arts in Maine schools and beyond will be connected to the information available. I look forward to reading your comments/feedback and posting them for others to read.

Many many many blogs

Here is a webpage that is part of the Incredible Art website that is a listing of blogs of which most are managed by arts teachers. I was sooooooooooo surprised by the number of sites included. The webpage is managed by Ken Rohrer. Please click here.

And a site that has managed by two visual art teachers and includes combined lessons for music and visual arts. Please click here.

Wondering about teaching abroad?

If you are interested in teaching abroad here are some resources and information that might help in your thinking and searching:

• Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA)
• International Teacher Blog
• International Schools Services
• Search Associates
• Teach Abroad
• Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program

The following tips were taken from list-serve posts on the Teacher Art Exchange Discussion Group sponsored by the Getty Foundation:

• Recruiting starts in Nov./Dec. and ramps up in Jan./Feb.
• Once you fill out an application with an organization you have access to their data base of jobs.
• The new trend is that teachers are contacting schools directly and being interviewed using skype.
• There are job fairs for recruiting international teachers.
• Think about geographical locations you’d like, but flexibility is important.
• Be sure your resume is updated, prior overseas living is recommended but not necessary.
• Having an online presence or presenting technology integrated examples will be helpful.
• Once you narrow your search and ideas, research the schools, country, city, position, requirements, etc.
• Ask questions that shows you are interested and have done your homework.

Please add your thoughts/ideas from experience or research you’ve done on this topic.

Virtual summer traveling and art

The Virtual Paintout blog is a network of artists who virtually visit predetermined cities all over the world each month and paint or draw from city views that appear on Google’s Street View. Then they post their work on the blog. Google has given its OK for the artists to use screen shots of the views and sell their work if Google is credited in the labels for descriptions. Click here for the blog. This painting is taken from The Virtual Paintout blog using Google street view as a resource.

A network of artists who sketch their surroundings either in their hometowns or on their travels. Click here for the website. How might you adopt either of these ideas with your students?

Where do they fit?

Periodically I am asked why creative writing and poetry are not included in the “arts” at the Department of Education. The answer is quite simple… the work at the Department of Education is centered around the Maine Learning Results: Parameters for Essential Instruction. The MLR’s, as they are often referred to, contain 8 content areas: Career and Education Development, English Language Arts, Health Education and Physical Education, Mathematics, Science and Technology, Social Studies, Visual and Performing Arts, and World Languages.

The Maine Learning Results were originally developed by educators over time, and adopted in 1997. They were published in a book with a purple cover. The legislature required they be reviewed and revised, this work took place and was completed in 2007. This set of standards and performance indicators are published online and can be found by clicking here.

Paul B. Janeczko, writer

The Visual and Performing Arts segment is defined with Dance, Music, Theater and Visual Arts. Poetry and Creative Writing are covered in the English Language Arts segment of the MLR’s. I agree that poetry can be a performance art and I have been involved in many conversations around this topic. When I work collaboratively with the Maine Alliance for Arts Education and the Maine Arts Commission Poetry and Creative Writing are included because these organizations include them in their mission.

Let’s face it, all content areas are related and connected somehow… MC Escher couldn’t create his incredible tessellations without an understanding of Geometry. An accompanying document to the MLR’s is something called Cross Content Connection and is located on the same webpage as the MLR’s (link above) and can and should be used as guidance while creating curricula that is connected. I urge you to take a look at the document.

We have many Maine writers and poets who are available for workshops and schools residency’s. To name a few that have been in contact with me:

• Paul B. Janecko: visiting writer for 19 years, K-high school. Has published over 30 award winning poetry books and poetry anthologies for your readers. Also experience teaching teachers and graduate level courses. Presents at national and international conferences for language arts teachers, librarians and literacy coaches. Paul can be reached by email @ poetguy@megalink.net and visit his website paulbjaneczko.com.
• Martin Steingesser: poetry programs for all ages, presented in engaging styles, often with sign language and/or music, sometimes in two voices, always by heart. Maine’s First Poet Laureate, 2007-09. Book of poems “Brothers of Morning”. Martin also performs on stilts and can be reached by email @ windspooning@yahoo.com and visit his website http://www.martinsteingesser.com
• The Telling Room is located in Portland and has ongoing programs for young people and is made up of “professional novelists, poets, journalists, and teachers who believe that every young writer and storyteller deserves to be nurtured…” You can learn more by contacting Gibson Fay-LeBlanc @ gibson@tellingroom.org

Please keep in mind that these are only 3 of the many offerings for poetry and/or creative writing opportunities. Please add other suggestions of writers and poets or your thoughts on this topic.

Where does my job take me?

Most of my time in the last month as been taken up with preparing for the fall state wide arts educators conference on October 8th and 9th, continuing with the syllabus and rubric development work, connecting with my arts colleagues in other states, preparing for and attending summer conferences and institutes, and going over the raw data of the Maine arts census information. In between I continue with the many small tasks of my work. Answering your phone calls and emails, writing blog posts, changing information on the websites I manage, attending meetings, scanning through research, and a list of other tasks.

Some days go by so fast (in summer and during the school year) I wonder where they went. In between my work days I spend time with my family and friends as often as possible, work in my flower bed, make art, get out on the water, walk, read, and sit on the deck wondering if the weather will interfere with outside activities tomorrow.

I try not to let my mind wander too often to the difficult parts of life; the economy, an aging mother, the cost of college education, will the Maine farmers be able to make it through this difficult weather, and how will arts education fair in the near future.

But smiling and laughing are so often the key to a fruitful day for me. People often ask me if I like my job. And my answer is this: I love the challenge and miss the direct connection with students and collaboration with educators. Yesterday I was fortunate to visit with four art educators to talk about high school curriculum. I listened and learned and I know they did as well.

I cherish the opportunities for deep conversations about where we are as teachers and what we’re doing around student learning. Both teaching and learning need to evolve over time. In this 21st century with so many changes in the world, country, and state we need to continuously improve what we do, the art of teaching is changing.

I encourage you to do the following:

• Be sure you have updated your curriculum with the Maine Learning Results: Parameters for Essential Instruction
• Ask yourself how you are assessing student learning and is it driving your teaching
• Look at the census data (as soon as it is released) and see what you can use from it to drive improvement in your teaching and students learning
• Think about your professional goals and challenge yourself to include ones that really push on what you teach and how you deliver instruction
• Find a workshop or conference to give you a chance to learn
• Find time to work collaboratively with your colleagues within your school and larger arts education communities
• Read educational journals, blogs, and research on arts education
• Be clear on what you value about arts education and communicate that in a variety of ways to your students, school community and beyond
• Be a part of positive change in your school

I know your summers are different than what your life is like during the school year. I hope you are enjoying each day to the fullest! Please email or call if I can be of assistance and feel free to respond with a comment to this post.

“A Tale of the Vienna Woods” written by arts educator and clay sculptor Cheryl Herr-Rains

For about 20 years the Vienna Historical Society located in the town of Vienna, population about 500, has been putting on original plays. Six years ago Gardiner Area High School art teacher, Cheryl Herr-Rains tried her hand at writing the play. This year Cheryl wrote “A Tale of the Vienna Woods” which is her version of “Little Red Riding Hood” and will be performed this Thursday, July 23rd and Friday, July 24th, 7:30 and Saturday, July 25th, 2:00 and 7:30 at the Vienna Union Hall.

“A Tale of the Vienna Woods” is the story of a girl who seeks fame, fortune and appreciation. The initial goal of the Red-cloaked Rosetta (Courtney Gilman) is simply to get to Gramma’s Rome cottage, but first, as the Narrator (Libby Harville) describes, she must journey through the deep, dark, dangerous Vienna Woods.

The way is filled with dastardly villains, impossible tasks, songs, dancing trees and fun adventures. Rosetta is guided by a mysterious and eccentric fairy (Muffy Floyd) intent on preserving the natural woodlands. They meet a developer, Mr. DeWolf (Dick Waddell), ably assisted by the hunch-backed Smiley (Alan Harville). Discovered along the trail is a smelly, lost woodsman (Chris Crocker) who turns out not to be who you think he is. Will Rosetta choose the traditional romantic ending?

This is Courtney’s 11th year in the VHS plays, or since she was five. Trees are portrayed by Don Peterson, Dodie Thompson, Quimby Robinson, Cheryl Herr-Rains, and Megan Burnham. The play is directed by Beverly Shaw, choreographed by Kathy Sterns, and accompanied on piano by Maisie Libby.

The second show of the evening is “Bobby Booney’s Tonic” written by Beverly Wright Smith and directed by Judy Dunn.

Admission for both plays is $5 for adults and $2 for children under 12. Please contact Cheryl if you have questions @ cherrrains@sad11.k12.me.us

2009 MLTI Summer Institute

There is still room available if you’d like to attend the summer Maine Learning Technology Institute in Castine, July 29-31, 2009, Maine Maritime Academy.

Supper Keynote! Terrific Presentations! Many technology educators who are wonderful teachers will be present to help you with your ideas and to plant seeds for new ideas using technology.

The cost is $65 per person that covers your registration, room and food. All you need to do is to get to Castine for a great learning opportunity. Please click here for registration.

What makes the arts ‘essential’? Let me draw you a picture written by Ben Donenberg, Artistic Director of Shakespeare Festival/LA

I believe the ARTS are ESSENTIAL to a basic education for all students!! What do you think? I have always felt strongly that when the arts are being considered because of economic reasons that instead of eliminating arts programs they should be added. Now, more than ever young people need the learning opportunities that arts programs offer to succeeding in the 21st century.

When I came across this article it grabbed me, made me want to respond and share it with all of you. I hope you’ll take a few minutes and read it and make a comment to let us know what you believe.

I assume if you are reading this blog that you are among the lucky ones… you know that the arts are an essential part of your adult life. Some of you are visual artists, musicians, dancers, actors and/or writers. Some of you attend performances, visit museums and/or gallery’s. Some of you are arts teachers and probably all of you appreciate the arts.

Do you think the arts are under threat? Do you think the arts are essential? If you are not sure, read the article and hear the story of a teenager who without the arts may not have been able to process or understand what was happening as she saw the darkness of the night sky sprinkled with stars.

To read the article please click here.

Chattanooga, TN Mayor’s initiative

Mayor Littlefield from Chatanooga established the Department of Education, Arts & Culture four years ago. The Department is known for ‘Connecting the Dots’ and creating innovative partnerships that engage learners of all ages.

The Department has a blog that I was made aware of on Twitter. Please take a look and think about how you could do something similar in your town, city or county. And please share a new idea or one that is taking place in your community. When a leader gets behind an arts idea many of us are aware of the impact it can make on an idea.

To get to the blog please click here.