me arts ed

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.