me arts ed

Lesley University

On Wednesday I received an email from Tracy Davis at Lesley University. I’ve always been interested in their Integrated Teaching Through the Arts Masters program. My curiosity is partially due to believing all educators should look at a “connected” approach to teaching. It puts me on tilt when any content teacher believes that one subject is more important than anything else. All content areas are important if we want young people to have the opportunity to reach their potential. And why cut up the pie of learning and give out the pieces separately and expect young people to make the connections on their own? During most of my 30 years as an art teacher I connected art about 90% of the time, sometimes on my own, but most of the time with other teachers.We did interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, and integrated units. It certainly was more fun to teach in this manner and I know it was more meaningful and a deeper level of learning happened.

My other interest in the Lesley program is because I’ve met so many teachers who have gone through the program (not just all arts educators) and have positive comments about their learning. Their outlook on teaching and learning has changed.

Briefly… here is what is happening…. a cohort of this program is starting in Western Maine, specifically Oxford Hills, and they are seeking individuals who are interested in taking the plunge. This is a good time as any to check out the integrated program that Lesley offers. Here is the description:

The Creative Arts in Learning Programs have earned a far-reaching reputation for their innovative perspectives in the arts and in education. Educators and other professionals seeking to integrate the arts into different areas of learning–from classrooms to museums to community settings–value the division’s highly creative and spirited atmosphere.
Through stimulating courses and numerous hands-on experiences, students discover the power and potential of the arts to reach children and adults in new and effective ways. Students also engage in exciting personal explorations of their own creativity, uncovering in the process their innate talents and strengths. The division’s strength rests in its underlying philosophy that the arts are central to human learning, and can serve as a foundation for education in many different settings.
The program, offered at a number of off-campus sites (Oxford Hills, Maine), is delivered in an intensive weekend format, where a cohort group moves together through a sequential program of study. This format allows working professionals to continue to teach or work in a related setting, while using their classrooms as learning laboratories to test, evaluate, and implement the theory and practice of arts-integrated curriculum.

To learn more about this what could be a life changing program, please click here or contact Tracy at tdavis@lesley.edu.

Artists Showcase: Friday – Eco by Jennifer Bourgeault

Jennifer Bourgeault - photo by Frank Chin

Choreography: Jennifer Bourgeault and Jenny Letendre
Performance: Jennifer Bourgeault
Music: Andrew Bird

Eco is an excerpt from Collective Motion’s evening length work to be debuted Spring 2010. This is an abstract work about humanity’s impact on the environment.

Jennifer Bourgeault graduated DeSales University in 2005 with a BA. in Dance. Returning to Maine upon graduation, Jennifer established Collective Motion a modern, innovative company of artistic dance which embraces and furthers the spirit of the collaborative arts through the promotion of area dancers in roles of both performer and choreographer.

With Collective Motion, Jennifer has taught technique classes, set company repertory and performed for high school dancers in Southern Maine.

As an individual teaching artist, Jennifer is a guest choreographer for Thornton Academy and Portland Arts and Technology’s dance department. Currently, Jennifer is expanding her focus to include dance instruction at the pre-school level. To learn more about Collective Motion please click here.

Workshop: The Inclusive Visual Arts Classroom – by Corda Kinzie

Rachel Spatz

While at the Arts Connect Conference I,  and about 20 arts educators had a chance too attend a session with Rachel Spatz.

Those of us who attended her session had a great opportunity to see how to use materials that make it easy to join in an art lesson whether you have a broken hand, a sprained wrist, a physical, motor, learning, communication, or any other  disability.

Rachel led us in a hands-on experience of many ways to adapt materials for our students. If you are looking for ideas on how to include every student in your art classes or ways support students who want to join in art projects in general classes, Contact: Rachel Spatz (rspatz@vsartsmaine.org)  the Education and Program Director for VSA arts of Maine. She has some great handouts on adaptations for students.