me arts ed

Second Sunday in September

Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives approved by voice vote H.Con.Res. 275, a concurrent resolution expressing support for designation of the week beginning on the second Sunday of September as Arts in Education Week. The resolution had 101 cosponsors and was authored by Representative Jackie Speier (D-CA), with encouragement and support of Broadway legend Carol Channing.

Fascinating day!

What a beautiful day Tuesday was and I had the opportunity to spend it at the statewide Youth Development Institute (formerly called the drop out prevention conference). It was wonderful to see the many agencies represented in the planning, presenting and attending at UMaine. This is the first time I have attended an institute that represented such a cross section of people and organizations.

Catherine Ring and I faciliated a workshop called Motivating Adolescents: The Power of the Arts. We put together a wiki that is filled with arts education research and resources that I invite you to look at, read, and use. Some of the information is linked to websites, some are .pdf’s that you can download and some are embedded in the site. Please click here to get to the youth development institute wiki.

Finalist for Maine Teacher of the Year!

Announced today were the three finalists for Maine’s Teacher of the Year for 2011. A warm congratulations to William Buzza, Music Educator from Leavitt High School! We are proud of you! Next Monday Bill will be interviewed as part of the final phase of the process. GOOD LUCK BILL!