me arts ed

Today, in honor of my Dad

George P. Nestor

I planned to think of my own Dad today, a veteran of WWII, who passed away 4 years ago this month at the age of 90. He was a hero who had fought in Africa, Sicily, landed at the beach in Normandy and headed north and west into Germany where he was wounded. He served as a forward observer in the 1st Division of the Army while my Mother, who he had married a week before he left for three years was back home serving as a Grey Lady helping the wounded soldiers in the US. My Dad was decorated for his bravery with many war medals and was like so many of the brave, who fight for our freedom, very humble.

As I thought about what to do today to honor my Dad (and not work) I decided to travel to the beach. Two years ago my family (husband and two sons) visited Normandy and it was an incredible feeling imagining where my Dad had been on June 6, 1944 (my Mother’s birthday). And then to walk through the cemetery and see the rows and rows of white crosses and read the names of the fallen soldiers.I felt so fortunate to have my Dad return home.

Today we went to a spot that has been on my list to visit for some time. We hiked about 2 miles to this beach that was GORGEOUS! For a moment I had to remind myself where we were and what the calendar said. The sun was shining warmly, we sat on the white sand and ate a picnic lunch of chicken soup, French bread with olive spread, hot tea and chocolate chip cookies (thanks to art teacher Sharon McCormack) and raspberry square (thanks to teachers of the year Kevin Grover and Gloria Noyes). Some of the waves were 10 feet tall as they built along the sand bar and rolled longer and longer as they came crashing to the beach. I couldn’t help to remember my Dad and how he and others fought and continue to fight for our freedoms. The opportunity to visit a beach like we did on such a beautiful day is something I never take for granted!

Normandy Beach, France

I hope each of you took a moment today to remember those who have given so we can enjoy our freedom.

Last week at ETS

I am fortunate to meet amazing teachers in my travels in Maine. Last week I had the chance to travel out of state, which is rare for me, to Princeton, NJ to Educational Testing Services, to be an observer in the process of standards setting. The 21 amazing art teachers from all over the US, who were part of the process, in the end, had determined, in an amazing process over two days, the cut off score for the Visual Arts Praxis. I was honored that two Maine art teachers were selected to participate. On the two days I was there, Danette Kerrigan, middle school art teacher from Sacapee Valley was there (and it was her birthday, first day there). Earlier in the week Chris Milliken, art teacher from Wells Middle School participated. Each of them have written a blog post which will be posted in the next couple of days so you can read about the experience from their view.

ETS employs 5,000 people and are responsible for a variety of tests that are used in the US. The staff members that worked with the teachers are amazing and very passionate about their work. I was very impressed at their art education knowledge and their desire to learn from the participants.

One of the other art teachers that was there, Ted Edinger, shared his amazing blog called Art with Mr. E. Ted teaches art at the elementary level in Metro Nashville Public Schools in Tennessee. His blog is filled with work that his students are creating, the lessons he teaches, links to other ideas, and a ton of resources!! It is a GREAT example of utilizing technology to communicate the importance of arts education and what he is doing in his classroom. I am sure you will agree with me… so please take a few minutes and check out Ted’s blog by clicking here http://artwithmre.blogspot.com He also has a post on his experience at ETS from last week.

Ted and Danette listening intently