me arts ed

USM singers on the road

In today’s Portland Press Herald an article written by Bob Keyes, that has a video embedded in it, about the USM chamber singers that take to the road to encourage students to attend USM and enroll in the music program. Read the article and listen to the video.

Kennebunk senior Michael Thyng, and USM senior Joshua Miller sing during workshop. Photo by Gregory Rec

Nominated for the 2012 Maine Teacher of the Year

We can all be proud that year after year there is at least one visual or performing arts teacher nominated for the recognition of Maine State Teacher of the Year (TOY). This year is no exception. Included in the nominees for the 2012 TOY is veteran music educator Wanda Whitener who teaches at Tremont Consolidated School in Bass Harbor. I was honored to meet Wanda at a dinner on Wednesday where the nominees were introduced to each other. Wanda attended with her principal and it was a delight to speak with both of them.

In Wanda’s nomination she was described as someone who has been quietly and gently sculpting young lives into wonderful adults for the past 30 years.  She has formed lifelong relationships with many of her students; some of them are now adults with children of their own in her music program. With a third generation in kindergarten.

At the Hall of Flags ceremony at the State House on Wednesday Wanda’s exhibit was filled with what else: MUSIC! Students performing; singing and playing. All of the Tremont second graders play the violin with string and band and choral opportunities from there through grade 8.

It is said that character is defined not by how we love, but by how we are loved, then it can be said that Mrs. Whitener’s character and ability to touch lives as a teacher cannot be matched. Congratulations and good luck to Wanda in the process. She and the nine other nominees will learn tomorrow whether they move to the semi-finalists step of the process.

Here is the list of nominated teachers for the 2012 Maine Teacher of the Year:

• David Arenstam, Thornton Academy, Saco
• Tim Eisenhart, Westbrook High School
• Paige Fournier, Lyman Moore Middle School, Portland
• Stephanie Gautreau, Yarmouth Elementary School
• Rebecca Leamon, Mount Desert Island High School
• Alana Margeson, Caribou High School
• Jolene Randall, Tripp Middle School, Turner
• Meghan Schall, George B. Weatherbee School, Hampden
• Ingrid Stressenger, Pond Cove Elementary School, Cape Elizabeth
• Wanda Whitener, Tremont Consolidated School, Bass Harbor

The Maine Teacher of the Year Program is made possible through the long-time generous support of Hannaford Supermarkets and newly added Bangor Savings Bank.

Wanda with 2008 semi-finalist Mount Desert Island art teacher Charlie Johnson, Hall of Flags ceremony March 23rd