National Education Association article
At the heart of the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative has been professional development. The opportunity to bring arts teachers together and look closely at teaching and learning and assessment is the focus. To have discussions, to process research, to exchange ideas have been the most rewarding for the arts teachers who have taken advantage of the opportunities.
The teacher leaders who have gotten their hands dirty stepping up and taking on leadership roles have echoed the importance. On top of the hard work it has been rewarding and fun!
In an August 5, 2013 article Overhaul of Professional Development Critical to Student Success, Report Says in the NEA Today Journal Tim Walker discusses professional development and the need for overhauling it. The article supports the work of the MAAI and how it is being carried out. We are continually building on the successes and looking to the participants (about 800 to date) to determine the next steps.
If you haven’t joined any of the professional development opportunities that MAAI has offered I urge you to take a look at the 35 workshops that the teacher leaders are offering at the statewide arts ed conference on October 24 at UMaine, Collins Center for the Arts, Arts Education: Leading the Way. Registration is open and I hope to see you there!
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