Jimi Herd
This NPR website highlights the work of outstanding teachers. This link is about Jimi Herd who teaches art at Swift Creek Elementary in Midlothian, VA. The story is told in an illustration with little text. To view the story please CLICK HERE.
Christo’s work in Pilzone, Italy
Artist Christo’s latest project is a walkway stretching nearly two miles that connects two small islands in Lake Iseo, in Italy’s Lombardy region, to each other and to the mainland. The artwork is in place for 16 days and again he uses yellow-orange nylon. This time it changes according to the time of day and the weather. Read about it by CLICKING HERE.
It’s Summertime!
Congratulations – the school year is behind you and it is time to take a moment and pat yourself on the back, thank your colleagues, breathe deeply, and SMILE! I hope that you will take some time and celebrate. Thank you for your commitment to arts education and the students that you reached this year!
June 28 – USM, Portland
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 16
MAINE ARTS LEADERSHIP SUMMER CONFERENCE
Arts Commission’s One Day Event Offers Variety of Outstanding Workshops
AUGUSTA, ME, June 16, 2016—Summer doesn’t really begin for teachers without some inspirational professional development to set the stage for vacation mind. The Maine Arts Commission’s Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI) offers its one-day summer conference on Tuesday, June 28, from 9 to 5 p.m. at the University of Southern Maine. The conference, open to educators at all levels, including professors and students, offers attendees a selection of 14 different one-hour workshops to provide ideas and materials on developing standards and assessment tools–as well as on other relevant hot topics. The Commission invites you to join colleagues from throughout Maine and around New England in this day long collaborative learning environment.
Workshop topics include Studio Habits of Mind; National Board Certification; Developing Music Standards K-12; Google Classroom; Creativity, A Group Inquiry and many more.
The Maine Arts Leadership Initiative, established in 2011, is committed to the development of teacher leaders to ensure deep understanding and meaningful implementation of high quality teaching, learning, and assessment in the arts.
To register and review full workshop offerings, please go to http://bit.do/mali_summer.
To learn more about MALI, the Maine Arts Commission teaching artist program and roster, and other PK-12 arts education programs go to http://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Education/MAAI# or contact Argy Nestor at argy.nestor@maine.gov or 207-287-2713.
The Maine Arts Commission shall encourage and stimulate public interest and participation in the cultural heritage and cultural programs of our state; shall expand the state’s cultural resources; and shall encourage and assist freedom of artistic expression for the well being of the arts, to meet the needs and aspirations of persons in all parts of the state. Additional information is available at mainearts.com.
Starts June 27
Are you ready to take your classroom into the 21st century? Are you in awe of your colleagues who are more facile with technology than you are? Would you like to explore how Google Drive can help you organize your classroom? This course is a great way to get your recertification credits in ONE class for 4.5 CEUs- all online!
Sign up today and take your understanding of technology to the next level!
EDE 325: Technology Integration in the Classroom, K-12 is an online course running this summer from June 27 – September 4th. Instructed by fellow educator Barb Vinal, the course will help educators best serve their students by learning how to use popular tech tools to help facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity. Exploration of technology applications (including Google apps) as well as the development of an online Personal Learning Network to include social media and bookmarking make the course relevant to individual educator needs and is designed to encourage continued learning beyond the course. Participants will develop a digital toolbox to help manage classroom lesson plans, schedules, and assessments and will enhance effective communication with students, administration and parents.
Barb Vinal
Barb has been teaching for over 30 years, and holds a Masters in Technology from Lesley University. This is the first course Barb is instructing for the Institute, and she is looking forward to working with students as they enhance their technology skills. Barb is currently an Instructional Technology Facilitator and Magnet School Coordinator in North Carolina, and she has presented sessions at multiple conferences on technology integration in the classroom.
MAC announces newest additions
Cosmos Paper Sculpture – Karen Brooks
The Maine Arts Commission (MAC) is pleased to announce the latest Teaching Artists who have been added to the free online PK-Grade 12 Teaching Artist roster. The roster was established in December 2014 and has a total of 56 artists. Artists complete an application process and have demonstrated mastery of an artistic discipline, knowledge and expertise in sequential arts instruction, good communication skills, planning and organizational ability, and an understanding of their target learners.
Tim Christensen – Sgraffito
Teaching Artists are professional artists who are dedicated to lifelong learning and arts education, have made it an integral part of their professional practice, and who have cultivated skills as educators in concert with their skills as artists.
The Teaching Artists are available to conduct high-quality learning opportunities for students (and teachers) in school settings and community organizations that offer arts education. We encourage educators and those responsible for arts education to utilize the roster by communicating directly with the Teaching Artists. Each artist has a profile on the roster that provides information to help you determine if they may be a good match for your school or arts organization.
The roster is located at THIS LINK. CONGRATULATIONS to the following artists who have been added to the roster:
Nancy Salmon – dancers
On August 10 all Teaching Artists, whether a member of the roster or not, will have the opportunity to attend a one-day professional development opportunity being held at the USM Portland campus. Please watch the blog and arts ed list-serv for the details and registration. If you are not a member of the list-serv please email me at argy.nestor@maine.gov and I am happy to add your email address.
Maine is fortunate!
We know that what a teacher offers can have an enormous impact on students development day to day AND over their lifetime. As educators retire at the close of another school year, 2015-16, I know that you will join me in THANKING them for their years of service and dedication to students across the state. Maine appreciates the commitment of the following educators and wish you well and many healthy years of laughter!
Combined the following have taught for 503+ years. HAPPY RETIREMENT!
If you know of others retiring this year who are not on the list please email me at argy.nestor@maine.gov so I can add them to the list.
Wintergreen Arts Center
YAHOOO! The Bangor Daily News features the Wintergreen Arts Center at http://bangordailynews.com/2016/06/14/living/wintergreen-arts-center-looks-to-next-10-years/?goal=0_715eed3192-1caace1553-82612601.
I had a wonderful visit to the center in Presque Isle in May and wrote about it at https://meartsed.wordpress.com/2016/05/16/trip-to-the-county/. Dottie Hutchins and the folks at Wintergreen are working on a series of blog posts about the center so you’ll have a chance to learn more. 
More than 40 years teaching
Art teacher Mary Dyer is retiring from Winthrop High School. Read about her in the Kennebec Journal.
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