Archive for the ‘assessment’ Category
August 15, 2015
Stuff happening!
Every time I reflect on the work that the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI)* has underway I can’t help but smile. There are now 73 Maine arts educators who have attended the summer institute and taken on the role of Teacher Leader (TL). Fifty Teacher Leaders are taking an active role during the 2015-16 school year.
Their roles will vary depending on where they are in their educational journey. The 12 new MALI TLs will be presenting workshops throughout the state that they have created on a variety of topics. The returning TLs have used the Logic Model to take on a “problem” facing them and will solve that with a strategic plan they have each created.
In addition to the TL workshops, the biennial arts ed conference Arts Education: The Measure of Success, will take place on October 9, at the Point Lookout Conference Center, Northport. The format is unique this year to meet the needs of the 21st century. Take a look at the 1-minute videos at http://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Education/Biennial-Statewide-Workshop-Descriptions# that the nine workshop presenters have created so you can see and hear what the sessions are all about. During the morning at the conference the nine will each present for 5 minutes with 5 images to provide further information of what will be an exciting afternoon of 1 hour and 15 minute workshops (you can attend 2). This unique format is designed to provide you with more varied and deeper learning opportunities. Conference early-bird registration is available so I suggest you save yourself a spot. Once the conference is full, we will close down registration so don’t delay! Check out the details and registration at http://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Education/Biennial-Statewide.
The MALI Leadership Team continually listens to the Teacher Leaders and those who attend workshops to make available what is needed for addressing the needs of quality arts education for all students. The Maine Arts Education Resource website at http://www.maineartsassessment.com/is managed by Rob Westerberg and is continually updated with new professional learning opportunities.
The new Mission: “MALI 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.”
Please note: On August 3, 2015, MAAI, the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative, announced its new name, MALI, the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative. You can read about it at https://meartsed.wordpress.com/2015/08/09/maai-goes-to-mali/. Please email me know if you have any questions at argy.nestor@maine.gov.
Posted in assessment, Communication, Community, Creativity, Curriculum and Instruction, Food for thought, Leadership, Opportunity, Professional Development, Standards Based Education, VPA | Tagged arts education, leadership team, MAAI, Maine arts education, Maine arts leadership initiative, MALI, teacher leaders | Leave a Comment »
August 14, 2015
Those amazing leadership team members
Sooooo…. hours of meetings, zoom sessions for brainstorming, tons of time planning, phone calls for tweaking, emails of questions, google docs of compiling, scheduling and keeping lists. The dedication that the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI) leadership team has devoted to planning and implementing the summer institute has been unbelievable. I am humbled by their work and grateful for their enthusiasm and commitment.
Three of the team members have been around since January 2011 when we had the first planning meeting of the initiative’s leadership team. Periodically I reflect on where MALI is and think about how none of this would be possible without the time that the leadership team has devoted. They are funny, creative, problem-solvers with a “never give up” attitude. They are by far top notch professionals who continuously make me a better person! I am sooooo thankful and Maine arts education is fortunate! Each of the following attended zoom meetings almost weekly since January!
- Catherine Ring – Executive Director, New England Institute for Teacher Education
- Rob Westerberg – Music Educator, York High School
- Jeff Beaudry – Associate Professor, Educational Leadership, USM
- Pam Kinsey – Music Educator, Easton Schools
- Barb Vinal – Instructional Technology Facilitator, Raleigh, NC and former Maine Music Educator
In addition Nancy Salmon planned the Teaching Artist segment of the institute which received rave reviews! Thank you Nancy!
Since the Teach to Lead Summit in Washington, D.C. July 22-24, two teacher leaders have stepped up and worked with the Leadership Team with the planning of the institute. Without them the 3 days would have been very different. I want to thank the following for the work each of them have contributed intensely after returning home from the Teach to Lead Summit.
- Theresa Cerceo – Visual Art Educator, Dr. Levesque Elementary School, Wisdom Middle/High School, MSAD 33, K-12
- Kate Smith – Music Educator, Central Elementary School, PK-3
Theresa and Kate in D.C.
Please note: On August 3, 2015, MAAI, the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative, announced its new name, MALI, the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative. You can read about it at https://meartsed.wordpress.com/2015/08/09/maai-goes-to-mali/. Please email me know if you have any questions at argy.nestor@maine.gov.
Posted in assessment, Community, Creativity, Curriculum and Instruction, Leadership, Professional Development, VPA | Tagged Barb Vinal, Catherine Ring, Jeff Beaudry, Kate Smith, MAAI, MAC, Maine arts assessment initiative, Maine arts education, Maine arts leadership initiative, MALI, Pam Kinsey, Rob Westerberg, Theresa Cerceo | Leave a Comment »
August 13, 2015
Those amazing teachers
What do the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI) Teacher Leaders have in common? There are many 
similarities. If I had to select the top six, they would be:
- commitment to teaching
- life-long learners and a passion for learning
- a desire to go above and beyond
- positive attitudes
- problem-solvers
- collaborators
Sounds like many teachers in Maine and across the country you might say. I couldn’t agree more! A guest (teacher from another content) attended the MALI summer institute August 3-5 at USM, Portland and said what impressed her most about the environment was how positive the MALI Teacher Leaders are. “They weren’t sitting around complaining about what they couldn’t control but focusing on what they could do to move the conversation forward about how essential high quality arts education is for all students.”
At the completion of the three-day institute we asked the Teacher Leaders:”What about this professional 
development Institute has been useful to you?” These were some of the remarks from some of the new and veteran Teacher Leaders:
- The positive energy and the connections have been refreshing and revitalizing!
- In-person collaboration, feedback from colleagues, upbeat atmosphere, opportunity to see old friends.
- The extended time to work on our workshop ideas with experts available to de-mystify the whole process.
- The institute has made me go back and look at the MLRs; what I do now and what goals I have for my teaching in the future.
- It is the connection with others and networking. It is being able to talk with others about what they are doing, getting inspired, and and now being really pumped for the start of this year.
- All my questions and doubts about PBE has been answered. I love the feedback that I received from the other teacher leaders, and that is what has been the most useful for me.
- Connecting with other teachers, learning about becoming a teacher leader and my role within MALI. I learned a lot about assessment, proficiency, and creativity.
- I have gained an incredible amount of knowledge that I will be able to bring back with me and share!! I cannot begin to describe all of the knowledge, enthusiasm, and collaboration that the past three days have given me!
- The logic model has been so useful with guiding a plan for making change at the local level. Look forward
to a great year of stepping into a new different leadership role. Also thought that the “messaging” session was so helpful.
- The amazing feedback about my logic plan received by the teacher leaders!
- There have been so many different aspects about this Institute that have been useful to me. I think that the ability to collaborate with others and like-minded educators really helps to invigorate and inspire me in my work as an educator. I think that it is really important to connect with others and it helps to edify our energy and passion for our field and everything that we do. This also inspired me to make sure to be an advocate for myself and the arts. To continue what I have done and push towards advocacy for my program at my school. To be a resource and make myself present for others in my school building and arts educators.
- There is so much I don’t even know where to begin! I loved the fact that I was able to develop a logic model that helps me put together something that will help to benefit my program specifically. I also loved having the teaching artists as part of the plan!!!!
- Receiving feedback from my colleagues with reference to our workshop design. Networking with new and old colleagues. Hearing what everyone is doing i.e. SLO’s, teacher evaluation process, assessments, good practice, arts advocacy. How MAAI has evolved and the shift in direction. I love the new name. It truly reflects our purpose of leadership in the arts.
- The group work around written philosophies and “elevator speeches” was an amazing exercise in how many voices can blend together to create powerful messages.
Perhaps you’re thinking “wow, I’d like to be part of this type of learning”. Plan ahead and consider applying to 
be a Teacher Leader in the future. Join the Teacher Leaders as well as educators from across the state and attend the biennial conference, Arts Education: The Measure of Success, being held on Friday, October 9, Point Lookout, Northport. Details and registration located at https://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Education/Biennial-Statewide. Please move swiftly and take advantage of the Early-Bird Special and join the positive, energetic environment that the presenters will be all about!
Please note: On August 3, 2015, MAAI, the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative, announced its new name, MALI, the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative. You can read about it at https://meartsed.wordpress.com/2015/08/09/maai-goes-to-mali/. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Posted in assessment, Communication, Community, Creativity, Curriculum and Instruction, Food for thought, Leadership, Opportunity, Professional Development, VPA | Tagged MAAI, Maine arts assessment initiative, Maine arts education, Maine arts leadership initiative, MALI, teacher leaders | Leave a Comment »
August 11, 2015
A favorite part
Teacher Leaders working on their posters creating their action plans and logic models for sharing
The Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI) continues to use a Critical Friends model to provide feedback to each other as the work progresses. This years new Teacher Leaders created Action Plans that start with Essential Questions. For example, Why and how should we assess students in instrumental ensembles? The questions vary depending on what each teacher leader is learning and needing in their classroom. The template that is used helps the teachers formulate their ideas so they can present a workshop on the topic for other visual or performing arts teachers during the 2015-16 school year.
Along with the question(s), the template includes the following categories:
- Rationale
- Workshop Objective
- Workshop Description
- Timeline 1-6 months out
- Resources Needed
- Student Impact
You can imagine once the above are fleshed out, a plan develops for the workshop format. This is not to say that the plan is simple. In fact, some teachers really struggle to bring the plan together. It is amazing to watch the progress.
The returning Teacher Leaders used a different format this year – new to MALI as well. Teachers started with a Problem and a Goal.
From there they developed the following:
- Inputs
- Activities
- Outputs
- Outcomes
- Student Impact
- Rationale
A Logic Model poster with comments on stickies
The MALI team that went to Washington, D.C. for the Teach to Lead Summit in July learned about the Logic Model template and decided hands-down that it was the way to proceed with the returning Teacher Leaders.
On the third day of the summer institute held at USM, Portland on August 3-5 all the Teacher Leaders shared their ideas in small groups with critical friends and received feedback that they could immediately apply and make any of the changes.
The frosting on the cake comes during the afternoon when teachers participated in a gallery walk reviewing the plans of each teacher. It was silent for 90 minutes while each Teacher Leader provides thoughtful feedback on stickies that the teachers use to make further changes. Both groups produced an amazing amount of high quality work during the 3-day institute.
In addition, the Critical Friend assigned to the MALI team while in DC for the Summit joined us electronically to provide feedback to Teacher Leader and music educator from Bonny Eagle High School, Jake Sturtevant. It was great to watch the process in action.
Jacob Bruno from Corwin, MALIs Critical Friend, providing feedback to Jake Sturtevant
On August 20 the MALI will have a Critical Friends Day to provide feedback for the last time before they take their workshops and plans “on the road”.
Just a reminder that on August 3, 2015, MAAI, the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative, announced its new name, MALI, the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative. You can read about it at https://meartsed.wordpress.com/2015/08/09/maai-goes-to-mali/. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Posted in assessment, Communication, Community, Curriculum and Instruction, Food for thought, Leadership, Professional Development, VPA | Tagged arts education, critical friends, gallery walk, MAC, Maine arts leadership initiative, MALI, MALI summer institute, Portland, usm, VPA education | Leave a Comment »
August 10, 2015
Successful plus
Last week MALI had its summer institute at USM in Portland where 60 educators participated in professional development. On the first day 13 Teaching Artists had the chance to learn about standards, technology tools, and creativity in action. The feedback pointed to a success for all involved.
Twelve new Teacher Leaders were selected for Phase 5 and during the three days they had many chances to expand their thinking in Assessment, Proficiency and Standards, Advocacy, Leadership, and Technology. They created an Action Plan that guided them to design a workshop that they will present during the 2015-16 school year.
Returning Teacher Leaders learned about the Logic Model and how to create a plan that will lead them to action. They had workshops on Messaging, Social Media, Cross Disciplinary Teaching, and Leadership. They collaborated to create drafts of MALI belief statements on several topics that are key to MALI.
The opportunity to network and interact with each other was definitely a highlight for all attendees. The Leadership Team and some Teacher Leaders took on leadership roles to facilitate sessions. They were amazing!
On the third day each teacher shared their action plans and logic model plans using the critical friend model and ended with a gallery walk that was amazing! The teachers were pleased to have so many comments to help them with their next step. It was so impressive to see what they accomplished in a short period of time.
Teacher Leaders will be sharing their work in a more final stage on August 20 with critical friends. If you’d like to participate in the Critical Friends day please let me know ASAP by emailing me at argy.nestor@maine.gov.
I will share more information on the MALI summer institute in future posts.
Posted in assessment, Community, Creativity, Curriculum and Instruction, Food for thought, Leadership, Opportunity, Professional Development, VPA | Tagged MAC, Maine arts education, Maine arts leadership initiative, MALI, summer institute, visual and performing arts teachers | Leave a Comment »
August 9, 2015
Name Change
On February 28, 2015 the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) Teacher Leaders met and decided that it was time to consider a change – a change in the title of the initiative AND the mission. It was time because MAAI, since its inception has been committed to meeting the needs of visual and performing arts teachers and education.
The participants that day brainstormed ideas and titles and at the summer MAAI institute on August 3 at USM the new title and mission were unveiled. MAAI is now MALI – from the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative to the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative.
The Mission:
MALI is committed to providing opportunities for visual and performing arts educators to build and expand on their knowledge and skills in teaching, learning, and assessment. In addition, MALI will continue to intentionally recognize the potential in teachers as leaders and provide ways for educators to find their voices and spaces at the table.
Thank you to the MAAI/MALI Teacher Leaders and Leadership Team who helped navigate to the new title and mission for this valuable Maine Arts Commission program.
Posted in assessment, Community, Curriculum and Instruction, Food for thought, Leadership, VPA | Tagged arts teacher leaders, MAAI, MAC, Maine arts education, Maine arts leadership initiative, MALI, teacher leaders, vpa | Leave a Comment »
July 28, 2015
Fast and furious
I love the days that are jam packed with activity knowing that the outcome is a chance to bring educators together for professional learning. The task can feel daunting since there are so many details that need to be addressed but I know that there are many hands contributing to the planning. On August 3-5 sixty five educators will come together at USM to learn and talk about leadership, assessment, proficiency-based education, social media, messaging, creativity, arts census, cross content connections, and much more. The Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) is providing the summer institute for returning and new Teacher Leaders. In addition there will be 14 Teaching Artists joining us as well.
Planning for the institute, August 3-5. Catherine, Argy, Theresa, Kate
I am excited especially since the MAAI team returned from the Teach to Lead Summit in Washington, D.C. There was so much positive energy and for us it translates into the next steps for MAAI. In some ways we are reinventing the initiative. Pretty soon there will be a new title and a new mission. Don’t worry we will still include the essential components just with a clearer focus on teacher leadership. Across the country they are focusing on the value of teachers as leaders. Consequently, the country is taking notice of the MAAI and realizing what a truly “good thing” it is. Not just for teachers but for learners. If it wasn’t for them, why would we strive to do the work we do at an even higher level?
If you’re thinking about participating in the initiative consider attending the biennial statewide conference Arts Education: The Measure of Success being held on Friday, October 9, Point Lookout Conference Center, Northport. Registration is open and there is a “deal” for registering early. I hope to see you there. And, if you wish to take on a leadership role be sure and apply to be a teacher leader.
Posted in assessment, Community, Creativity, Curriculum and Instruction, Food for thought, Integration, Leadership, Opportunity, Professional Development, Resources | Tagged Catherine Ring, Kate Smith, MAAI, Maine arts assessment initiative, statewide biennial conference, Teach to Lead, Theresa Cerceo, usm | Leave a Comment »
July 3, 2015
Don’t miss it!
Arts Education: The Measure of Success Biennial Statewide Conference is being presented by the Maine Arts Commission’s Maine Arts Assessment Initiative. Now in phase 5, the MAAI has 74 Teacher Leaders who have provided over 100 workshops to almost 1500 educators. We are proud to continually offer high quality professional development opportunities and The Measure of Success proves to continue this tradition.
The one-day conference will be held on Friday, October 9, 2015 at Point Lookout Conference Center in Northport, Maine from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The conference offers a rich choice of workshops facilitated by some of Maine’s finest educators and artists. Information and registration available at http://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Education/Biennial-Statewide.
Maine Arts Education: The Measure of Success conference participants will:
- Participate in a dynamic format of 5 x 5 presentations (9 topics, 5 minutes, 5 images).
- Attend arts education workshops that are facilitated by colleagues.
- Explore assessment methods and strategies designed to expand teaching and learning the proficiency-based education environment.
- Build connections among the arts disciplines: dance, media arts, music, theatre and visual art.
- Provide networking opportunities.
- Learn more about creativity, literacy, authentic assessment, technology, and much more!
Educators, teaching artists and PK-higher education visual and performing arts teachers are encouraged to attend. The event promises to provide participants with a plethora of insights and choices for teaching in the proficiency-based education environment.
Posted in assessment, Curriculum and Instruction, Leadership, Opportunity, Professional Development, Resources, VPA | Tagged biennial conference, MAAI, MAC, Maine Arts Assessment Initiatiave, point lookout conference center, the measure of success | Leave a Comment »
June 17, 2015
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
Arts Education: The Measure of Success Biennial Statewide Conference is being presented by the Maine Arts Commission’s Maine Arts Assessment Initiative. Now in phase 5, the MAAI has 74 Teacher Leaders who have provided over 100 workshops to almost 1500 educators. We are proud to continually offer high quality professional development opportunities and The Measure of Success proves to continue this tradition.
To LEARN about the CONFERENCE and to REGISTER PLEASE CLICK HERE. (http://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Education/Biennial-Statewide)
MAAI Teacher Leaders, Biennial Statewide Conference, Leading the Way, UMaine Orono, October 2013
Posted in assessment, Curriculum and Instruction, Food for thought, Leadership, Opportunity, Professional Development, Standards Based Education, VPA | Tagged Arts Education The Measure of Success, MAAI, MAC, Maine arts assessment initiative | Leave a Comment »
Their roles will vary depending on where they are in their educational journey. The 12 new MALI TLs will be presenting workshops throughout the state that they have created on a variety of topics. The returning TLs have used the Logic Model to take on a “problem” facing them and will solve that with a strategic plan they have each created.
In addition to the TL workshops, the biennial arts ed conference Arts Education: The Measure of Success, will take place on October 9, at the Point Lookout Conference Center, Northport. The format is unique this year to meet the needs of the 21st century. Take a look at the 1-minute videos at http://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Education/Biennial-Statewide-Workshop-Descriptions# that the nine workshop presenters have created so you can see and hear what the sessions are all about. During the morning at the conference the nine will each present for 5 minutes with 5 images to provide further information of what will be an exciting afternoon of 1 hour and 15 minute workshops (you can attend 2). This unique format is designed to provide you with more varied and deeper learning opportunities. Conference early-bird registration is available so I suggest you save yourself a spot. Once the conference is full, we will close down registration so don’t delay! Check out the details and registration at http://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Education/Biennial-Statewide.
me arts ed 