me arts ed

Satisfaction

A huge THANK YOU to the teachers reading this blog post. Even though I’m not in the classroom every day I have a glimpse of your roles and responsibilities when I substitute. The part that amazes me is how much the role of a teacher has shifted in a relatively short period of time. You’ve become teachers, parents, social workers and much more. I read with sadness the article in last weeks Maine Sunday Telegram about the number of students without homes and the responsibility of the schools to help students get to school and stay in school by providing meals, clothing, and a place to clean themselves. It is clear that without everyone working together children won’t learn and be successful. My huge THANK YOU doesn’t express how grateful I am to each teacher who cares deeply about students.

At this point in my life I’m having opportunities to see former students as community members. Some of you know that I am co-chairing my town of Union’s Sestercentennial celebration – 250 years. The town appointed committee started work in September of 2022 and the culminating event is July 19, 20, and 21, 2024. I work with amazing community members and school personnel who are all about collaborating to create the best possible celebration.

Two artists-in-residency’s have taken place at Union Elementary School with all students in grades PreK-6. Music educator Scott Dyer has written a musical called The Trees Remember based on the history of our town. As arts educators we know that when students are provided opportunities to sing, dance, recite, create costumes and sets that they rise to the occasion and shine! And shine they did in front of an audience of 400 which included families and community members.

The second residency is with music and dance teaching artist Chrissy Fowler from Flying Shoes who is teaching the learners contra dancing. This form of social dancing is community-based, helps connect people, cultivates pro-social behaviors, and supports social/emotional learning. The figures and dance steps are simple, which helps all skill levels and ages participate together. On May 17, 6:00-7:30 the community is invited to a contra dance at the school where families and the greater community will come together and dance.

These are just two of the many activities I’ve been fortunate to work on with the town of Union and the Union Historical Society. If you want to learn more about the 3-day event please CLICK HERE for the schedule.

You may be wondering what does this have to do with teacher appreciation week. Through my volunteerism on the Sestercentennial I’ve had the pleasure of watching and listening to many former students who are involved in our town on different levels. The work we do while teaching is one thing but to see students as adults integrated into community and their world of work is fascinating. Appreciation has shifted for me to a different lens. It has never been more clear that the education we provide students goes way beyond the classroom. The social, communication, collaboration and flexibility skills that we teach are critical to the health of our communities. I’m learning, first hand, that the impact goes way beyond the few years that young people attend school!

Here is one example of the importance of our teaching…

Andrew White was a very creative student in my middle school art classroom. He graduated from Medomak Valley High School (Waldoboro) in 1992 and went on to Massachusetts College of Art and Design. He returned to our community and on occasion our paths crossed during the last few years. One time he was working with elementary students building a pizza oven at a nearby school when I had a chance to see him in action with learners. He wasn’t just building a pizza oven but teaching the learners about the Fibonacci Sequence. Immediately I realized what an integrated thinker Andy is. Today he is a maker, a combination of designer, fabricator and problem solver. It’s evident in conversation that his multi-dimensional thinking is interwoven throughout his thinking and being and is what he brings to every task. He specializes in architectural steel work and supporting the arts community of Midcoast Maine. He works out of and manages Midcolab, a collaborative co-working shop in Thomaston.

Fortunately, he agreed to look at one of the projects we’re tackling as part of the Sestercentennial. Come Spring is a book based on the lives of the early settlers of Union. Inside the front cover there is a map with locations showing the places shared in the book. In 1968 the map was painted by an artist who split her time between Brooklyn, NY and Union. It sits on an angle and is 5′ X 5′, and is on the corner our common. It was repainted in 1982 by Donna Morine who has lived in Union for many years. From all the years in the sun the painting as faded, the frame bent from the frost and the legs are rotten from the road salt. The Sestercentennial planning committee decided this was a great time to refurbish it.

Andy immediately offered his expertise and brought an artist/sign painter to look at it who agreed to make the painting. There was lots of discussion, email and text exchanges and Andy kicked into action creating possibilities. In addition, the collaboration includes a graphic artist, a stone mason (another former student) and consultation with several others who Andy has worked with over the years.

Earlier this week Andy and I did a presentation to the Select Board for approval of the concept. (Talk about fun!). The work has gone to the next level and we are grateful for the town support, including donations from individuals and families to fund the project.

Needless to say I am over the moon when I think about Andy sitting in my art room all those years ago and seeing where he is today. (Please note: I don’t take any credit for Andy’s success). My smile is wide thinking and learning about the meaningful work (directly related to art or not) that these young people are doing (OK, maybe not so young, Andy will turn 50 in July), I couldn’t be more proud. Teacher Appreciation Week has turned into Student Appreciation for me. Former students like Andy are living their dreams every day. It doesn’t get any better than that!