The Biennial Statewide conference provided a unique format with 5X5 presentations – our version of Pecha Kucha. Each of the workshop session leaders presented for 5 minutes using 5-8 slides. These took place during the morning of the Measure of Success conference which gave participants a chance to hear and see and appetizer of 9 different topics.
On top of providing the workshops each of the presenters put together a plethora of resources and they are available to all of you! When you go there you will be totally blown away at the amazing resources they collected which are now living at http://www.maineartsassessment.com/#!measure-of-success-conference/chki. DON’T miss them.
During the afternoon of the conference presenters jumped into the 9 topics by providing hour and 15 minute sessions on the following:
Studio Habits of Mind: Using the “Hidden Curriculum” to Encourage Student Autonomy with Visual Arts Teachers Theresa Cerceo from Dr. Levesque Elementary, Wisdom Middle/High School and Janie Snider from Hancock Grammar School
Making Maine and ME with Visual Arts Teacher Jennie Driscoll from Brunswick High School
Evaluating Individual Proficiency within the Large Ensemble with Music Teacher Jen Etter from York Middle School
Dancing with the Creative Process: How to incorporate standards-based dance and movement activities in classroom learning and assessment with Dancer, Educator, and Teaching Artist John Morris
In the Midst of Madness with Music Teacher Jen Nash from Sabasticook Valley Middle School, Dance Teacher MaryEllen Schaper from Bonny Eagle Middle School, and Associate Professor, Educational Leadership from USM Jeff Beaudry, Ph.D.
Empathy, Kindness and Wonder, Arts Integration at Work with the Director and Founder of Sweet Tree Arts Lindsay Pinchbeck
Brains on Fire: How Research on the Brain Can Inform Arts Education with the Executive Director of the New England Institute for Teacher Education Catherine Ring
From Cool to Tool: Technology Integration with Student Learning in Mind with Music Teacher Kate Smith from Central School in South Berwick, and Mt. Blue High School in Farmington Teacher Dan Ryder
Proficiency Based Learning: An Advocacy Story Music Teacher Rob Westerberg from York High School
A GREAT big thank you to each of the presenters for the 9 sessions. YOU were truly amazing!
Please note: On August 3, 2015, MAAI, the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative, announced its new name, MALI, the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative. MALI is a program of the Maine Arts Commission. You can read about it at https://meartsed.wordpress.com/2015/08/09/maai-goes-to-mali/. Please email Argy Nestor if you have any questions at argy.nestor@maine.gov.
I know that the professional learning opportunity on October 9 is going to be so valuable that I’ve written a “Dear Administrator” letter that you can use to support your request to attend. The Biennial Statewide Arts Ed conference, The Measure of Success, is being held at Point Lookout Conference Center in Northport. The letter goes like this… (see below) and can be accessed by clicking here http://mainearts.maine.gov/CMSContent/arts_in_education/Biennial_Statewide/MALI_Letter_of_Support.pdf. (you can download it from there easily). Please note: I realize that the formatting might be a total mess below but I promise that when you download it from the link above that it will be fine!
TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE EARLY-BIRD REGISTRATION COST OF $90. Tomorrow the cost goes to $100 and the day of the conference, the walk-in cost is $110. I hope that you can join us!
June 2015
Dear Administrator:
The Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI – formerly known as the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative) is pleased to announce the 2015 Biennial Statewide Arts Education conference “Maine Arts Education: The Measure of Success” will be held on Friday, October 9, Point Lookout Conference Center, Northport. On behalf of your visual and performing arts education teaching staff, I encourage you to support their participation in the conference. We are fortunate in Maine to have a vibrant community of arts professionals who will attend the conference with the common goal of advancing arts education for the benefit of all students in schools across Maine.
MALI (MAAI) was established in 2011 by the Maine Department of Education and is presently a
program of the Maine Arts Commission. The conference program is grounded in the 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.”
Conference opportunities include engaging workshops on Assessment, Teacher Effectiveness, Arts
Integration, Proficiency-Based Education, Movement/Dance and the Creative Process, Brain
Development, Studio Habits of Mind, Benchmarking in Music, and Assessment in Visual Arts. These
workshops will showcase the latest in research and practice, provide interactive learning through
hands-on experiences, and challenge teachers thinking. The content of the conference can be applied
immediately to teaching and learning in your school–helping to advance your goals.
The MALI shares your vision for ensuring that Maine students receive the best possible education and
that your teachers possess a deep knowledge and understanding of teaching and learning. The
professional learning opportunities made available through the MALI are unparalleled in the field of
visual and performing arts education in Maine. MALI offers a comprehensive opportunity for educators who are engaged with the arts in learning to experience exemplary practices, methodologies, and research.
I appreciate your commitment to visual and performing arts education and in supporting your arts
educators with release time and in whatever way you can, so they may attend. In closing please accept
my gratitude for your leadership that ensures a quality, comprehensive education for all students across Maine.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions by email argy.nestor@maine.gov or by phone
207-287-2713.
Yours in Arts Education,
Ms. Argy Nestor
Director of Arts Education
Maine Arts Commission
The conference is brought to you by the Maine Arts Learning Initiative (MALI), a program of the Maine Arts Commission.
Please note: On August 3, 2015, MAAI, the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative, announced its new name, MALI, the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative. MALI is a program of the Maine Arts Commission. You can read about it at https://meartsed.wordpress.com/2015/08/09/maai-goes-to-mali/. Please email Argy Nestor if you have any questions at argy.nestor@maine.gov.
Below is the schedule for the Biennial Statewide Arts Education Conference: The Measure of Success being held at Point Lookout Conference Center, Northport. Registration and other details are located at https://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Education/Biennial-Statewide. Early-bird registration is $90 and lasts until Thursday, September 17. ($100 after that and day of conference $110) Don’t miss this great learning opportunity with colleagues from across the state! The conference is brought to you by the Maine Arts Learning Initiative (MALI), a program of the Maine Arts Commission.
Friday, October 9, 2015
7:45 – 8:45 Registration and Check-in Erickson Hall Coffee and Tea
All morning sessions will be held in Erickson Hall
9:00 – 9:40 Arts Education: The Measure of Success, Opening
Welcome: Argy Nestor, Director of Arts Education, Maine Arts Commission
Performance: Camden Hills Regional High School Vocal and Jazz Ensembles under the direction of Kim Murphy and Nancy Rowe
Celebrating Excellence
9:40 – 10:00 Statewide Arts Education Census
10:00–10:30Keynote SurpriseSurprise
10:30 – 10:45 Break Coffee and Tea
10:45 – 11:45 5 x 5 Nine Topics @ 5 Minutes
11:45 – 12:45 Lunch Pavillion
12:45 – 2:00 Breakout 1 athenaU Education Center
Studio Habits of Mind – Androscoggin
Making Maine and ME – Lincoln
Evaluating Individual Proficiency – Waldo Dancing with the Creative Process – Washington In the Midst of Madness – Hancock
Arts Integration at Work – Knox
Brains on Fire – Sagadahoc
From Cool to Tool – Aroostook Proficiency Based Learning – Penobscot
2:00 – 2:15 Break
2:15 – 3:30 Breakout 2 athenaU Education Center
Studio Habits of Mind – Androscoggin
Making Maine and ME – Lincoln
Evaluating Individual Proficiency – Waldo Dancing with the Creative Process – Washington In the Midst of Madness – Hancock
Arts Integration at Work – Knox
Brains on Fire – Sagadahoc
From Cool to Tool – Aroostook Proficiency Based Learning – Penobscot
3:30 – 4:30 Wrap-up – Arts Education: The Measure of Success Aroostook Room Musical Theater Performance: Selections from The Addams Family by Camden Hills Regional High School Performers, under the direction of Kim Murphy, Rick Ash and joani mitchell
Door Prizes
Closing
Point Lookout Conference Center
67 Atlantic Highway, Northport, ME 04849
Please note: On August 3, 2015, MAAI, the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative, announced its new name, MALI, the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative. MALI is a program of the Maine Arts Commission. You can read about it at https://meartsed.wordpress.com/2015/08/09/maai-goes-to-mali/. Please email Argy Nestor if you have any questions at argy.nestor@maine.gov.
The biennial Statewide Arts Education conference, The Measure of Success, is being held at the Point Lookout Conference Center in Northport on Friday, October 9. The early-bird registration of $90 runs until Thursday, September 17. After that the cost goes to $100 and at the door is $110.
This years conference is unique for many reasons. The Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI, formerly MAAI) has gone all out this year to provide you with outstanding workshops in two formats along with a day filled with celebrating arts educators and recognizing the excellent work that takes place every school day and beyond! You can read about the workshop format in a post from last week at https://meartsed.wordpress.com/2015/09/10/a-word-about-the-conference-presentations/.
In addition, each of the workshop leaders have provided a short video that provides an overview of the workshop content. THE VIDEOS ARE ALL BELOW! If you take a look at the videos and read the workshop descriptions at http://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Education/Biennial-Statewide-Workshop-Descriptions# you will get a clear picture of what the conference and these amazing educators have to offer!
Studio Habits of Mind: Using the “Hidden Curriculum” to Encourage Student Autonomy with Visual Arts Teachers Theresa Cerceo from Dr. Levesque Elementary, Wisdom Middle/High School and Janie Snider from Hancock Grammar School
Making Maine and ME with Visual Arts Teacher Jennie Driscoll from Brunswick High School
Evaluating Individual Proficiency within the Large Ensemble with Music Teacher Jen Etter from York Middle School
Dancing with the Creative Process: How to incorporate standards-based dance and movement activities in classroom learning and assessment with Dancer, Educator, and Teaching Artist John Morris
In the Midst of Madness with Music Teacher Jen Nash from Sabasticook Valley Middle School, Dance Teacher MaryEllen Schaper from Bonny Eagle Middle School, and Associate Professor, Educational Leadership from USM Jeff Beaudry, Ph.D.
Empathy, Kindness and Wonder, Arts Integration at Work with the Director and Founder of Sweet Tree Arts Lindsay Pinchbeck
Brains on Fire: How Research on the Brain Can Inform Arts Education with the Executive Director of the New England Institute for Teacher Education Catherine Ring
From Cool to Tool: Technology Integration with Student Learning in Mind with Music Teacher Kate Smith from Central School in South Berwick, Mountain Valley High School in Rumford Teacher Jeff Bailey, and Mt. Blue High School in Farmington Teacher Dan Ryder
Proficiency Based Learning: An Advocacy Story Music Teacher Rob Westerberg from York High School
Please note: On August 3, 2015, MAAI, the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative, announced its new name, MALI, the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative. MALI is a program of the Maine Arts Commission. You can read about it at https://meartsed.wordpress.com/2015/08/09/maai-goes-to-mali/. Please email Argy Nestor if you have any questions at argy.nestor@maine.gov.
The photo below is from a zoom meeting where some of the workshop presenters for the October 9 statewide biennial arts education conference The Measure of Success were engaged in learning more about how to put together the best format for the morning sessions. We are calling the sessions 5 X 5.
What does that mean?
Nine workshops are being offered during the PM sessions. Each conference participant selects from two of them (they are repeated) to attend when they register. During the AM session each workshop presenter will have 5 minutes and 5-8 images to provide a glimpse of their afternoon session that is scheduled for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
What if you see/hear something in the AM that you must attend?
You can change your mind and attend a different session in the PM than you registered for before the conference.
If they look serious it is because they were working to bring you the BEST learning opportunities possible!
THE TOPICS
Studio Habits of Mind: Using the “Hidden Curriculum” to Encourage Student Autonomy with Visual Arts Teachers Theresa Cerceo from Dr. Levesque Elementary, Wisdom Middle/High School and Janie Snider from Hancock Grammar School
Making Maine and ME with Visual Arts Teacher Jennie Driscoll from Brunswick High School
Evaluating Individual Proficiency within the Large Ensemble with Music Teacher Jen Etter from York Middle School
Dancing with the Creative Process: How to incorporate standards-based dance and movement activities in classroom learning and assessment with Dancer, Educator, and Teaching Artist John Morris
In the Midst of Madness with Music Teacher Jen Nash from Sabasticook Valley Middle School, Dance Teacher MaryEllen Schaper from Bonny Eagle Middle School, and Associate Professor, Educational Leadership from USM Jeff Beaudry, Ph.D.
Empathy, Kindness and Wonder, Arts Integration at Work with the Director and Founder of Sweet Tree Arts Lindsay Pinchbeck
Brains on Fire: How Research on the Brain Can Inform Arts Education with the Executive Director of the New England Institute for Teacher Education Catherine Ring
From Cool to Tool: Technology Integration with Student Learning in Mind with Music Teacher Kate Smith from Central School in South Berwick, Mountain Valley High School in Rumford Teacher Jeff Bailey, and Mt. Blue High School in Farmington Teacher Dan Ryder
Proficiency Based Learning: An Advocacy Story Music Teacher Rob Westerberg from York High School
What else are these workshop presenters providing?
An amazing collection of resources that will go live on the day of the conference, October 9. You will be blown away by what they’ve put together for conference attendees. You won’t want to miss it just for the resources alone!
Deadline for the Early-bird registration of $90 is today, September 9!
So impressive were the presentations all day on Thursday during the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI) Critical Friend Day. Forty-five educators convened at Luther Bonney Hall on the USM, Portland campus. Twenty-four educators made presentations, either a workshop or a logic model idea. When not presenting they joined the critical friends who were a collective of teachers, a principal, an assistant principal, curriculum leader, an assistant superintendent, and an Apple employee. In addition, we had three educators join electronically and two actually gave their presentations from Aroostook county during their prep periods (school is underway). Needless to say it was very cool that they could join us from a distance. The entire day was a TERRIFIC learning opportunity for all involved. The presenters received valuable suggestions so they can tweak and expand on their ideas and the critical friends walked away with new information and ideas to apply to their own work. It is a fabulous opportunity for all involved.
Dance and Visual Arts Teacher Leader, Lake Region High School Carmel Collins, and Music Teacher Leader, Sebasticook Valley Middle School
The presentations were in direct connection with the three-day MALI institute that was held earlier this month where over 50 visual and performing arts educators and teaching artists came together for a professional learning opportunity. You can read about the institute in several consecutive blog posts starting with August 10. They had a chance to gain more knowledge in teaching, learning, assessment, proficiency-based education, leadership, advocacy, technology, creativity, integration, and several other relevant topics related to the challenges faced in the visual or performing arts classroom. I had a chance to go from one workshop to the next and it was amazing to see the high quality of work that has been formulated.
Visual Art Teacher Leader Mandi MItchell, Hermon High School
You might be wondering what a critical friend is or does. Below is how we guided the work of those who graciously took on the role as “critical friend”.
One definition of “critical” is expressing or involving an analysis of the merits and faults of a work of literature, music, or art. A “friend” is a person who gives assistance. The MALI leadership team asks you to do both in a gentle helpful way. We want the teacher leaders to create the best work possible so please be honest in your feedback.
Rob Westerberg, Nancy Kinkade, Holly Leighton, (hidden) Shari Tarleton, and Virgil Bozeman provide feedback
Trevor Marcho Music Teacher Leader Mattanawcook Academy
The veteran teachers selected a problem and created a plan to solve the problem. The logic model is just that – a way to guide those using it to a clear picture of how to influence and create change. You can read a bit about logic model at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logic_model.
Allie Rimkunas, Great Falls Elementary Art Teacher Leader
During the afternoon session we participated in a “messaging” workshop that was facilitated by Kate Smith, music teacher leader from South Berwick. Participants selected a topic that they wanted to refine to be able to communicate clearly and concisely at a moments notice when the opportunity arises.
Art Teacher Leader, Lisa Ingraham, Madison and Critical Friend Hollie Hilton
Needless to say yesterday was a great day for Arts education in Maine. Nothing like being in an environment where everyone is talking, thinking, exchanging about visual and performing arts education – directly connected to all the issues and topics of education in general! If you’d like to read about the teacher leaders and leadership team please go to the Maine Arts Assessment site at http://www.maineartsassessment.com/. You can be part of the next quality learning opportunity at the Biennial Statewide conference being held on Friday, October 9, Point Lookout Conference Center, Northport, Maine. Information and registration for the great day we have planned is located at http://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Education/Biennial-Statewide. If you’d like to learn more about being involved in MALI and the opportunities that the initiative provides please be sure and email me at argy.nestor@maine.gov.
Music Teacher Leader Kate Smith, and Critical Friends, AOS 92 Curriculum Leader Mary Boyle and 2014 Maine Teacher of the Year Karen MacDonald
Tyler Technologies, Inc. has launched the Maine App Challenge with $10,000 in total scholarships to be awarded to the top three finalists. In cooperation with Project>Login and Educate Maine, Tyler’s Maine App Challenge is the first application development challenge solely for high school students in the state.
The goal of the Maine App Challenge is to provide Maine high school students with an opportunity to design, develop and demonstrate a mobile application that addresses a real need within the student’s school or local community.
“We are awarding scholarships because the Maine App Challenge could turn a student’s casual interest in software development into a college major, internship, and eventual career in the Maine computer science and technology industry,” said Chris Hepburn, senior vice president of Tyler’s ERP & School Division.
“We hope this challenge inspires more Maine high school students to pursue the fields of computer science and software development.”
I attended an online professional development recently that was presented by the National Art Education Association. It really exemplifies the power of learning in the online environment. The webinar was titled Where the Wild Things Are and facilitated by two art educators who are well versed in multiple tools to assist in teaching. Chris Guenter who you can follow on Twitter @cguenter and Theresa McGeen who you can follow on Twitter @theresamcgee.
The most amazing part was the website that they put together to house all of the tools they shared plus a ton of other resources located at http://cguenter.weebly.com/free-online-art-tools.html. And, all of the tools are FREE. Don’t miss checking it out!
The Powerpoint presentation and recorded webinar will be posted to the National Art Education Association website at: http://www.arteducators.org/.
Last weekend the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative Teacher Leaders met in Rockland for a professional development opportunity and for phase 5 planning. This is a yearly event, that is not only productive – generating ideas to meet the needs of arts teachers, but it is also a great opportunity to meet with cherished colleagues.
On Friday night Sarah Swain provided a workshop that was called Advocacy Video Creation. The goal was to learn basic technical and design aspects of video-making. The essential questions were: How can video be used as an effective communication tool? and How can I create videos with the visual interest that engage and inform the viewer? Participants created videos on a variety of topics. Thank you Sarah for sharing your wisdom and expertise!
On Saturday the Teacher Leaders met all day at the Gamble Center at the Farnsworth Art Museum. We reflected on Phase 4, celebrated the many accomplishments of individuals, and were provided updates on the work underway. Among the parts to celebrate are how several Teacher Leaders are taking on leadership roles in their schools and/or districts across the state.
Participants were asked to self-reflect on their individual teacher needs on the following topics: Proficiency-Based Education, Teacher Effectiveness, Students-centered learning, Creativity, Technology, Assessment, Advocacy, Arts Integration. They each brought an artifact that is symbolic of their MAAI journey. (Where you were, where you are, and where you may be headed?)
This lead to the next part of the day sharing artifacts and noticing similarities among the Teacher Leaders. This helped in determining the goals for all regions of Maine. The goals were condensed for a carousel exercise that generated SOOOOOO MANY WONDERFUL ideas on how to address your needs.
The day ended with a quick feedback that generated a Wordle. This wordle was based on the following question: Write 1-2 words that describe your feelings about MAAI based on your experiences.
And this Wordle was based on the following question: Write 1-2 words that describe your feelings about MAAI as you plan for future activities and professional development.
We are all looking forward to Phase 5 and we intend to celebrate and I can guarantee you that the many ideas have your best interest in mind to assist you in dealing with the teaching challenges of today.
In the near future I will post the “call for teacher leaders” for Phase 5 of the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative. I hope that you will consider taking on this role. Watch the blog for information.
Thank you to Mount Desert Island High School Art educator Charlie Johnson for creating this video showing the highlights of the MAAI Winter Retreat.
Many of you are familiar with the work of Jessica Balsley with Art of Education (AOE) and the outstanding work they do providing a variety of information on their blog.
Among one of the annual offerings the AOE provides is a contest to determine who has the best Art education blogs. On January 25 the results were posted. You can read all of the details and check out the blogs selected by clicking here.
Four categories for the best blogs
1. Best Elementary Art Ed Blog
2. Best Secondary Art Ed Blog
3. Best Rising Star Art Ed Blog
4. Best Wild Card Blog
It is great to follow some of these blogsters to see what they are doing with curriculum, assessment, teaching and learning in their classrooms in other parts of the country.
Argy Nestor
Arts Educator, Blogger, Artist, Connector meartsed@gmail.com
https://sites.google.com/view/anestor/
Argy’s Blog
The purpose of this blog is to share stories about people and places; and to celebrate the amazing work (and play) that students, educators, and organizations are doing in and for arts education. In addition, the blog has a plethora of resources and innovative ideas. This forum gives blog readers the opportunity to learn from each other. It is essential that we listen, learn, and collaborate in order to build on teaching practices for the benefit of every learner in Maine and beyond.
me arts ed 