Teachers are forever spreading their light, day in and day out. It’s a natural part of the profession. Sometimes it’s intentional, other times the light comes through as part of a lesson, a kind word, a behavior towards individuals and classes, and multiple other ways.
My holiday greeting to each of you is filled with warmth, the light from my Christmas candles, and a hopeful message that you will have a season filled with merriment and ease.
Some of my favorite images from this season are below.
Vogue, December 1, 1914, George Wolfe Plank
Below you can see what artist David Hockney created using an iPad. He created two digitally animated Christmas trees projected onto the 328 foot tall chimneys of London’s Battersea Power Station. He titled it Bigger Christmas Trees.
The U.S. Department of Education (the Department) is pleased to announce that it will begin accepting applications for the 2024-2025 School Ambassador Fellowship on December 1, 2023. Launched in 2007, the School Ambassador Fellowship is a unique professional engagement experience designed to improve the outcomes for students nationwide by leveraging the voices of outstanding school-based practitioners to inform the Department on a range national education policy issues.
Founded on the principles of partnership, collaboration and cooperation with school-based educators, the Fellowship seeks to:
Establish an active community of teachers, principals, counselors, psychologists, social workers and other school-based staff members who share expertise and collaborate with Department of Education leaders on national education issues.
Engage school-based educators in development of policies that impact learning environments nationwide.
Showcase the power of practitioners’ voices and expand the critical leadership role of educators at the national, state, and local levels.
Ideal candidates for the School Ambassador Fellowship can demonstrate that they have made significant contributions to student learning and culture throughout their professional careers. They promote excellence in education through their collaboration and leadership. Further, School Ambassador Fellows demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate with a variety of education stakeholders both internal and external to the Department.
How do local school districts benefit from having a School Ambassador Fellow represented at the Department of Education?
Through their interaction with leaders at the U.S. Department of Education, Fellows provide a direct line of contact and engagement between the Department and their local school districts and are positioned to elevate pressing educational challenges faced by the students they serve.
Fellows build, foster and facilitate relationships between their school districts and the Department’s nationwide network of educational organizations.
In collaboration with Department staff and resources, Fellows take on important projects intended to solve complex challenges that will directly impact the students, families and educators within their local communities.
The deadline to apply for the 2024 – 2025 School Ambassador Fellowship is Monday, February 5, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. EST. On December 12, 2023 from 4:00pm to 5:00pm EST, the School Ambassador Fellowship Program Office will conduct a virtual informational and question and answer webinar about the program. Prospective applicants and others seeking to learn more about the School Ambassador Fellowship and the 2024-2025 cohort application and selection process should follow the link below to register for the webinar: https://shorturl.at/doFJX.For additional information about the Fellowship, please visit the School Ambassador Fellowship program webpage as well as the 2024-2025 School Ambassador Fellowship Program Flyer and School Ambassador Fellowship Program Brochure for more information about the types of Fellowship opportunities, eligibility requirements, and to access the online application. We look forward to engaging great educators from your district and/or network at the Department as we partner together to improve educational outcomes for all of our nation’s children.
Prospective applicants can contact SAF@ED.gov with any questions about the School Ambassador Fellowship program or about the application process.
Each year the Maine Art Education Association (MAEA) recognizes and celebrates outstanding educators during their annual spring conference. This year is no exception. Now, perhaps more than ever, taking the time to consider who does what to promote quality art education, is critical. We know that art teachers dedicate their lives to teaching. A career as an art teacher is forever woven into the fabric of dedicated teachers. YOU have the opportunity to nominate a colleague for their contributions. The deadline for nominations is January 5, 2024. CLICK HERE to nominate or email aeforme.awards@gmail.com for more detailed information.
The categories include the following:
Elementary Art Educator of the Year
Middle School Art Educator of the Year
High School Art Educator of the Year
Higher Ed Art Educator of the Year
New to the Profession Art Educator of the Year
Retired Art Educator of the Year
Museum Art Educator of the Year
Community Art Educator of the Year
Supervision/Administration Art Educator of the Year
Preservice Art Educator of the Year (nominations due April 5)
I’m fortunate to be collecting stories from the citizens of my town. Mrs. Mildred O’Jala was the oldest at 102 until she passed away over Thanksgiving. Grateful that we taped her life story in October. She was alert, articulate and happily showed us the basket of mittens and hats that she made for the elementary students and the church Winterberry Fair. The fair was held last Saturday and you betcha, I was there to purchase one last hat created by MIldred’s careful hands. The stitches absolutely perfect! Mrs. O’Jala may be gone from earth but her stories will live on. I’m certain that her hats and mittens will keep many heads and hands warm for years.
I’ve been thinking about the importance of stories as we plan the Sestercentennial (250 years) celebration for my hometown of Union. I know that many businesses are using stories to promote their product in an indirect way. This one is truly memorable and I just had to share. How do you use stories in your classrooms?
I’m sure that some of you, blog readers, remember Jeff Poulin. For those of you who don’t remember Jeff or have never met him, Jeff grew up in Maine and graduated from Scarborough High School in 2008. He was deeply involved in the arts and advocating for arts education. After high school Jeff studied arts management, cultural policy, and education. I met Jeff while I served (for 7 years) at the Maine Department of Education as the Visual and Performing Arts Specialist. During that time and the following 6 years at the Maine Arts Commission, our paths crossed numerous times. The bulk of our work was during the time I served on the Americans for the Arts Arts Education Network. Jeff was serving as the Arts Education Program Director at Americans for the Arts so he shepherded the networks projects and education initiatives.
In 2019 Jeff changed directions and founded Creative Generation. About the organization:
Creative Generation believesyouth create change. “We are a values-forward, global collective that collaborates with young creatives and those who cultivate their creativity to take local actions towards global changes in pursuit of a more just world.”
CREATIVE GENERATION MISSION
Creative Generation collaborates with young creatives and those who cultivate their creativity to take local actions towards global changes in pursuit of a more just world.
GOALS
Empowering young creatives and their communities, by providing a hub for stories, resources, and opportunities.
Producing new and honoring existing forms of knowledge and ways of knowing, while dismantling systemic barriers to sharing and learning.
Expanding definitions of and pathways to leadership, through unique learning communities.
Activating people and projects, by redistributing resources of money, time, and expertise.
Learn more about Creative Generation at THIS LINK.
Jeff moved back to Maine recently and we’ve had a chance to enjoy each others company right here in our great state as opposed to in another part of the country. It was a delight to catch up on a walk in South Portland along the water.
Part of Jeff’s work with Creative Generation is producing a podcast called Why Change? He invited me to have a conversation that he titled None of Us is as Smart as All Of Us. As many of you know this is a phrase that I often say. It started while I was teaching middle school full-time and collaborating closely with colleagues, it became somewhat of a mantra for us. After the recording I realized that the podcast is a synopsis of my educational pathway.
Three takeaways of Jeff’s from the podcast conversation:
How the arts are naturally integrated into our teaching, learning, and ways of life;
Ways to center relationships in cultivating the next generation of leaders and changemakers; and
Why committing to creative and education practices can make the difference in our work.
If you’re interested, listen to the podcast at THIS LINK.
I usually stay home for Thanksgiving but not this year. Thanksgiving included visits with family and dear friends, some that I haven’t seen in many years. At the heart of each visit was catching up, reminiscing and storytelling. Our memories collide with bits and pieces of what each of us remember. Rooms filled with laughter, excitement and many kind words. My heart was full over and over and I experienced gratitude. Gratitude that I could make the trip, that I have my health to do so, and for all the kindnesses offered. As my friends and family members age and pass away I am reminded of the importance of connecting, living in the moment, giving to others, and living each day to the fullest. Everywhere I went yummy food was shared while listening, sharing, laughing, and taking pictures. So much laughter and smiling until my face hurt. I am grateful!
As I head back to Maine I am thinking about what Maine education and educators are experiencing over this holiday weekend. I had a long conversation with a friend who has been a teaching artist for over 30 years. Arts education funding has changed across the country in the last 25-35 years. We are feeling the impact of that now all these years later. We have a whole new generation of educators. I am amazed at how arts educators in Maine and across the country are so resilient. In spite of the lack of policy and funding in the arts education, excellent education in the arts continues to take place. Today I give THANKS for your contributions, whether you are a visual or performing arts teacher, a teaching artist, an administrator, a parent who understands the value of arts education or a supporter of quality arts education for all learners, THANK YOU! I am more grateful than you can imagine.
Thanks to Green Meadow Farm for the photo of their young turkeys.
Waterfall Arts, November 15, Open Clay Studio. Start a new project or finish something you have started. Don’t let your lack of studio equipment be an obstacle! Waterfall Arts has a well-furnished and staffed clay studio for artists of all skill levels (*must have some experience and an orientation before attending Open Studios) to drop in and work independently on their own projects. Drop-in rates are $20 for a 3-hour session. Maximum 5 artists during Open Studios. Studio Monitor, Jeremy Hollinger has a Fine Arts degree, specializing in Ceramic and Sculpture works.
Two-hour workshop, Fun with Fused Glass, Waterfall Arts, November 30, 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Students will learn how to fuse a glass wave using a 4″x4″ flat glass sheet and bits of crushed transparent glass in shades of blue and green. Your unique design will be fired to a tack fuse to create a textured, 3D work of art to be displayed on a mini easel or used in a decorative way in your home. Instructor Sharon Warren, glass artist has a BS in Marine Engineering from the US Merchant Marine Academy. LEARN MORE!
WATERVILLE
Waterville Creates is hosting an extra-special Maine Art Education Association (MAEA) meet-up on Saturday November 18th, 9:00-12:00. Bring whatever art supplies you want to play with (there will also be fun extras and goodies to try, including a communal “crankie”)! In order to participate you need to be an MAEA member. Join at THIS LINK.
Last years Waterville Creates and MAEA workshop
The following two opportunities are open to anyone.
Ticonic Gallery + Studios is offering a Ceramic Jewelry Workshop with visiting artist Martha Grover from 10:00-2:00. A delightful beginner level jewelry making workshop. Martha will lead participants step-by-step to create unique ceramic jewelry that will be fired with hand-made ceramic elements. In this one-day workshop, students will make a variety of earrings, pendants, brooches, and beads. Beginners will be given individual attention while those with more experience can work at their desired pace. LEARN MORE. Register HERE.
Greene Block + Studios will be hosting the Elm City Small Press Fest from 11:00am – 4:00pm. The Small Press Fest is a free community event that focuses on independent publishing in the Maine region. The goal of the Fest is to promote contemporary creative publishing while stimulating and promoting creative economies in the area. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to browse independent publications and art prints and participate in free workshops throughout the day.
Veterans Day, a day to pause and consider what today means. Americans are deeply divided and everyday it seems like there are more challenges in bringing people together. In my mind it’s simple: invite people with differences to the table, provide the opportunity to express their beliefs and determine how to compromise so the world can move to a more peaceful place. And, collectively tackle essential problems like food shortages, the homeless (unhoused, unsheltered), alternative sources of energy, and other important topics. The outcomes of the conversation: action. We need to take care of people and the environment and our world! I realize that I’ve simplified it and that it is not so easy.
Maybe it’s the teacher and/or the artist in me. While disagreeing, being angry, exchanging strong language, middle school students arguments most often are settled within minutes. Listen to each side of the story while students are listening to each other. Listening so a student feels heard while working the problem through as they stand in the corner of the room, the hallway, a moment between classes, and sometimes the administrators office. Focus on how the altercation can be solved, encourage creative solutions. In severe cases a repercussion is issued, parents are called informing them of the situation. Yes, yes, I know that its not always that easy. When you think about the scene, it’s kind of amazing what teachers do in these scenarios. Perhaps governments should watch, listen, and learn from the examples of teachers.
As I pause today, my point is that a situation with students is the closest to fighting in a war or defending a country I’ve ever come. I heard some stories from my father who fought in WWII that have helped inform me. I’m more ready to learn now and sadly my dad is no longer on earth for him to be my teacher. I’m reading books to help me fill in my lack of experiences (and the times that I was sleeping in my high school history class). The first hand accounts of individuals and groups are definitely enlightening but at the end of the day I don’t have the experience of hiding from the enemy in a fox hole, coming face to face with the other person both with guns in hand or moving out of an area because the enemy has reconfigured their position. I agree with the old Native American phrase: “You can’t really understand another person’s experience until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.”
My father, George P. Nestor, was part of the Big Red One, First Division, Army. He fought in Africa, Sicily, landed on Omaha Beach (1st wave), up through France, Battle of the Bulge and was wounded in Germany. He returned home and rarely talked about his service. He was a proud of being an American coming from Greece when he was a small child.
What’s it really about? In my opinion it’s about empathy and trust. Veterans Day is an opportunity to teach, learn, and practice empathy. Where do we learn to be empathetic?! As we go about our business today I will be thinking about my freedoms, about people who don’t have the privileges I do, and considering how to practice empathy and build trust. I am remembering that I live in a free country because of people like my father who were willing to volunteer, stand up and fight for our freedoms. If you don’t agree that we live in a free country I suggest that you visit a country that isn’t free and perhaps you’ll have a different view. I am well aware that the freedoms I have are not experienced by all who live in the US. My recent readings have helped clarify that for me. Go Back to Where You Came From by Wahajat Ali. I encourage you to read the book.
I hope that you have time to pause today and reflect through writing, making art, going for a walk, and/or communicating with a neighbor, friend or family member. Simply saying hello and smiling at someone you didn’t know when you woke up today could make a difference in the world. Even if it’s only for a moment, it could be the one moment that will help you and/or others.
I finish this blog post with something that came across my desk this week. A segment of John F. Kennedy’s inaugural speech from January 20, 1961.
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.
It is not a surprise that the arts are playing a part in helping to heal and supporting Mainers during this time to make sense of the tragedy in Lewiston. As we learn more details we are also learning the ways that the arts are a vehicle for helping us to ease the pain and process the event. Below I’ve included some that have come to me through multiple avenues. I invite you to share some of what you are involved with or are aware of by “leaving a comment” at the bottom of this blog post or by emailing me at meartsed@gmail.com. I have been making cards and sending them to those who I know personally that have been impacted by the event. If you know of someone who could benefit from a handmade card please email me. My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of the victims and to all the educators who are there for students. Please remember that whatever you’re doing is enough and the right thing.
Turner Art Teacher
Miia Zellner, an art teacher from Turner, Maine, attaches a heart cut-out with a message of positivity to a tree in downtown Lewiston, Maine, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. Zellner wanted to show her love and support for the community in the wake of Wednesday’s mass shootings. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
Medomak Valley High School in Waldoboro
James Taylor
Known as the Battle of the Bridge, last weeks football game featured cross-river rivals Lewiston High School and Edward Little High School of Auburn. James Taylor was there to sing an acoustic version of the National Anthem before the kick-off of the game.
L/A Arts – the Arts agency for the cities of Lewiston and Auburn
An open call for artworks to individuals and organizations at the local, state and national level to express your thoughts in the form of a postcard. We call upon all mothers, fathers, and children; teachers and their students at all levels; artists, whether novice or seasoned; wordsmiths; dreamers, thinkers, feelers and doers of all ages and backgrounds. Share your hopes and your fears, your remembrances and your well-wishes.
These postcards can be addressed directly to the victims and/or their families, the immediate community of Lewiston impacted by the tragedy, or more broadly address growing concerns over the horrific frequency of gun violence across the nation.
The leaves had just started to turn their brilliant colors as I followed the windy road west to Rangeley from my home in the mid-coast. It was a warmish and beautiful day. I haven’t traveled to western Maine in a few years and surprisingly during my 13 years working for the state (Maine Department of Education, 7 years and Maine Arts Commission, 6 years), I didn’t visit the Rangeley Lakes School. (I say surprisingly because during those 13 years I visited about 450 schools.)
Sonja Johnson and Maryam Emami
I’ve know Rangeley art teacher Sonja Johnson and English teacher Timothy Straub for many years. More recently, I met Maryam Emami, graphic arts and history teacher and the 2023 Franklin County Teacher of the Year. I was excited to visit the Rangeley Lakes School and to learn more about Maryam and Sonja’s collaborative project. I shared my recently published book, Catching Fireflies, that I’ve co-authored with poet Jean Feldeisen. I learned about the community project that Sonja and Maryam have had underway for almost 10 years called Words of Wisdom. Students have made beautiful black and white photographs and collected stories from almost 100 community members. We discussed ideas on how they can move forward to complete this comprehensive historical and artistic project this school year. The lessons learned in creating Catching Fireflies have been many and I was happy to share them.
Along with the collaborative project I had a chance to learn about some of the recent engaging curriculum work Maryam had underway with students. You’ll find descriptions below of two units plus Words of Wisdom. It was fun for me to talk with students as they worked in the classroom space and the hall gallery they were creating with the completed work.
Graphics Arts
Retail Design: Part 1. The Logo-Create a fictitious company. Begin by naming it. Once the name has been selected everything else falls into place. Think of who your audience is and the company’s personality. The logo design will be most effective when the spirit of the store is clearly thought through. Keep in mind that you will be using the logo for a broad range of applications. The typographic symbol is usually, but not always, the expression of a unified design for advertising and manufacture. It must be original and simple in form, have a very high degree of memorability, and be easily recognized and noticeable. A symbol either brings letters together to make a new form, or illustrates the product or does both. A symbol is something completely different and of higher importance than a monogram (a sign of identity usually formed by the combined initials of a name). A faulty symbol is far worse than none at all, and a bad symbol can be disastrous to a product.
Humanities II
Historical Exhibit: Students curate artifacts which can include music, visual art, videos, digital media, information about important individuals from the time/culture, and cultural/historical items in their exhibit. Artifacts should be cataloged and given museum tags. And, students should be able to act as a docent to visitors to the classroom exhibit. When designing your exhibit, consider incorporating a mix of artifacts, documents, interactive displays, and multimedia presentations to engage visitors and provide a comprehensive view of your Empire’s history and cultural heritage. The Empires are the Inca, Songhai, Ayuttyha, and the Ottomans.
Words of Wisdom
Sonja and Maryam plan to publish a book with the information below that students have collected from almost 10 years of community members. The information supports the beautiful black and white photos students took and developed. These are older community members, at this point some of them have passed away. One student is the child of a student from 10 years ago when the project first got underway.
what is your full name including nickname
how old or young are you
where do you live in rangeley
what is your connection to rangeley how did you get here how long have you lived here
what was/is your occupation
what do you enjoy doing now
describe your family background
what are some of your interests/hobbies
Last piece: please share with us any additional details about your life or anything else you would like to share with future generations.
There is nothing more wonderful than learning about teachers collaborating in an impactful way. The information is of course, authentic and somewhat raw. I spent a few minutes reading through the answers, looking into the eyes of the portraits. I couldn’t help but wish this project could be carried out in every school in the state. This is a gift to the students who participated in so many ways. They’ve had a chance to learn about the individuals (in some cases relatives), to learn the history through the lives of community members, and to reflect on who they are as young people because of the people who live in their own community. Very, very powerful work! I look forward to holding the book in my hands in the future.
I’ll let you know when the project is complete. Good luck to Maryam and Sonja and to the students as they move to complete this gift to the community!
If you’d like to purchase my book Catching Fireflies it is available at THIS LINK.
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.
