Posts Tagged ‘Catherine Ring’

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MAAI Teacher Leaders – Hats off!

July 15, 2015

Don’t be shy, consider the opportunity

photoAs many of you know the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) has just started phase 5. When the idea was launched after an energizing trip to NH in August of 2010, Rob Westerberg, Catherine Ring and I never dreamed of what would be in store 5 years down the road.

Recently, I had the opportunity to take a different look at MAAI and realize just how much more MAAI has been then “just an assessment initiative”. Five years ago “assessment in arts education” was almost a dirty phrase in Maine. (I am not naive, I know that there are still people out there who don’t understand why we would suggest assessment for and in the arts.)

However, the initiative has become so much more and different than that. Yes, it is about assessment and in addition, it is about leadership, technology, creativity, curriculum, teaching, and learning. It is about educator effectiveness, proficiency-based education, student-centered learning, integration.  And, it is about community, networking, questioning, pushing back, learning from each other, taking chances, finding ones voice and a place at the table, communicating, being brave, respect, individual differences, honesty, and honoring what teachers know.

I am proud to know those who have stepped up to represent Maine arts educators as Teacher Leaders. I am so impressed with the work each one of you have done. The total number is 75 Teacher Leaders, I  am amazed that you continue to expand on your thinking. You are truly life-long learners. The more that you learn, the more you seem to want to share. We all benefit from the great work that you are doing! My hat is off to you, MAAI Teacher Leaders!

If you’ve been thinking about applying to be a Teacher Leader I hope that you will continue to consider it – you have about 11 months to decide because you will most likely have a chance in 2016 to apply to be a Teacher Leader for phase 6 of the initiative.

(Yes, Teacher Leaders, the hats are in and the t-shirts are on the way!)

Posted in Community, Food for thought | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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MAAI Resource Team

May 17, 2015

Working on documents

The Maine Arts Assessment Initiative Resource Team is furiously creating more rich resources to add to the Resource Bank that was established in June of 2014. The MAAI Resource Bank is located at http://maairesourcebank.pbworks.com.

The 2015 MAAI Resource Bank Team

The 2015 MAAI Resource Bank Team

The site has full units developed by the 2014 MAAI Resource Team and includes lessons and assessments for dance, music, theater, and visual arts. In addition, the team from last year created templates that are also included in the website for you to download and adapt for your own lessons, units, and/or assessments.

The 2015 Resource Team will be completing their work at the end of June and their resources will be added to the resources at  http://maairesourcebank.pbworks.com. The work is pretty exciting! This years resources will be a bit different and I really enjoying watching their ideas develop. Along with documents with templates, examples, and detailed information the resources will also include videos. I think you will find that they will be a great addition to the bank. The team meets periodically (electronically) to update the team of their progress and and for feedback using the MAAI Critical Friends model.

Catherine Ring, Executive Director, New England Institute for Teacher Education is the MAAI Resource Team Project Manager. The 2015 MAAI Resource Team is made up of the following:

  • Theresa Cerceo, Visual Arts Educator, grades K-12, Wisdom Middle/HS, Levesque Elementary School. MSAD #33, Frenchville
  • Patti Gordan, Music Educator, grades K-4, Raymond Elementary School, RSU #14, Raymond
  • Danette Kerrigan, Visual Arts Educator, grades 6-8, Sacopee Valley Middle School, MSAD #55, Hiram
  • John Morris, Teaching Artist, grades K-12, Independent, Bridgton
  • Jake Sturtevant, Music Educator, grades 9-12, Bonny Eagle High School, MSAD #6, Buxton
  • Sarah Ritz Swain, District-wide Director of Art, grades K-12, Westbrook School Department, Westbrook

The 2014 Maine visual and performing arts teachers who made up the first team are listed below. You can find those resources at http://maairesourcebank.pbworks.com.

  • Jennie Driscoll, Visual Arts Educator, grades 9-12, Brunswick High School
  • Beth Lambert, Performing Arts Educator, grades 9-12, Carrabec High School, MSAD #74, North Anson
  • Brian McPherson, Visual Arts Educator, grades K-5, Woodside Elementary School, MSAD #75, Topsham
  • Jenni Null, Music Educator, grades K-12, MSAD #61, Lake Region Schools, Bridgton
  • Jeff Orth, Visual Arts Educator, grades 7-12, Richmond Middle/High Schools, Richmond
  • Jake Sturtevant, Music Educator, grades 9-12, Bonny Eagle High School, MSAD #6, Standish

In addition, you can find many, many more resources on the Maine Arts Assessment website at http://www.maineartsassessment.com/.

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Megas UMaine USM

April 6, 2015

MAAI Mega-regional workshops – last of the school year

Last Thursday and Friday the last two Maine Arts Assessment Initiative’s (MAAI) Mega-regional workshops were held at UMaine, Orono and USM, Portland campus. Both were a success and the 127 teachers who participated had positive feedback. It was an opportunity designed just for visual and performing arts educators including teaching artists.

I am so proud of the Teacher Leaders and the workshops they created. MAAI believes that “teachers teaching teachers” is very powerful!

Thank you to the following Teacher Leaders listed below who provided the following workshops:

UMaine, Orono – Thursday, April 2

  • Finding the Hidden Treasure in Art with Student Self Assessment, Jennie Driscoll Brunswick High School Visual Arts
  • Efficient and Effective Assessment in the Elementary Music Classroom, Frances Kellogg Ellsworth Elementary Middle School Music
  • Multiple Pathways: Helping Students Achieve Proficiency in ELA and Social Studies through Performing Arts Class!, Beth Lambert Carrabec High School Performing Arts
  • The Foolish Man Builds his House Upon the Sand: Laying a Firm Foundation for the Arts (and life) in Early Childhood, Judy Fricke Main Street Music Studios Music
  • My Choice-Based Art Class, Nurturing Proficiency through Voice, Choice and Reflective Teaching, Theresa Cerceo Dr. Levesque Elementary, Wisdom Middle/High School Visual Arts
  • Proficiency-Based Education in Visual Art, Gloria Hewett Mount View Middle School Visual Arts
  • Gold, Silver or Bronze? A Rubric fit for the Olympics!, Pam Kinsey Easton Schools Music
  • Rappin’ Differentiated Instruction and Implementing Standards Based Grading, Lisa Neal Nokomis Regional High School Performing Arts

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IMG_1276USM, Portland – Friday, April 3

  • The Studio Habits of Mind: Using the “Hidden Curriculum” to Encourage Student Autonomy, Lisa Ingraham Madison Elementary School Visual Arts
  • The Recipe: Ingredients in a Proficiency-Based Curriculum, Michaela DiGianvittorio and Sarah Gould Gray-New Gloucester High School Visual Arts
  • Unpacking the Standards with your BFF (Best Foot Forward), Cynthia Keating, Village Elementary School Music and Kate Smith, Central Elementary School Music
  • The Foolish Man Builds his House Upon the Sand: Laying a Firm Foundation for the Arts (and life) in Early Childhood, Judy Fricke Main Street Music Studios Music
  • Writing What We Do: A Guide to Standards-Based Curriculum Mapping & Unit Design, Brian McPherson, Woodside Elementary School Visual Arts and Jake Sturtevant, Bonny Eagle High School Music
  • Using Digital Process Folios as a Journaling Approach to Self Assessment, Melanie Crowe Marshwood Middle School Visual Arts
  • Hatching A Songbird: Teaching and Assessing Singing Skills at the Primary Level, Patti Gordan Raymond Elementary School Music
  • Moving Towards Your Goals: Using Technology for Self-Assessment in a Performing Arts Classroom, Emma Campbell Thornton Academy Dance
  • Dancing With the Standards: How to Incorporate Standards-Based Dance and Movement Activities in Classroom Learning and Assessment, John Morris Dance
  • The How and Why of Digital Portfolios, Jeff Orth Richmond Middle/High School Visual Arts

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IMG_2217Thanks also to MAAI Teacher Leaders Janie Snider, Jenni Null, and Shari Tarleton.

Artist showcases took place at each Mega with Teaching Artists John Morris and Stevie McGary provided information on their role and some movement as well.

In the afternoon sessions Proficiency-Based Education and Teacher Effectiveness were the discussion topics. Teachers shared what is happening in their schools, had a chance to ask each other questions and learn from what others are doing. Thanks to the following Teacher Leaders who facilitated the discussion:

UMO – Gloria Hewett and Jen Nash

USM – Jake Sturtevant and Amy Cousins (and several others assisted)

Both Megas were successful due to the work of Leadership Team members:

UMO – Catherine Ring

USM – Rob Westerberg and Jeff Beaudry

A special THANK YOU to Laura Artesani who arranged for the space on the UMaine Orono campus. And to Jeff Beaudry who arranged for the space on the USM, Portland campus!

At the end of the day at USM I said to all the participants how proud I was of the work all visual and performing arts teachers do. I know that the jobs you do can be challenging. At the end of the day at UMaine Orono Catherine asked folks how they were feeling and these are some of the words expressed by the group: inspiring – exhausted but happy – encouraged – enthusiastic – can’t wait to try things back in my classroom – my head is full – overwhelmed but supported – not alone anymore – great resources.  Catherine’s word: proud.

If you didn’t attend any of the four Mega-regional workshops provided this school year by MAAI and are looking for resources I suggest that you go to http://www.maineartsassessment.com/.

Posted in assessment, Communication, Community, Creativity, Curriculum and Instruction, Food for thought, Leadership, Opportunity, Professional Development, Standards Based Education, VPA | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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Children’s Literature and the Arts!

April 5, 2015

A Graduate Course

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IMG_1262Need recertification credits?  Here’s a great class that integrates quality children’s literature by incorporating the arts! Geared for teachers of Pre-K to grade 6, this course is being offered through the New England Institute for Teacher Education starting Friday (4-8pm)/Saturday (8-4pm) April 10 and 11 in Portland. For more information, click here for the short video and information on the website.

Come find out how to use visual art, music, drama, choral reading, poetry, storytelling and movement in your literacy classes — you will learn a lot and leave with many  ideas, strategies and resources you can use right away to engage and inspire your students.  And you will learn about the many different genres in children’s literature, and how to ensure quality, multi-cultural books are available to ALL students in your classroom library.  Participants in this class when offered in the past include classroom teachers, art and music teachers, librarians, guidance counselors, and special educators.

There’s still room in the class!  New England Institute for Teacher Education will work with you if you need to process a purchase order with your school. So come by yourself or bring a colleague – New England Institute has had some great teams take this course and the teacher-friendly schedules make this do-able, relevant and fun!  To Register, visit the website.

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Visual Arts PD Opp

February 21, 2015

Professional development opportunity for visual art educators 

An invitation from Catherine Ring, Ex. Director, New England Institute for Teacher Education

I’d like to personally let you know of a special opportunity coming up right in Augusta, starting MARCH 14 — a 3 credit course on Visual Art Assessment, K-12.  The course will meet for two weekend sessions, March 14 and May 9.

You might wonder, how can I add this to my already full plate?  Is Assessment really necessary, or even possible, in an art room when I see so many students?  It really doesn’t matter where you are on the Assessment bandwagon — both experienced and teachers new to assessment in visual art classrooms have taken this course. There’s always more to learn, and this course gives you the time to talk and learn and try things out — imagine that!

You’ll be surprised at how much art teachers learn from each other – and that’s just what we do! We share resources that arts educators have created or discovered through the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative, ask hard questions, problem-solve, try some things out in our classrooms, and figure out what we CAN do in our very busy schedules to help improve teaching, learning and assessment.  The course meets for two weekends only – Friday night (4-8pm) and Saturday (8-4pm) with weekly contact with the instructor, in between.

Screen Shot 2015-02-16 at 4.33.54 PMWe’re especially delighted to announce that Lisa Ingraham will be teaching the course for the New England Institute this spring. Lisa has taught Visual Art for ten years and has been a Teacher Leader in the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative since 2013.  She has a BA in Graphic Design and Illustration from Western Connecticut State University and a MS in Education from Thomas College. Lisa has collaborated with other visual and performing arts teachers from around the state of Maine in reflecting on assessment and designing professional development presentations for regional workshops. Lisa is currently the Secretary and Advocacy Co-chair for the Maine Art Education Association, and is working toward her endorsement in Gifted and Talented Education.

So come join us and find out what’s happening in Maine with assessment in visual art, and with meeting proficiency in the art room. You will be excited to know that arts educators are leading the way and other educators are following suit.  Here are the details:

EDPO 536: Refining Assessment in the Visual Art Classroom, K-12

Augusta, Maine (Viles Arboretum)

Session 1:  Saturday (8-4pm), March 14

Session 2:  Saturday (8-4pm) May 9

This course meets for both sessions

You can choose to take this as a graduate course through our partnership with Endicott College, or for recertification credits for 4.5 CEUs. We can bill your school directly with a purchase order, or are happy to make payment arrangements.

To register, please visit the New England Institute website at www.newenglandinstitute.org. If you have any questions at all, pick up the phone and call me any time, or email me.

Thank you! We hope to hear from you!

Catherine Ring

Executive Director

New England Institute for Teacher Education

PO Box 460

Stonington, Maine 04681

207-367-5807

newenglandinstitute@gmail.com

 

Posted in assessment, Curriculum and Instruction, Opportunity, Professional Development, Standards Based Education, Visual Arts | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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New England Institute

December 22, 2014

Artists and Writers in the Classroom: Using Art Making to Inspire Great Writing
A Graduate Course

Did you know that when elementary students create visual art, it can inspire them to be great writers?  Join Catherine Ring in this unique opportunity, starting January 3,  to learn how to engage students in writing by creating visual art works first!

For more information, or to register, visit the New England Institute for Teacher Education’s website at www.newenglandinstitute.org.

ArtistWriters Flyer 2015

Posted in Creativity, Curriculum and Instruction, Food for thought, Integration, Visual Arts | Tagged , | 1 Comment »

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Successful Mega!

December 2, 2014

MAAI Mega MDIHS

The feedback is clear – the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative’s Mega – regional workshop at MDI High School last week was a success! Participants learned new information and the work that is done each day in classrooms across Maine was reinforced. Once again the highlight was the opportunity for Arts educators to come together for a professional development opportunity that was designed specifically for them.

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A HUGE THANK YOU to Charlie Johnson and his colleagues at MDI High School for hosting, to the MAAI Teacher Leaders who provided outstanding workshops: Janie Snider, Lisa Ingraham, Shannon Westphall, Frances Kellogg, Sue Barre, Charlie Johnson, to Teaching Artist Stevie McGary for the workshop and artists showcase, and to Catherine Ring, Rob Westerberg, and Nancy Salmon who provided technical assistance and leadership for the day!

I LOVE reading the feedback and how the day influenced participants thinking and teaching. Don’t take my word for it, below is what some of the participants said. I will post more in the near future along with a video that Charlie created to document the day.

  • I can’t believe how quickly this day flew by! As always, I wish that we had more time like this and opportunities to meet… I love these MAAI conferences, I always leave feeling more grounded and ready to take action
  • I like the Habits of Mind posters and the idea of the check list to keep throughout a project to assess each habit… These were really solid examples of what can be done.
  • I have already been implementing a few of these processes into my curriculum. Now, I just need to communicate this to my students in a clearer, more consistent manner.
  • Our district is focusing on Habits of Mind. I didn’t realize Studio Habits of Mind are different, but similar. Definitely a lot of useful information.
  • On the arts assessment website http://www.maineartsassessment.com there is a proficiency toolbox that I will be able to revamp my assessments at my school.

I LEARNED…

  • how to authentically apply the learning results to assessment
  • how to create a simple rubric for standards is an easy way to keep track of what 1, 2, 3, 4 etc actually means
  • simple, quick class assessments concrete examples of student growth — A+
  • about how to apply assessments to the art classroom and how to make the language usable for students of all ages
  • recording with the ipad for quick assessment
  • strategies for holding myself and my students accountable for what they are learning and creating in the art room
  • engage and persist can be a way to think about behavior in a positive way
  • about some fun and creative resources to help with assessing my students
  • how students demonstrate their learning through a hands-on project (pinhole cameras)
  • even a quick 60-second movement can benefit across the school day
  • how to clearly describe different standards and allow students to have an important part in the grading process
  • some quick and effective ways to assess students on the fly in the elementary music setting, and how to score and record them.
  • all about the site: http://www.maineartsassessment.com/, I LOVE IT. Need to spend loads of time there.

The above list includes just some of the feedback from November 25. If this is information that you’d like to learn more about please be sure and attend another Mega-regional workshop that is planned for this school year. The dates and locations are below and the link to the registration is http://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Education/MAAI-Mega-Regionals-2014-2015#

Posted in assessment, Communication, Community, Creativity, Curriculum and Instruction, Dance, Food for thought, Leadership, Media Arts, Music, Professional Development, Resources, Standards, Standards Based Education, Technology, Visual Arts, VPA, YAHOO | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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Art and Music Courses

August 24, 2014

Course Opportunities for Art and Music Educators

As arts educators, we know how important a quality arts education is for every student. That is why we are constantly seeking to improve teaching and learning  in our classrooms. And the arts have never been more relevant and essential than they are right now – in the 21st century.  But where do we find quality, professional development in arts education?

The New England Institute for Teacher Education is proud to announce that it will be offering three courses in Visual Art and Music Assessment practices this fall to any Art or Music educators, K-12.  The courses are all taught by leaders in art and music education who have played an integral role in the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative in the past three years.

Don’t miss this special opportunity to work with Rob Westerberg, who will be bringing the Music course to Hanover, New Hampshire (Vermont and New Hampshire music educators, take note!), Jake Sturtevant who is teaching Music Assessment in Standish, Maine, or Catherine Ring who is teaching Visual Art Assessment in Bangor, Maine.  All of these courses meet on teacher-friendly schedules (two weekend sessions with 10-12 weeks in between) and are tailored to meet each individual’s needs.

If you want to be in on the most current thinking, research and best practices used in arts classrooms, this is a great way to get started and connect to a network of other professionals and a wealth of shared resources. Over 85 arts educators have taken advantage of arts assessment courses through the New England Institute and many have taken on leadership roles in their schools and districts as a result of their work. Three graduate credits will be awarded upon successful completion through the New England Institute’s academic partnership with Endicott College.

So please join us. We’re excited to share what we have with you and to learn from you!

Questions?  Call the New England Institute at 207-367-5807 or email newenglandinstitute@gmail.com.

—Catherine, Rob and Jake

FLYER (1)

Posted in assessment, Communication, Community, Creativity, Curriculum and Instruction, Leadership, Music, Opportunity, Professional Development, Research, Resources, Standards, Visual Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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Roundtable Music Ed Webinar

May 28, 2014

Review of webinar

Screen Shot 2014-05-27 at 9.42.14 PMThe fourth in a series of webinars for the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative was held on Tuesday, May 20, entitled “Maine Music Educators Roundtable”. The webinar was facilitated by Rob Westerberg, choral director at York High School in direct response to concerns from music educators in the field around a broad selection of topics. The hour included participation by Maine’s Visual and Performing Arts Specialist at the Maine Department of Education, Mr. Kevin Facer.

Roundtable guests were: Drew Albert – vocal and instrumental, Maranacook Community High School, Andria Bacon – instrumental/strings & general, RSU #64; Corinth, Bill Buzza – instrumental & general, Edward Little High School, Jen Etter – vocal music, York Middle School, Jen Nash – instrumental/strings & general, Sebasticook Valley Middle School and Ashley Smith – vocal & general at Brunswick High School. After a brief introduction, the roundtable went to work fleshing out thoughts around topics which included:

  • Effect of common core on music programs
  • Proficiency & standards based assessment
  • Music teachers as leaders in your own schools
  • National Standards release and ramifications
  • Teacher evaluation implementation

Additional discussion prompts were also presented:

* “I feel our district is caught between common core, national standards, Maine Learning Results and our own ad lib set of standards created from the consortium of schools we belong to. It’s mind numbing that we have so many versions of what is ‘important’ in a curriculum versus what should be required of Maine students in order to receive a high school diploma.”

*How can we create an effective mentoring system for teachers who are in need of improving their pedagogical skills?

*As we deal with budget issues, our teachings loads are increasing as we are being asked to do more with individual assessments. We cannot administer these assessments without adequate time in our schedules.

Many viewpoints were presented on all of these topics, providing a practical platform for further discussion by music teachers within and between school districts. The archived recording of the session is located at http://stateofmaine.adobeconnect.com/p5rre115tqg/. Accordingly, a follow-up meeting plan has been developed to facilitate this discussion, applicable for school district professional days or regional meetings between music educators. The meeting plan is located at http://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Education/MAAI-Webinars.

On Wednesday, June 11, 3:30 to 4:30 the MAAI will be holding a webinar hosted by Catherine Ring, featuring the ongoing work of the Resource Bank team for Visual and Performing Arts. Teacher leaders on the Resource Bank team will be our guests. Please plan on joining us for an exciting conversation and a sneak peak of some of the rich resources created by the team on that second Wednesday of June. 

Posted in assessment, Communication, Community, Curriculum and Instruction, Music, Professional Development | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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Maine Arts Assessment Initiative Webinar

May 6, 2014

Providing you a special professional development opportunity just for teacher appreciation week

DON’T MISS THIS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY

Rob Westerberg and Catherine Ring will be hosting their third 2014 webinar in a series of four as part of the  Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI).  The webinar entitled “LD 1422: Proficiency And The Arts” will take place on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 from 3:30 – 4:30.  Primary discussions will be based around:

  • What is LD 1422 & what does it mean?
  • What is “proficiency”?
  • What does proficiency in the Arts look like?
  • Next steps

The overarching goals of this webinar will be to help arts educators move forward proactively as our schools and our state moves toward a proficiency based diploma. While LD 1422 is spelled out specifically for high Schools, the domino effect has critical ramifications for all PK-12 music, art, dance and drama teachers.

For best chances of success please join the webinar 10 minutes early and do the following:

  1. Join the meeting by clicking: https://stateofmaine.adobeconnect.com/_a827390218/maaimay2014/  Enter as a guest.

  2. Use a hard-wire connection, not wireless.
  3. Test your sound by going up to the top left, click on Meeting and Audio Setup Wizard and follow the directions.

At the conclusion of the webinar there will be a link for you to complete a short feedback survey. You will receive one contact hour for completing the feedback form (issued at the end of May).

Please be sure to join for what promises to be an engaging, insightful hour on the topic that will continue to impact every one of us as arts educators in the state of Maine! One contact hour is available for participating. If you miss the session live it will be archived afterwards for your viewing. Please watch the Maine Arts Education blog for the link to it.

If you have any questions please email me at argy.nestor@maine.gov.

Posted in assessment, Curriculum and Instruction, Leadership, Opportunity, Professional Development, Standards Based Education, VPA | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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