Posts Tagged ‘Kate Smith’
August 4, 2017
Wowzer!
Kate Cook Whitt
Day 2 kicked off with an amazing STEAM presentation from Kate Cook-Whitt. The opening was titled This is your Brain on Art: Neuroscience and the Arts – “Examining the World Through Different Lenses: Art and Science”. Kate is an Assistant Professor of Education at the Center for Innovation in Education (CIE) at Thomas College. Participants agreed that Kate’s presentation was outstanding!
Teacher Leaders participated in several great mini-sessions, some led by teacher leaders and teaching artists leaders themselves including:
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Nancy Frolich, Social Justice mini-lesson
Social Justice and the Power of the Arts with Nancy Frohlich from Leaps of Imagination
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7 Strategies of Assessment with Jeff Beaudry from USM and visual art teacher leaders Holly Leighton and Samantha Armstrong
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National Board Certification with visual art teacher leader Danette Kerrigan
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Connecting the STUDIO HABITS of MIND to the NATIONAL STANDARDS in the Visual Arts classroom with visual art teacher leader Jane Snider
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Things Into Poetry session with Brian Evans-Jones
Things Into Poetry with poet teaching artist leader Brian Evans-Jones
In addition Bronwyn Sale and John Morris provided a session called Teaching for Creativity. The afternoon brought all three strands together (teaching artist leaders, new PK-12 teacher leaders and returning PK-12 teacher leaders) for a session with teaching artist leader and potter Tim Christensen. We engaged with a small medallion of clay using the process Tim is so in tune with: sgraffito.
The rest of the afternoon was spent on leadership, advocacy, and putting it into action on the follow up plans for the next year. Strand 1, the Teaching Artist Leaders met with Jeff Poulin, electronically, from the Americans for the Arts.
Day turned into night and educators gathered around the Thomas College fire pit for drumming and a chance for Tim to fire the clay pieces created earlier in the day in the propane fire pit. This provided a wonderful opportunity to connect with colleagues from across the state. What a great way to end an outstanding day!
Strand 1 with Jeff Poulin, Americans for the Arts. Kate Smith, Design Team member, holds the computer during the question and answer period
Jennie Driscoll, Elise Bothel visual art teacher leaders
Jen Etter, music teacher leader
New teacher leaders David Coffey – music and Amy Donovan-Nucci – visual art
Tim Christensen firing the clay pieces
Fun around the fire pit!
Posted in assessment, Communication, Community, Creativity, Curriculum and Instruction, Dance, Food for thought, Integration, Leadership, Media Arts, Music, Opportunity, Professional Development, Research, Resources, Standards, Standards Based Education, Theater, Visual Arts, VPA, YAHOO | Tagged 7 strategies of assessment, Americans for the Arts, Brian Evans-Jones, Bronwyn Sale, creativity, Danette Kerrigan, Elise Bothel, Holly Leighton, Jane Snider, Jeff Poulin, Jen Etter, John Morris, Kate Cook Whitt, Kate Smith, Leaps of Imagination, Maine arts education, Maine arts leadership initiative, Maine education, MALI, MALI summer institute, Nancy Frolich, National Board Certification, Samantha Armstrong, social justice, STEAM, Thomas College, Tim Christensen, VPA education | Leave a Comment »
May 26, 2017
Calling Teaching Artists – You’re Invited!
Summer Professional Development
Tuesday, August 1, 8:00 to 4:00
Thomas College, Waterville
The Maine Arts Commission invites teaching artists to attend an all day professional development opportunity on Tuesday, August 1. This will take place on the first day of the MAC Maine Arts Leadership Initiative summer institute on the beautiful campus of Thomas College in Waterville.
Teaching Artist Tim Christensen working with a Camden Rockport Middle School student during a residency
This year’s Teaching Artist professional development day is designed to focus on the role of the teaching artist and the relationship between the teaching artist and the K-12 arts educator.
The day includes workshops designed specifically for Teaching Artists focusing on a variety of topics: practices for Teaching Artists including standards, assessment, advocacy, marketing yourself, and more.
What will you get when you attend the Maine Arts Commission professional development day?
- Information on applying your expertise as an artist to the structuring of your lessons and residencies.
- Hands-on experience in relating the learning standards and assessments to your work.
- Opportunities to network with PK-12 visual and performing arts teachers from Maine schools.
- Participation in sessions that are planned to fit your needs as a teaching artist.
- A light breakfast, a yummy lunch, and afternoon snacks
Teaching Artists interested in attending must register by CLICKING HERE.
Teaching Artist John Morris working with students in MSAD#33
To apply for the Maine Arts Commission Teaching Artist roster artists are required to attend the summer professional development opportunity. The Commission will be accepting applications in the fall of 2017. CLICK HERE for the MAC Teaching Artist roster.
Presented by Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI) of the Maine Arts Commission. To learn more about the MALI please CLICK HERE. Facilitated by Teaching Artist John Morris and Music Educator Kate Smith.
If you have any questions please contact Argy Nestor, Director of Arts Education, Maine Arts Commission, argy.nestor@maine.gov or John Morris at JohnMorris08@gmail.com.
Posted in assessment, Communication, Community, Creativity, Curriculum and Instruction, Dance, Food for thought, Leadership, Media Arts, Music, Opportunity, Professional Development, Standards, Standards Based Education, Theater, Visual Arts | Tagged arts education, John Morris, Kate Smith, MAC, Maine arts education, professional development, summer institute, teaching artist opportunity, teaching artist professional development, teaching artists, Thomas College | Leave a Comment »
July 28, 2016
Kate Smith doing much more
Central School in South Berwick’s music educator is Kate Smith. She not only is totally committed to teaching music but she totally understands the value of getting students outdoors to learn, interact with, and being creative in the environment. CLICK HERE to learn about the outdoor classroom at Kate’s school.
Please email me about other kinds of work that you do at your school so we can learn about it!
Kate is the 2014 York county Maine Teacher of the Year and a member of the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative Leadership team.
Posted in Community, Creativity, Food for thought, Leadership | Tagged Central School, Kate Smith, outdoor classroom, South Berwick | Leave a Comment »
November 12, 2015
Music Educator Kate Smith speaks
As most of you know one of the major parts of my work at the Maine Arts Commission is working with Teacher Leaders through the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI). MALI is now in the 5th phase and it is such an honor to work closely with visual and performing arts teachers from all over the state. I am continually amazed at the commitment that these teachers make, above and beyond their “day job” of teaching everyday. I am especially proud when a teacher uses their voice that sheds light on their leadership.
This week, one of MALIs Teacher Leaders and a member of the MALI Leadership Team, Kate Smith used her voice to write an article for the Bangor Daily News, November 9. Kate teaches music to grades PreK-3 students at Central School located in South Berwick. Kate serves as the 2014 York County Teacher of the Year.
In the Bangor Daily News piece located at http://bangordailynews.com/2015/11/09/the-point/to-improve-as-a-teacher-and-leader-i-began-by-finding-my-voice/ Kate sheds light on and provides plenty of food for thought on the idea of using your voice. Sometimes a recognition helps us realize that we have a responsibility to use our voices. I hope you will take the time to read Kate’s piece and consider how and where and when you can use your voice in a positive way. When people like Kate use their voices it is a reflection on visual and performing arts educators. Thank you Kate! If you are using your voice, please share your story so others can learn from you!
Posted in Communication, Community, Food for thought, Leadership, YAHOO | Tagged Bangor Daily News, Central School, Kate Smith, MAC, Maine arts education, Maine arts leadership initiative, MALI, South Berwick, teacher leader | Leave a Comment »
October 15, 2015
Different format provides info for all
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:
- 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
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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.
Posted in assessment, Communication, Community, Creativity, Curriculum and Instruction, Dance, Food for thought, Integration, Leadership, Media Arts, Music, Opportunity, Professional Development, Research, Resources, Standards Based Education, Technology, Theater, Visual Arts, VPA, YAHOO | Tagged Biennial Statewide Arts Education conference, Catherine Ring, Dan Ryder, Janie Snider, Jeff Beaudry, Jen Etter, Jennie Driscoll, John Morris, Kate Smith, Lindsay Pinchbeck, MAC, Maine arts leadership initiative, MALI, MaryEllen Schaper, resources, Rob Westerberg, Theresa Cerceo | Leave a Comment »
September 10, 2015
Biennial statewide conference – October 9 – Early-bird registration deadline is today, September 10!
GO DIRECTLY TO REGISTRATION https://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1726177
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WORKSHOPS http://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Education/Biennial-Statewide-Register
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
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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
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Making Maine and ME with Visual Arts Teacher Jennie Driscoll from Brunswick High School
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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
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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!
The conference is sponsored by the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI), a program of the Maine Arts Commission. To learn more please go to http://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Education/MAAI#
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 Argy Nestor if you have any questions at argy.nestor@maine.gov.
Posted in assessment, Communication, Community, Creativity, Curriculum and Instruction, Dance, Food for thought, Integration, Leadership, Media Arts, Music, Opportunity, Professional Development, Research, Resources, Standards Based Education, Technology, Theater, Visual Arts, VPA, YAHOO | Tagged arts education, arts education resources, Catherine Ring, Dan Ryder, Janie Snider, Jeff Bailey, Jeff Beaudry, Jen Etter, Jen Nash, Jennie Driscoll, John Morris, Kate Smith, Lindsay Pinchback, MAC, Maine arts education, Maine arts leadership initiative, MALI, MaryEllen Schaper, New England Institute for Teacher Education, Rob Westerberg, statewide biennial conference, Sweet Tree Arts, teaching artist, the measure of success, Theresa Cerceo, visual and performing arts education | 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 »
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 25, 2015
What an experience
Catherine Ring, Jeff Beaudry, Theresa Cerceo, Kate Smith and I just returned from Washington, D.C. where we attended the Teach to Lead Summit sponsored by the US Department of Education and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The team represented the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) and I was so proud of all the teams accomplishments.
We participated in high quality professional development using the Logic Model which helped us to focus on our project from beginning to end. The Logic Model is a framework to help create a plan. The reason for using the Logic Model is it really helps to increase the effectiveness of implementing a project. Our purpose in going was to determine the future for MAAI so the summit was a great opportunity. We started with clearly stating the Problem (as it is called in the Logic Model):
The Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) was created to address the inconsistency and gaps in access to quality professional development for arts educators. After five years in operation, MAAI is looking to sustain the successful work it has begun, and to address the emerging needs of arts educators in our state.
Jeff and Kate
The next step included creating the goals which we decided would have a strong focus on Teacher Leadership. For 4 years now MAAI has focused on leadership by inviting visual and performing arts teachers to be Teacher Leaders (75 to date). This segment of the D.C. work helped us to dig deep on the topic of teacher leadership. It was very useful to take a close look and realize how much the focus on teacher leadership has impacted the successes of MAAI. To hear the clarity around teachers as leaders repeated over and over during the summit was validating and gave me a sense of pride in Maine arts educators.
Catherine and Theresa
From there we moved on to identifying the inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes. From this step it was fairly simple to fill in the last two segments: the rationale and the student impact. Below you see a blank template that we used to get started.
Logic Model template
MAAI was selected to attend as one of 27 teams from 125 proposals. MAAI was the only team with a statewide project represented. Also participating were 85 critical friends. Jacob Bruno who is employed by Corwin and lives in Portland, Oregon was assigned to the MAAI team and he was a great match for us. And, we were glad that Rob Westerberg could join us electronically a couple of times during the Summit.
The Logic Model template MEGA size
Once we got the bulk of the work on paper we shared with a few other groups to get and give feedback from a fresh set of eyes. We also had some professional learning around developing our message. Its one thing to come up with a good project but also important to be able to communicate about it. After more tweaking every team displayed their plan and we had time to provide feedback to each team.
The highlight of the summit was definitely having the opportunity to have the Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, visit our table (one of 4 selected) to learn about the work of MAAI.
We were so grateful to be participants in the Teach to Lead Summit. I was honored to be part of a fantastic team representing Maine and MAAI. If you are interested in attending with a project that you are considering the next one will be held in Tacoma, Washington on September 26-27 with a deadline for applications August 7. For more information including the application please go to http://teachtolead.org/summits/.
Flying over the nation’s capital
Flying into Portland, home again.
https://youtu.be/o4rlENK-k5I
Posted in Leadership, Professional Development | Tagged Arne Duncan, arts education, Catherine Ring, Jeff Beaudry, Kate Smith, logic model, MAAI, MAAI does D.C., MAC, Maine arts assessment initiative, Secretary of Education, Teach to Lead, Theresa Cerceo, visual and performing arts education | Leave a Comment »
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