Posts Tagged ‘usm’
March 16, 2017
Southern Maine Partnership/USM
The 2nd Assessment for Learning & Leading two-day conference on May 3rd-4th in beautiful Portland, ME on the USM campus. This conference is provided by the Southern Maine Partnership and USMs Educational Leadership Program.
This conference will provide opportunities to engage with internationally acclaimed classroom assessment experts, Jan Chappuis and Rick Stiggins (in person), USM faculty, and a host of educational practitioners on high-impact strategies of assessment for learning.
Guest presenters/administrators from Ashland Middle School (Oregon) Katherine Holden and Steve Retzlaff will join us and focus on proficiency-based assessment rubrics and systems thinking.
Dr. Holly Couturier, Assistant Executive Director of the Maine Principals’ Association, will share her leadership and assessment expertise.
Another area of focus will be data literacy with interim benchmark assessments like the MAP assessment from the NWEA and the Lucy Calkins assessment program. Tim Neville will represent the NWEA and Kellie Smith will present on the reading and writing literacy connections to assessment/data.
Teacher leaders and staff from the Maine Research in STEM Education Center will join us to present their assessment literacy leadership/study group model as well as sound assessments and scoring guides created around NGSS practices.
Leaders from schools and districts will discuss strategies for successful teacher and administrator leadership in professional development. Another feature will be the implementation of assessment for learning strategies with regional partnerships like Southern Maine Partnership, Penobscot River Educational Partnership, Washington County Leaders Consortium, Midcoast Regional Professional Development Center, and Northwoods Partnership.
Who Should Attend: The primary audience will be preK-12 educators and leaders; however, we encourage higher education faculty, legislators, educational researchers, school board members, and other policy makers to also attend.
Cost: $225 fee for full access to 2-day conference, including all keynotes, sessions, materials, lunch, and refreshments ($125 for one-day only)
Register Now:
https://conferences.usm.maine.edu/attendeeonline/AutoLogin.aspx?page=new&event=1456&password=event
Posted in assessment, Community, Curriculum and Instruction, Opportunity, Professional Development, Research | Tagged Anita Stewart McCafferty, assessment, Jan Chappuis, Jeff Beaudry, Rick Stiggins, Southern Maine Partnership, usm, USM Educational Leadership program | Leave a Comment »
February 8, 2017
Sculpturing at LRHS
Students of Lake Region High School recently partnered with the sculpture department of USM in a collaboration of critiquing student sculptures. LRHS students of Clay I class taught by Ms. Carmel Collins, were assigned to design and construct a ‘Visionary Box.’ The ‘Visionary Box’ was to be a vessel that contained 3 objects which the students felt best represented the values, traditions and beliefs of society at the present time. The outside of the box was to be designed and sculptured in ways that communicated the meaning of the objects held within the box.
Once the boxes were complete they were delivered to Professor Michael Shaughnessy head of the sculpture department USM. Students under the tutorage of Mr. Shaughnessy critiqued and evaluated the student’s work paying particular attention to the craftsmanship, creativity and communicativeness of the overall box.
At a later date Professor Shaughnessy and one of his students Riley Schwartz visited the students of LRHS and shared their critiques. Each student received rich detailed feedback of their work whilst highlighting 
their creative journey to the finished product. It was a wonderful opportunity for students of LRHS to step out of the classroom with their art work to reach an authentic audience and engage in a rewarding arts dialogue. We are thankful to Professor Shaughnessy and his students for giving their time freely and willingly in developing what we hope to be a continued arts partnership with the USM.
Professor Shaughnessy in response to the collaboration commented, “USM students very much enjoyed discussing the work of the Intro to Clay Students. It was a rich experience both ways and we look forward to further projects with the students of Lakes Region High School.”
Posted in Opportunity, Visual Arts | Tagged Carmel Collins, Lake Region High School, LRHS, Michael Shaughnessy, usm | Leave a Comment »
February 3, 2017
MAEA Portals show
Read about the art teachers exhibit at USM Gorham sponsored by the MAEA. CLICK HERE.
Posted in Community, Creativity, Food for thought, Leadership, Opportunity, Visual Arts | Tagged art education, MAEA, maine art education association, Maine art teachers, usm | Leave a Comment »
December 10, 2016
USM music
The University of Southern Maine got an early Christmas present Friday – a $600,000 surprise donation to the university’s School of Music.
A representative of the Falmouth-based Bob Crewe Foundation showed up Friday night at the President’s Scholarship Gala, at the Westin Portland Harborview Hotel, and sprung the donation on the 300 guests there, according to a news release Monday from USM.
Read the entire story from the Portland Press Herald by CLICKING HERE.
Posted in Music, Resources | Tagged Bob Crewe Foundation, music scholarships, usm | Leave a Comment »
August 11, 2015
A favorite part
Teacher Leaders working on their posters creating their action plans and logic models for sharing
The Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI) continues to use a Critical Friends model to provide feedback to each other as the work progresses. This years new Teacher Leaders created Action Plans that start with Essential Questions. For example, Why and how should we assess students in instrumental ensembles? The questions vary depending on what each teacher leader is learning and needing in their classroom. The template that is used helps the teachers formulate their ideas so they can present a workshop on the topic for other visual or performing arts teachers during the 2015-16 school year.
Along with the question(s), the template includes the following categories:
- Rationale
- Workshop Objective
- Workshop Description
- Timeline 1-6 months out
- Resources Needed
- Student Impact
You can imagine once the above are fleshed out, a plan develops for the workshop format. This is not to say that the plan is simple. In fact, some teachers really struggle to bring the plan together. It is amazing to watch the progress.
The returning Teacher Leaders used a different format this year – new to MALI as well. Teachers started with a Problem and a Goal.
From there they developed the following:
- Inputs
- Activities
- Outputs
- Outcomes
- Student Impact
- Rationale
A Logic Model poster with comments on stickies
The MALI team that went to Washington, D.C. for the Teach to Lead Summit in July learned about the Logic Model template and decided hands-down that it was the way to proceed with the returning Teacher Leaders.
On the third day of the summer institute held at USM, Portland on August 3-5 all the Teacher Leaders shared their ideas in small groups with critical friends and received feedback that they could immediately apply and make any of the changes.
The frosting on the cake comes during the afternoon when teachers participated in a gallery walk reviewing the plans of each teacher. It was silent for 90 minutes while each Teacher Leader provides thoughtful feedback on stickies that the teachers use to make further changes. Both groups produced an amazing amount of high quality work during the 3-day institute.
In addition, the Critical Friend assigned to the MALI team while in DC for the Summit joined us electronically to provide feedback to Teacher Leader and music educator from Bonny Eagle High School, Jake Sturtevant. It was great to watch the process in action.
Jacob Bruno from Corwin, MALIs Critical Friend, providing feedback to Jake Sturtevant
On August 20 the MALI will have a Critical Friends Day to provide feedback for the last time before they take their workshops and plans “on the road”.
Just a reminder that 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 let me know if you have any questions.
Posted in assessment, Communication, Community, Curriculum and Instruction, Food for thought, Leadership, Professional Development, VPA | Tagged arts education, critical friends, gallery walk, MAC, Maine arts leadership initiative, MALI, MALI summer institute, Portland, usm, VPA education | 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 »
April 20, 2015
Maine Music Educators Association
There is one month until the All State Festival and In Service Conference being held at USM, Gorham campus on May 14 and 15, 2015. The Maine Music Educators invite you to join them and promise that there is something for everyone!
The following highlights are important to note
- 5 workshops with Christi Carey Miller of Hal Leonard
- Key note by Peter Boonshaft
- NAfME Eastern Division President Robert Frampton
- Exhibits Crawl
- President’s Reception
- Workshops about online auditions
- Director’s Chorus
Click Here for the Registration Form! Registration (pre-register by April 30, 2015)
Call for a hotel reservation today Best Western Merry Manor (207) 774-6151
Thank you to Sue Barre and Sam Moore- Young who are the conference co-chairs. If you have questions please email them at sbarre@aos92.org or yeomoore1954@gmail.com. Thanks also to Kristin Thomas who is doing an AMAZING job on the festival side of things.
In addition the conference highlights include the following
- Performances by the Navy Band Thursday night and the Director’s Chorus and Maine Rock Orchestra Friday night.
- Maine Music Educator of the Year and Outstanding Administrator will be announced at the President’s Reception.
- York Treble Choir and Chamber Singers performing
- Brunswick Concert Band performing
- Over 60 workshops including 2 workshops by Maine Arts Assessment Initiative Leadership Team member and York High School choral director Rob Westerberg about assessment – Keeping it real and painless :-)!
I hope to see you there on May 14 or 15!!
Posted in assessment, Communication, Community, Curriculum and Instruction, Leadership, Music, Opportunity, Professional Development | Tagged All-State music conference, Gorham, MAC, Maine arts education, Maine Music Educators Association, MMEA, usm | Leave a Comment »
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
USM, 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
Thanks 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 Catherine Ring, Jeff Beaudry, Laura Artesani, MAAI, MAC, Maine, Maine Arts Assessment Initaitive, Maine arts education, mega regional workshops, Rob Westerberg, teacher leaders, UM Orono, usm | Leave a Comment »
November 3, 2014
One-day conference, December 3, 2014
Southern Maine Partnership Presents
TEACHER EVALUATION, STUDENT GROWTH, AND TEACHER EFFECTIVENESS:
FINDING A PLACE AT THE ASSESSMENT TABLE
Keynote by Rick Stiggins
Rick Stiggins, author of recent books Defensible Teacher Evaluation: Student Growth Through Classroom Assessment and Revolutionize Assessment: Empower Students, Inspire Learning will keynote the event. Rick founded Assessment Training Institute to provide professional development in assessment literacy for school leaders and teachers. He has authored several books and a host of papers on the subject.
Who Should Attend?
The one-day conference is designed for: School and District leaders, teachers, Effective Educator Steering Committee members, School Board members, and all interested in the implementation of Education Policy.
Price: $75 registration fee includes coffee, snacks, and lunch, USM, Portland campus
Registration Process: Complete the online registration at this link: http://bit.ly/1xhzG35. Limited space available.
3 Concurrent Sessions
- Various districts will present their Educator Effectiveness Plans, including the student growth component
- DOE Effective Educator Coordinator, Mary Paine
- Student Learning Outcome (SLO) examples and processes
- Assessment Literacy for Leaders and Practitioners
- Teacher leaders from the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative will taker their place at the table and share teacher evaluation work.
- The Center for Research on STEM Education (RISE) from UMaine Orono will share their work with pre-post tests.
- USM graduate students and professors pilot student growth models
For more information please contact Anita Stewart at anita.stewart@maine.edu.
Posted in assessment, Community, Curriculum and Instruction, Food for thought, Opportunity, Professional Development, Research | Tagged conference, Portland, Southern Maine Partnership, usm | Leave a Comment »
October 30, 2014
University of Southern Maine, Portland, Mega-regional workshop, Friday, April 3, 2015
The Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) is once again offering Mega-regional workshops in five locations across the state of Maine during the 2014-15 school year. The workshops are being facilitated by the MAAI Teacher Leaders, different workshops scheduled for each location. Yes, you can register for more than one! 5.5 contact hours are being provided for all-day participation.
The five Mega dates and locations for the 2014-15 school year
- Friday, March 6, 2015 Aroostook county
Registration is also open for Mega Mount Desert Island High School, Mega Oxford Hills, South Campus, and Mega UMaine, Orono. It will be available for Aroostook county in the very near future. MAAI is a program of the Maine Arts Commission.
The information for Mega USM, Portland is located at http://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Education/MAAI-Mega-Regionals-USM-2015#USM.
Once you read through the details, you can determine which workshop you’d like to attend for Session I and Session II. To complete your registration please click on this link http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07ea1ghdq4i1s4snna/a014xi1tzgnbz/questions.
You can pay the $25 registration fee using PayPal or you can pay by sending a check made out to Maine Art Education Association and mail it to Maine Arts Commission, c/o Argy Nestor, 193 State Street, 25SHS, Augusta, 04333. You will find all of the information and details that you need when you register at the link above. Please contact me if you have any questions at argy.nestor@maine.gov.
Overall Workshop Schedule
- 8:15 a.m. Registration begins
- 8:45 a.m. Opening Session and Morning Workshops
- 9:10 – 10:20 a.m. Breakout Workshop Session I
- 10:20 – 10:30 a.m. Break
- 10:30 – 11:40 a.m. Breakout Workshop Session II
- 11:40 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Lunch, participants on their own
- 12:30 – 12:45 p.m. Artist Showcase
- 12:45 – 2:45 p.m. Session III Large group by Arts Discipline
- 2:45 – 3:00 p.m. Closing Session
The workshop titles and descriptions for the Mega UMaine, Orono are included below.
Session I
The Studio Habits of Mind: Using the “Hidden Curriculum” to Encourage Student Autonomy
Join us in our exploration of assessment and proficiency using the Studio Habits of Mind. This workshop will present a practical look at how we came to understand and use the constructs of Studio Thinking in our K-4 and K-8 classrooms to promote independent, self-directed learning. You will gain hands-on knowledge of these habits and leave with strategies you can use in your own classroom. Grades K-8 (Easily adapted for grades 9-12.)
Jane Snider Hancock Grammar School Visual Arts
Lisa Ingraham Madison Elementary School Visual Arts
The Recipe: Ingredients in a Proficiency-Based Curriculum
The thought of creating a proficiency-based curriculum from scratch can be daunting. When we try cooking something new for the first time, we seek a recipe to follow, and over time we adjust, improvise, substitute, and personalize the ingredients to make the recipe our own. We would like to share our recipe with you, it may not be exactly your taste, but we have ingredients and tools to share to help you get started. Grades 9-12 (Easily adapted for all grades.)
Michaela DiGianvittorio and Sarah Gould Gray-New Gloucester High School Visual Arts
Unpacking the Standards with your BFF (Best Foot Forward)
Looking for meaningful conversations around assessment in the elementary music classroom? So often music teachers feel as if they are working in isolation. Come see how Teacher Leaders Cynthia Keating and Kate Smith worked together to unpack the standards to identify their essential learnings. Tips for how to report essential learnings to parents will be shared. Grades PK-5
Cynthia Keating Village Elementary School Music
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
A workshop for Early Childhood Educators, Elementary Arts Specialists, and Elementary Administrators. Come join the fun as we explore how and why arts play is essential to every young child’s ability to learn how to learn! Grades PK-2 (all Arts disciplines)
Judy Fricke Main Street Music Studios Music
Writing What We Do: A Guide to Standards-Based Curriculum Mapping & Unit Design
Essential what? Enduring Understandings? Why is it important to write down what I do in my classroom? Many districts across the state are focused on Curriculum Mapping and Unit Design using a variety of systems for tracking and organizing curriculum, units, and assessments. This session will focus on developing skills in navigating the Understanding by Design model of unit and curriculum design. Participants will learn how to organize their curriculum, develop essential questions and enduring understandings, and determine assessment types based on what they are already teaching in their arts classrooms. Examples and resources will be provided. Grades PK-12 (all Arts disciplines)
Brian McPherson Woodside Elementary School Vistual Arts
Jake Sturtevant Bonny Eagle High School Music
Session II
Using Digital Process Folios as a Journaling Approach to Self Assessment
Have you ever wondered how to digitally document students growth and understanding? Using technology, students document their learning experiences in the art room through a process-folio. For many of us, learning is about the process not the end result – learn how reflective writing and self assessments can guide students through a greater understanding of their work. Grades 6-8 (Easily adaptable for grades 9-12.)
Melanie Crowe Marshwood Middle School Visual Arts
Hatching A Songbird: Teaching and Assessing Singing Skills at the Primary Level
Focusing on the Kindergarten year, this workshop will offer methodical strategies for teaching young children to sing. Included will be ideas for formative assessment, including student self assessment. Grades K-2
Patti Gordan Raymond Elementary School Music
Moving Towards Your Goals: Using Technology for Self-Assessment in a Performing Arts Classroom
This workshop will demonstrate how to have students successfully self-assess their work in your performing arts classroom using their own devices. Using an existing high school dance lesson, participants will learn how to have their own students measure and analyze their work using applications such as Twitter, Nearpod, eBackpack, and Youtube. Grades 9-12 (all Arts disciplines)
Emma Campbell Thornton Academy Dance
Dancing With the Standards: How to Incorporate Standards-Based Dance and Movement Activities in Classroom Learning and Assessment
Are you an arts teacher who would like to incorporate more movement in your classroom, but may feel that you lack confidence or familiarity with dance movement? This experiential workshop will walk you through a powerful yet simple creative movement exploration and dance making process that are standards-based and well suited to integrate with any content area. You will learn simple movement tools and a dance making activity that you can implement – no dance background needed – to help your students explore lesson content and engage in creative problem solving together. Grades PK-12 (all Arts disciplines)
John Morris Dance
The How and Why of Digital Portfolios
This workshop is focused on using Google Drive to create a digital portfolio as a means to show evidence of proficiency, allow for a method of feedback on student work and as a way to organize and maintain student work. This workshop can be used by all VPA teachers. Grades 6-12 (all Arts disciplines)
Jeff Orth Richmond Middle/High School Visual Arts
Posted in assessment, Communication, Community, Curriculum and Instruction, Food for thought, Leadership, Opportunity, Professional Development, Standards Based Education, VPA | Tagged arts education, MAAI, MAC, Maine arts assessment initiative, mega regional workshops, proficiency based, usm | Leave a Comment »
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