Posts Tagged ‘visual and performing arts education’

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Teaching Artist Opportunity

July 6, 2016

MALI Summer Institute

Calling Teaching Artists – You’re Invited!

Summer professional development

Wednesday, August 10, 8:00 to 4:00

USM, Portland

Cost: $20 to reserve your spot and cover lunch

Teaching Artist Tim Christensen works with a student at Camden-Rockport Middle School

Teaching Artist Tim Christensen works with a student at Camden-Rockport Middle School

The Maine Arts Commission invites you to an all day professional development workshop that will include structured networking with more than 50 PK-12 Visual and Performing Arts teachers from throughout Maine!

This year’s Teaching Artist professional development day is designed to focus in depth on the role of the teaching artist in the K-12 classroom, and the relationship between the K-12 arts educator and the teaching artist.

The day includes workshops designed specifically for Teaching Artists focusing on topics including: how to get funding, best practices for Teaching Artists, standards, assessment, advocacy, and more.

The goal? More high quality K-12 Artist in Residence programs in the state of Maine!

What will you get when you attend the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative Summer Institute?

  • Opportunities to connect with and engage collaboratively with PK-12 visual and performing arts teachers from Maine schools
  • An exciting, teacher – driven environment for teaching artists who are interested in professional development with peers
  • Sessions that are planned to fit your needs as a teaching artist
  • Morning coffee/tea, a yummy lunch and afternoon snacks

To register please CLICK HERE.

Presented by Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI) of the Maine Arts Commission. To learn more about the MALI please go to http://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Education/MAAI#.

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, Leadership, Media Arts, Music, Opportunity, Professional Development, Standards, Theater, Visual Arts, VPA | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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Phase VI MALI Leaders Announced

June 8, 2016

Teacher Leaders with a twist

screen-shot-2012-05-14-at-9-26-16-pmAlmost exactly one year ago the teacher leaders were announced for Phase V of the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative.  I am excited to share with you that the Phase VI Teacher leaders have been selected for the initiative. In addition, Teaching Artists Leaders have been selected.

In August they will attend a 3-day professional development institute at the University of Southern Maine expanding their knowledge in teaching and learning in the arts and have opportunities to network. During the 2016-17 school year the Teacher Leaders will present workshops at the Regional and Mega-regional levels across the state. Teaching Artists Leaders will create resources and workshops to share throughout Maine as well. Watch for the blog posts with more information on the opportunities provided by Phase VI of MALI!

Photo on 3-30-16 at 4.07 PMCONGRATULATIONS and here’s to the following PK-12 arts educators and teaching artists for stepping forward and taking on this important work across Maine! Continuing with the initiative for Phase VI are many of the teacher leaders from Phases 1 through 5! Thank you for your continued support, interest, and for taking on the role of leader!

TEACHING ARTISTS LEADERS

  • KAREN BROOKS – Visual Artist
  • TIM CHRISTENSEN – Visual Artist
  • JERI PITCHER – Theatre
  • BRIGID RANKOWSKI – Mixed Media, Movement/Flow Arts, Film

MUSIC EDUCATORS

  • CYNTHIA STREZNEWSKI – Woolwich Central School, grades K-8
  • DANIELLE SULLIVAN – Sherwood Heights Elem School, grades PK-6

THEATRE EDUCATORS

  • JASON BANNISTER – Troy Howard Middle School, grades 7-8
  • PAM CHERNESKY – Houlton Middle/High School, grades 6-12
  • RICK OSANN – Bonny Eagle High School, grades 9-12
  • JEAN PHILLIPS – Wiscasset High School, grades 9-12

VISUAL ART EDUCATORS

  • JACLYN BOUSQUET – Traip Academy, grades 9-12
  • PAM CHERNESKY – Houlton Middle/High School, grades 9-12

The Maine Arts Assessment Resource website is located at http://www.maineartsassessment.com/.

The MALI Resource Bank is located at http://www.maineartsedresources.org/.

Phase V Summer Institute

Phase V Summer Institute

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Happy Arts Education Month!

March 1, 2016

March it is!

When others are looking out the window waiting for Spring, Visual and Performing Arts Educators and others committed to excellent quality and access to arts education, are celebrating Arts in the Schools Month!

The month of March officially marks Youth Art Month, Music in Our Schools Month, Theatre in Our Schools Month, and Dance Education Month. A time for everyone to recognize students and their involvement in Arts education. We celebrate all that is “right” and “great” about visual and performing Arts education and a time to shout about it!

Celebrating Arts in Our Schools Month

Celebrating Arts in Our Schools Month

March provides an opportunity for Arts education to shine even greater than it does day to day. How will you take advantage of this opportunity? I suggest that you read the post I wrote one year ago called Arts Education Month for ideas or borrow language from this post to communicate with others. Use your voice to let others know why you believe that a quality Arts education is essential for all students, PK-grade 12.

Parts of this blog post have been borrowed from HomeRoom, an education blog of the US Department of Education who borrowed the post from the Office of Innovation & Improvement. Other parts are from the professional dance, music, theatre, and visual arts organizations websites.

The arts are an important part of a well-rounded education for all students. Arts-rich schools, those with high-quality arts programs and comprehensive course offerings, benefit students in and outside of the art or dance studio, music room, or stage. “All children deserve arts-rich schools,” Secretary Duncan told an audience of arts education advocates in 2012, as he discussed the disappointing results of an ED survey that showed many students lacking adequate access to arts education.

There’s no better time to echo the secretary’s pronouncement than in March, widely known as “Arts in the Schools Month.” Under the leadership of national associations representing teachers of dance, music, theatre, and the visual arts, a variety of activities unfold throughout the month — some that showcase the achievements of students and others that focus on the professional growth of arts educators committed to achieving the goal of arts-rich schools for all students.

Waterville Senior High School band students

Waterville Senior High School band students

MUSIC

Music in Our Schools Month was established nation-wide in 1985 by the National Association for Music Education.

Music teachers celebrate Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM) in many ways by offering special performances, lessons, sing-alongs and activities to bring their music programs to the attention of administrators, parents, colleagues, and communities to display the positive benefits that school music brings to students of all ages.

Each year the National Association for Music Education sponsors a concert for MIOSM. You can view the concert videos by CLICKING HERE.

Bossov Ballet, Maine Central Institute

Bossov Ballet, Maine Central Institute

DANCE

For students of dance, March is when the National Dance Education Organization celebrates the artistic and academic achievements of exceptional students through the National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NAHSDA), which recognizes students who display outstanding artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievement in studying dance. Students who are members of NHSDA have an opportunity to be nominated for one of the highest honor programs for dance in the U.S., the NDEO Artistic Merit, Leadership, and Academic Achievement Award.

Poland Community School STEAM camp

Poland Community School STEAM camp

VISUAL ART

Youth Art Month (YAM) focuses on the value of visual art and art education for all children, with the theme of “Start With Art, Learn for Life.” State affiliates of the National Art Education Association (NAEA) help with support of YAM programs throughout the month, and NAEA members locally sponsor art exhibits and other activities to direct attention to benefits of visual arts learning and to increase community understanding and support of their schools’ arts education programs.

Maine Northern Maine Regional Final participants

Maine Northern Maine Regional Final participants

THEATRE

Theatre In Our Schools (TIOS) is a celebration of theatre in our schools and schools in our theatres. Sponsored by the American Alliance for Theatre & Education (AATE) and the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), the goals of TIOS are to raise public awareness of the impact of theatre education and draw attention to the need for more access to quality programs in and out of school for all students. While TIOS presentations and advocacy may happen anytime in schools, theatres, and other public spaces, AATE and EdTA will recognize and promote March as the official Theatre In Our Schools month.

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

Like all academic areas, students of the arts are successful because of teachers who are highly skilled, knowledgeable of developments in their fields, and motivated.

The Maine Arts Leadership Initiative provides resources aplenty at THIS LINK.

Maine DOE MEARP-1 participants

Maine DOE Maine Arts Education Resource Project – Integration participants

It’s your turn to get involved

Arts-rich schools benefit everyone. Research increasingly shows that arts education heightens engagement for all students and can increase motivation and persistence for those most at risk of failing or dropping out of school. Learning in the arts also uniquely equips students with the skills in creativity and divergent thinking as well as problem-solving and teamwork that they need to be college and career ready. The Arts Education Partnership, with support from ED and the National Endowment for the Arts, has publications and a research clearinghouse, ArtsEdSearch, to help you learn more about why the arts in our schools are worth honoring for a month.

Screen Shot 2016-03-01 at 5.53.30 AM

Attend Maine’s Arts Advocacy Day at the State House in Augusta, March 24. For more information CLICK HERE for the Maine Alliance for Arts Education website. I hope to see you there!

Take advantage of Arts Education Month to engage others in the conversation of why a quality arts education is essential for all students. Be sure that your principal and school have participated in the statewide Arts Education Census that is underway and being facilitated by the Maine Arts Commission. To learn more CLICK HERE.

Posted in Communication, Community, Creativity, Curriculum and Instruction, Food for thought, Integration, Leadership, Opportunity, VPA, YAHOO | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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NEI Course Opportunity

February 12, 2016

EDPO 540: Refining Assessment in the Music Classroom
You may be grappling with the following questions:

  • How do I reach every student in my music classes?
  • How is it possible to assess every student in my ensemble?
  • What kind of assessments should I be using?
  • What does a proficiency-based music class look like?
  • How do I convert from grades to a rubric?

You can get answers to these and other questions in an ONLINE course by the New England Institute for Teacher Education and taught by Maine music educator, Jake Sturtevant.  You can take this course for 3 graduate credits or 4.5 Continuing Education Units.

Jacob-at-piano-007emRefining Assessment in the Music Classroom, K-12, March 4 through June 10, 2016

“You may already know Jake Sturtevant, music educator at Bonny Eagle High School.  Jake is an excellent educator, and is a teacher leader for the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative.  The New England Institute has hired Jake because of his excellent knowledge, leadership and expertise.  Jake has now taught graduate level courses to music educators in elementary, middle and high school and to pre-service teachers.  He has helped so many educators navigate the often confusing and tedious process of moving toward proficiency based learning in the music class. And, because every school district handles it differently, he tailors the course to meet your individual needs.”  Catherine Ring, Ex. Director, NEI

Please join Jake and other colleagues in this ONLINE course.  CLICK HERE to register.

Posted in assessment, Communication, Community, Curriculum and Instruction, Leadership, Music, Professional Development, Resources, Standards, Standards Based Education | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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Census Update

February 9, 2016

How’s it going?

Statewide Arts Education census Champion Noel Paul Stookey (of Peter, Paul, and Mary)

Statewide Arts Education census Champion Noel Paul Stookey (of Peter, Paul, and Mary)

You might be wondering how the data collection is going for the Statewide Arts Education Census. Great news – we have reached 50% of all schools completing the survey! If you had something to do with that THANK YOU so much! This represents 292 schools – GREAT news!

BREAKDOWN BY SUPERINTENDENTS REGIONS

  • Aroostook – 55%
  • Cumberland – 54%
  • Hancock – 47%
  • Kennebec Valley – 51%
  • Mid-Coast – 51%
  • Penquis – 43%
  • Washington – 62%
  • Western Maine – 49%
  • York – 51%

If you are wondering what Superintendents Region your school is in please go to THIS LINK on the Maine Department of Education website.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO ASSIST?

Below is information on the survey for you and your principal. Please share.

COMPLETED THE SURVEY? YES…. by Superintendents Regions…below are the schools who have submitted the surveys. If your school name is not on the list that means we have not received your schools data yet. There is still time, please do what you can to help!

AROOSTOOK COUNTY

Ashland District School

Caribou High School

Caribou Middle School

David J Lyon Washburn District Elem School

Dr Levesque Elementary School

Eagle Lake Elementary School

East Grand School

East Range II CSD School

Easton Junior-Senior High Sch

Fort Fairfield Elementary School

Fort Fairfield Middle/High School

Fort Kent Elementary School

Hilltop Elementary School

Houlton Middle/High School

Katahdin Elementary School

Limestone Community School

Madawaska Middle/High School

Pine Street Elementary School

Presque Isle Middle School

Teague Park School

Van Buren District Secondary Sch

Washburn District High School

Wisdom Middle High School

Zippel Elem School

CUMBERLAND COUNTY

Baxter Academy for Tech & Sciences

Blue Point School

Bowdoinham Community School

Brunswick Jr High School

Canal School

Cape Elizabeth Middle School

Casco Bay High School for Expeditionary Learning

Chebeague Island School

Denmark Elementary School – Brownfield

Durham Community School

East End Community School

Falmouth High SchoolFred P Hall School

Gorham Middle School

Gray-New Gloucester High School

Gray-New Gloucester Middle School

Greely High School

Greely Middle School 4-5

Greely Middle School 6-8

Harpswell Coastal Academy

Harpswell Community School

Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary

Howard C Reiche Community Sch

James Otis Kaler Elementary School

Jordan-Small Middle SchoolKing Middle School

Lake Region High School

Lake Region Middle School

Levey Day School

Lincoln Middle School

Lyman Moore Middle School

Mabel I Wilson School

Mast Landing School

Memorial Elem School

Molly Ockett Middle School

Mt Ararat High School

Ocean Avenue Elem School

Peaks Island Elem School

Portland High School

Riverton Elem School

Scarborough Middle School

Sebago Elementary School

Songo Locks School

South Portland High School

St Brigid School

Stevens Brook Elem School

W H Rowe School

Waldo T Skillin Elementary School

Wentworth School

Windham High School

Windham Primary School

HANCOCK COUNTY

Bucksport High School

Bucksport Middle School

Conners-Emerson School

Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary Sch

Deer Isle-Stonington High Sch

Ella Lewis School

Ellsworth Elementary-Middle School

Ellsworth High School

George Stevens Academy

Hancock Grammar School

Mountain View School

Mt Desert Island High School

Pemetic Elementary School

Peninsula School

Swans Island Elementary School

Tremont Consolidated School

KENNEBEC VALLEY

St Michael School

Albert S Hall School

Albion Elementary School

Atwood Primary School

Belgrade Central School

Benton Elementary School

Bloomfield Elementary School

Carrabec High School

China Middle School

China Primary School

Clinton Elementary SchoolCony High School

Edmunds Consolidated School

Fairfield Primary School

Farrington Elementary School

Gardiner Area High School

Garret Schenck School

Hall-Dale Elementary School

Helen Thompson School

James H Bean School

Lawrence High School

Lawrence Jr High School

Lillian Parks Hussey School

Lincoln School

Madison Junior High School

Maranacook Community Middle Sch

Marcia Buker School

Messalonskee High School

Messalonskee Middle School

Mill Stream Elementary School

Monmouth Academy

Morse Memorial School

Mt View High School

Palermo Consolidated School

Pittston Consolidated School

Skowhegan Area Middle School

Teresa C Hamlin Elem School

Troy Central School

Vassalboro Community School

Warsaw Middle School

Waterville Junior High School

Waterville Senior High School

Wayne Elementary School

Williams Elementary School

Windsor Elementary School

Winthrop Grade School

Winthrop High School

Winthrop Middle School

MID-COAST

Ames & Weymouth Elementary Schools

Bath Middle School

Belfast Area High School

Boothbay Region Elem School

Camden-Rockport Elementary School

Camden-Rockport Middle School

Captain Albert W. Stevens School

Dike-Newell School

Edgecomb Eddy School

Hope Elementary School

Islesboro Central School

Lincoln Academy

Lincolnville Central School

Lura Libby School

Miller School

Monhegan Island School

Morse High School

Nobleboro Central School

North Haven Community School

Oceanside High School

EastPen Bay Christian School

South Bristol Elementary School

South School

Southport Central School

Troy A Howard Middle School

Union Elementary

Warren Community School

West Bath School

Woolwich Central School

PENQUIS

Hollis Elementary School

Alton Elementary School

Brewer Community School

Caravel Middle School

Carmel Elementary School

Central High School

Central Middle School

Corinna Elementary School

Dedham School

Dexter Regional High School

Dr Lewis S Libby School

Eddington & Holding Elem

Etna-Dixmont School

Forest Hills Consolidated School

Hartland Consolidated School

Hermon Elementary School

Holbrook School

Hudson Elementary School

Indian Island High School

John Bapst Memorial High School

Lee/Winn Elementary School

Mattanawcook Academy

Mattanawcook Jr High School

\Medway Middle School

Morison Memorial School

Mountain View Youth Dev Ctr

Old Town Elementary School

Penobscot Valley High School

Penquis Valley High School

Piscataquis Community Secondary Sch

Ridge View Community School

Samuel L Wagner Middle School

Se Do Mo Cha Elem – Middle School

Sebasticook Valley Middle School

Stearns Jr-Sr High School

Suzanne M Smith Elementary School

Veazie Community School

WASHINGTON COUNTY

Bay Ridge Elementary

Beals Elementary School

Calais Elementary School

Cherryfield Elementary

Daniel W Merritt School

Harrington Elementary School

Jonesport Elementary School

Jonesport-Beals High School

Lubec Consolidated School

Machias Memorial High School

Milbridge Elementary School

Narraguagus Jr/Sr High School

Pembroke Elementary School

Princeton Elementary School

Shead High School

Whiting Village School

Woodland Jr-Sr High School

Washington Academy

WESTERN

St Dominic Academy-Lewiston

Academy Hill School

Agnes Gray School

Andover Elementary School

Buckfield Jr-Sr High School

Elm Street School-Mechanic Falls

Fairview School

Farwell Elementary School

Greene Central School

Guy E Rowe School

Hebron Station School

Jay Elementary School

Leavitt Area High School

Leeds Central School

Lisbon High School

Livermore Elementary School

Martel Elem School

Minot Consolidated School

Mountain Valley High School

Mt Abram Regional High School

Mt Blue High School

Oxford Elementary School

Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School

Oxford Hills Middle School

Paris Elementary School

Park Avenue Elementary School

Poland Community School

Poland Regional High School

Sabattus Primary School

Sherwood Heights Elementary School

Spruce Mountain High School

Telstar High School

Telstar Middle School

Tripp Middle School

Turner Primary School

W G Mallett School

Walton Elem School

Washburn School

Waterford Memorial – Harrison School

YORK COUNTY

Berwick Academy

Biddeford High School

Biddeford Intermediate School

Bonny Eagle Middle School

C K Burns School Carl J Lamb School

Dayton Consolidated School

Eliot Elementary School

Governor John Fairfield School

John F Kennedy Memorial School

Kennebunk High School

Kennebunkport Consolidated Sch

Lafayette School

Margaret Chase Smith Sch.-Sanford

Marshwood Great Works School

Marshwood High School

Marshwood Middle School

Noble High School

Old Orchard Beach High School

Saco Middle School

Sanford High School

Sanford Jr High School

Sea Road School

Shapleigh School

Village Elementary School-York

Waterboro Elementary School

Wells Elementary School

Wells High School

Wells Junior High School

Willard Elem School

York High School

Young School

Fairfield School

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Dear Administrator,

September 17, 2015

Support professional development

photoI know that the professional learning opportunity on October 9 is going to be so valuable that I’ve written a “Dear Administrator” letter that you can use to support your request to attend.  The Biennial Statewide Arts Ed conference, The Measure of Success, is being held at Point Lookout Conference Center in Northport. The letter goes like this… (see below) and can be accessed by clicking here http://mainearts.maine.gov/CMSContent/arts_in_education/Biennial_Statewide/MALI_Letter_of_Support.pdf. (you can download it from there easily). Please note: I realize that the formatting might be a total mess below but I promise that when you download it from the link above that it will be fine!

All the details and conference registration are located at http://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Education/Biennial-Statewide. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions at argy.nestor@maine.gov.

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE EARLY-BIRD REGISTRATION COST OF $90. Tomorrow the cost goes to $100 and the day of the conference, the walk-in cost is $110. I hope that you can join us!

June 2015
Dear Administrator:
The Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI – formerly known as the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative) is pleased to announce the 2015 Biennial Statewide Arts Education conference “Maine Arts Education: The Measure of Success” will be held on Friday, October 9, Point Lookout Conference Center, Northport. On behalf of your visual and performing arts education teaching staff, I encourage you to support their participation in the conference. We are fortunate in Maine to have a vibrant community of arts professionals who will attend the conference with the common goal of advancing arts education for the benefit of all students in schools across Maine.
MALI (MAAI) was established in 2011 by the Maine Department of Education and is presently a
program of the Maine Arts Commission. The conference program is grounded in the mission:
MALI is committed to the development of Teacher leaders to ensure deep understanding and
meaningful implementation of high quality teaching, learning and assessment in the Arts.”
Conference opportunities include engaging workshops on Assessment, Teacher Effectiveness, Arts
Integration, Proficiency-Based Education, Movement/Dance and the Creative Process, Brain
Development, Studio Habits of Mind, Benchmarking in Music, and Assessment in Visual Arts. These
workshops will showcase the latest in research and practice, provide interactive learning through
hands-on experiences, and challenge teachers thinking. The content of the conference can be applied
immediately to teaching and learning in your school–helping to advance your goals.
The MALI shares your vision for ensuring that Maine students receive the best possible education and
that your teachers possess a deep knowledge and understanding of teaching and learning. The
professional learning opportunities made available through the MALI are unparalleled in the field of
visual and performing arts education in Maine. MALI offers a comprehensive opportunity for educators who are engaged with the arts in learning to experience exemplary practices, methodologies, and research.
I appreciate your commitment to visual and performing arts education and in supporting your arts
educators with release time and in whatever way you can, so they may attend. In closing please accept
my gratitude for your leadership that ensures a quality, comprehensive education for all students across Maine.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions by email argy.nestor@maine.gov or by phone
207-287-2713.
Yours in Arts Education,
Ms. Argy Nestor
Director of Arts Education
Maine Arts Commission
The conference is brought to you by the Maine Arts Learning Initiative (MALI), a program of the Maine Arts Commission.
Please note: On August 3, 2015, MAAI, the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative, announced its new name, MALI, the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative. MALI is a program of the Maine Arts Commission. You can read about it at https://meartsed.wordpress.com/2015/08/09/maai-goes-to-mali/. Please email Argy Nestor if you have any questions at argy.nestor@maine.gov.

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, Technology, Theater, Visual Arts, VPA, YAHOO | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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National Arts in Education Week

September 13, 2015

Resources

Screen Shot 2015-09-08 at 8.52.00 AMBelow are suggestions, from Americans for the Arts, on how to celebrate National Arts in Education Week and resources to help you do do.

Information on www.NationalArtsInEducationWeek.org Website and Resources
Launched in March 2015, a website containing downloadable resources has been made available for those interested in celebrating, advocating and participating in National Arts In Education Week.  A share domain (www.NationalArtsInEducationWeek.org) and logo have been created to unify the field in celebration. Containing action-oriented materials, the site asks supporters to take three actions:
·         Celebrate: Host or attend an event in your community to celebrate the week (and be sure to include it on ArtsMeet National Event Calendar). Download the logo (above) to be used on any materials, fliers or public awareness campaigns.
·         Advocate: Use the latest tools to bring attention to the cause of arts education in your community or state. Download resolutions for your school, city or state elected officials to voice their own support of arts education.
·         Participate: Get online and use the hashtag #ArtsEdWeek. Show a picture of student artwork or a performance with #EncourageCreativity or tell a story about an arts educator who made a difference with #TeachTheArts. Also, use the new Encourage Creativity. Teach the Arts. video campaign to bring awareness to the cause.

The Arts Education Navigator
The newest tool from Americans for the Arts launching on 9/14/15! Do you believe in the transformative power of arts education? The Arts Education Navigator will help you turn your passion into action.  Follow this six step process to better understand your role in the arts education ecosystem, the policies which affect your state, the current trends in the field and how to best take action. With over 300 contributors and 75 partner organizations, find the tools and tips you need to take action immediately! www.AmericansForTheArts.org/Navigator (Note: this link goes live on 9/14/15)

Blog Salon September 14–18: Reauthorizing ESEA
Read from 20 of the top experts from the field on the impacts of the current reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). As the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate go into Conference Committee, this is your chance to understand the inner workings on this law and its impact on arts education. Learn more on ARTSblog.

“Arts Education: What You Need to Know” Webinar Series
Every year there are new buzzwords which affect our work. Each day during the week of September 14–18, we will gather thought leaders to unpack these terms, where they came from, and their impact on our day to day work in arts education. These daily webinars will be held at 3:00 p.m. (EST) and last approximately 20 minutes. To continue the conversation, join Jeff Poulin (@JeffMPoulin) and special guests for a Twitter chat from 8:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. (EST) by following the specified hashtag. You can either view them live or throughout the week.

The topics include:

  • Monday, September 14, 3:00pm ET: Arts Integration
    Including presentations from Amy Duma (John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts), Janet Starke, (Richmond Center Stage) and Lauren Hess (Cincinnati Public Schools). Register here. Follow the conversation at #ArtsIntegration
  • Tuesday, September 15, 2015, 3:00pm ET: Creative Youth Development
    Including presentations from Heather Ikemire (National Guild for Community Arts Education), Traci Slater-Rigaud (President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities), Erik Holmgren (Massachusetts Cultural Council) and Denise Montgomery (CultureThrive). Register here.  Follow the conversation at #CYD
  • Wednesday, September 16, 2015, 3:00pm ET: STEAM
    Including presentations from Kate McClanahan (Americans for the Arts), Lucinda Presley (The Innovation Collaborative) and Andrew Watson (Alexandria City Public Schools). Register here. Follow the conversation at #STEAM
  • Thursday, September 17, 2015, 3:00pm ET: Arts Education Standards
    Including presentations from Pam Paulson (Perpich Center for Arts Education), David Dik (Young Audiences Arts For Learning) and Jim Palmarini (Educational Theatre Association).  Register here. Follow the conversation at #Standards
  • Friday, September 18, 2015, 3:00pm ET: Creative Aging
    Including presentations from Gay Hanna and Evan Sanderson (National Center for Creative Aging) and Robert Schultz (City of Mesa, AZ Arts and Culture).  Register here. Follow the conversation at #CreativeAging
    Be sure to register for the webinars to receive the direct link, pre-reading materials, and details for the follow up Twitter chat!

Join the National #ArtsEdChat on Twitter
Join Americans for the Arts’ Arts Education Program Coordinator, Jeff M. Poulin (@JeffMPoulin) and special guests for a Twitter chat from 8:00–9:00pm ET by following the specified hashtag. The Schedule is as follows.
Monday, September 14, 8:00-9:00pm ET: Arts Integration (#ArtsIntegration)
Tuesday, September 15, 2015, 8:00-9:00pm ET: Creative Youth Development (#CYD)
Wednesday, September 16, 2015, 8:00-9:00pm ET: STEAM (#STEAM)
Thursday, September 17, 2015, 8:00-9:00pm ET: Arts Education Standards (#Standards)
Follow @Americans4Arts and #ArtsEdWeek for more updates.

Posted in Communication, Community, Integration, Leadership, Opportunity, VPA | Tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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A Word About the Conference Presentations

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.

Screen Shot 2015-07-17 at 2.07.33 PM

If they look serious it is because they were working to bring you the BEST learning opportunities possible!

THE TOPICS

  • Studio Habits of Mind: Using the “Hidden Curriculum” to Encourage Student Autonomy with Visual Arts Teachers Theresa Cerceo from Dr. Levesque Elementary, Wisdom Middle/High School and Janie Snider from Hancock Grammar School
  • Making Maine and ME with Visual Arts Teacher Jennie Driscoll from Brunswick High School
  • Evaluating Individual Proficiency within the Large Ensemble with Music Teacher Jen Etter from York Middle School
  • Dancing with the Creative Process: How to incorporate standards-based dance and movement activities in classroom learning and assessment with Dancer, Educator, and Teaching Artist John Morris
  • In the Midst of Madness with Music Teacher Jen Nash from Sabasticook Valley Middle School, Dance Teacher MaryEllen Schaper from Bonny Eagle Middle School, and Associate Professor, Educational Leadership from USM Jeff Beaudry, Ph.D.
  • Empathy, Kindness and Wonder, Arts Integration at Work with the Director and Founder of Sweet Tree Arts Lindsay Pinchbeck
  • Brains on Fire: How Research on the Brain Can Inform Arts Education with the Executive Director of the New England Institute for Teacher Education Catherine Ring
  • From Cool to Tool: Technology Integration with Student Learning in Mind with Music Teacher  Kate Smith from Central School in South Berwick, Mountain Valley High School in Rumford Teacher Jeff Bailey, and Mt. Blue High School in Farmington Teacher Dan Ryder
  • Proficiency Based Learning: An Advocacy Story Music Teacher Rob Westerberg from York High School 

    Want to learn more about the sessions? 
    If you wish to reach a description of each workshop, see photos of the presenters, WATCH A ONE MINUTE VIDEO on each session, please go to http://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Education/Biennial-Statewide-Workshop-Descriptions#.

    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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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MALI Critical Friend Day

August 22, 2015

A great day in Portland!

IMG_0233So impressive were the presentations all day on Thursday during the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI) Critical Friend Day. Forty-five educators convened at Luther Bonney Hall on the USM, Portland campus. Twenty-four educators made presentations, either a workshop or a logic model idea. When not presenting they joined the critical friends who were a collective of teachers, a principal, an assistant principal, curriculum leader, an assistant superintendent, and an Apple employee. In addition, we had three educators join electronically and two actually gave their presentations from Aroostook county during their prep periods (school is underway). Needless to say it was very cool that they could join us from a distance. The entire day was a TERRIFIC learning opportunity for all involved. The presenters received valuable suggestions so they can tweak and expand on their ideas and the critical friends walked away with new information and ideas to apply to their own work. It is a fabulous opportunity for all involved.

Dance and visual arts teacher leader from Lake Region High School Carmel Collins and music teacher leader from Sebasticook Valley Middle School

Dance and Visual Arts Teacher Leader, Lake Region High School Carmel Collins, and Music Teacher Leader, Sebasticook Valley Middle School

The presentations were in direct connection with the three-day MALI institute that was held earlier this month where over 50 visual and performing arts educators and teaching artists came together for a professional learning opportunity. You can read about the institute in several consecutive blog posts starting with August 10. They had a chance to gain more knowledge in teaching, learning, assessment, proficiency-based education, leadership, advocacy, technology, creativity, integration, and several other relevant topics related to the challenges faced in the visual or performing arts classroom. I had a chance to go from one workshop to the next and it was amazing to see the high quality of work that has been formulated.

Visual Art Teacher Leader Mandi Mitchell from Hermon High School

Visual Art Teacher Leader Mandi MItchell, Hermon High School

You might be wondering what a critical friend is or does. Below is how we guided the work of those who graciously took on the role as “critical friend”.

One definition of “critical” is expressing or involving an analysis of the merits and faults of a work of literature, music, or art. A “friend” is a person who gives assistance. The MALI leadership team asks you to do both in a gentle helpful way. We want the teacher leaders to create the best work possible so please be honest in your feedback.

Rob Westerberg, Nancy Kinkade, Holly Leighton, (hidden) Shari Tarleton, and Virgil Bozeman provide feedback

Rob Westerberg, Nancy Kinkade, Holly Leighton, (hidden) Shari Tarleton, and Virgil Bozeman provide feedback

The workshops will be presented at the local level during the 2015-16 school year. The new teacher leaders (https://meartsed.wordpress.com/2015/05/26/phase-5-maai-teacher-leaders-announced/) will be selecting a location and time and all of the information will be posted so you can see what is offered and plan to attend.

Trevor Marcho Music Teacher Leader Mattanawcook Academy

Trevor Marcho Music Teacher Leader Mattanawcook Academy

The veteran teachers selected a problem and created a plan to solve the problem. The logic model is just that – a way to guide those using it to a clear picture of how to influence and create change. You can read a bit about logic model at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logic_model.

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Allie Rimkunas, Great Falls Elementary Art Teacher Leader

During the afternoon session we participated in a “messaging” workshop that was facilitated by Kate Smith, music teacher leader from South Berwick. Participants selected a topic that they wanted to refine to be able to communicate clearly and concisely at a moments notice when the opportunity arises.

Art Teacher Leader, Lisa Ingraham, Madison and Critical Friend Hollie Hilton

Art Teacher Leader, Lisa Ingraham, Madison and Critical Friend Hollie Hilton

Needless to say yesterday was a great day for Arts education in Maine. Nothing like being in an environment where everyone is talking, thinking, exchanging about visual and performing arts education – directly connected to all the issues and topics of education in general! If you’d like to read about the teacher leaders and leadership team please go to the Maine Arts Assessment site at http://www.maineartsassessment.com/.  You can be part of the next quality learning opportunity at the Biennial Statewide conference being held on Friday, October 9, Point Lookout Conference Center, Northport, Maine. Information and registration for the great day we have planned is located at http://mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Education/Biennial-Statewide. If you’d like to learn more about being involved in MALI and the opportunities that the initiative provides please be sure and email me at argy.nestor@maine.gov.

Music Teacher Leader Kate Smith, and Critical Friends, AOS 92 Curriculum Leader Mary Boyle and 2014 Maine Teacher of the Year Karen MacDonald

Music Teacher Leader Kate Smith, and Critical Friends, AOS 92 Curriculum Leader Mary Boyle and 2014 Maine Teacher of the Year Karen MacDonald

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, Food for thought, Integration, Leadership, Opportunity, Professional Development, Technology, VPA, YAHOO | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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Teach to Lead

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.

balconyWe 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

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

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

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.

group

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.

feedback

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.

CKsK_4VUEAAMBoZ

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 nations capital.

Flying over the nation’s capital

Flying into Portland, home again.

Flying into Portland, home again.

 

https://youtu.be/o4rlENK-k5I

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