In Today’s News

Hidden treasure of art

From yesterday’s Bangor Daily News, an article written by Emily Burnham…

From the outside, the South Solon Meeting House in the Somerset County town of Solon looks like many other historic buildings in Maine. Built in 1842, it’s a classic example of colonial church architecture, with Gothic Revival details in its steeple and windows, and white clapboard siding. For decades, it served as both a nondenominational house of worship and as a community center. And although church services aren’t presently held there, its doors are always unlocked, in keeping with its ecumenical history.

Inside the building, however, is a hidden treasure: a work of art unknown to many, but sublime in its scope and subject matter alike.

Mural created by Maine’s Ashley Bryan

Nearly every square inch of wall and ceiling inside is covered in frescoes, painted over the course of five years in the 1950s by 13 young artists, including Ashley Bryan, the acclaimed artist and author who still makes his home on Little Cranberry Island. The frescoes were commissioned by the town, paid for by philanthropist Margaret Day Blake, and were organized by the nearby Skowhegan School of Painting & Sculpture, an internationally renowned summer artist’s retreat, which put together several juries that selected the participating artists.

Read more by CLICKING HERE.

Teacher in a Classroom

For teachers by teachers

Recently released by the National Network of State Teachers of the Year is a research report titled Nothing Replaces a Caring Adult in the Classroom.

This research was conducted by teachers and is for the benefit of teachers. The report provides the “measures of social and emotional learning and their efficacy in educator evaluation.” The focus is on the impact a teacher has on the student learning. And addresses the importance of teaching social and emotional learning  in our classrooms. It looks at case studies and data to help educators make sense of the information.

I have a friend and colleague who has said for years “its all about the relationship” and this report supports that completely. Most teachers know and understand the importance of creating and maintaining relationships with students to have a positive impact on their learning and future.

You can read the report by CLICKING HERE.