MALI Summer Institute

Work is just beginning

Even though another Maine Arts Leadership Initiative Summer Institute (MAL) is history (number 8), the work for the MALI Teacher Leaders and Teaching Artist Leaders is just beginning.

I am so impressed with the topics that participants have taken on – each year the work is more comprehensive! I will include information about the research the leaders have underway in a future blog post.

The work is challenging and participants make a commitment to stretch themselves as they build on their knowledge and expertise as educators in the arts. MALI’s educators are committed to providing quality arts education for every Maine learner.

Often I am asked so what’s MALI all about and how can it impact me as a teacher? Below you will find some of the initial feedback received at the conclusion of the institute. The comments reflect the thoughtfulness of the participants and will provide a glimpse of the power of participating in MALI as a “leader”.

• This institute may have changed my entire outlook. I feel like I have value and can help others through my work.
• The energy was great.
• Thank you for bringing us all together! The constant stimulating conversations are exhilarating! (joyfully exhausting). I LOVED the storytelling element.
• Powerful presentations great stories
• Gained a tremendous amount of insight into other teacher’s schools, jobs and lives. Always amazing experiences with MALI.
• Thank you for the community connection of the Museum of Art and Ashley. Very inspiring.
• Lots of great info. Introduced to new concepts. Networking and connections.
• Amazing sharing! Inspired beyond belief by my peers.
• Once again, I’m leaving excited about this year.
• Leadership and creativity hit the spot for me personally. As always you can’t beat the connections made and renewed at MALI. I think I have benefitted a lot from a few key conversations.
• OMG! I needed a 4^thday now! Can you believe it? Great re-boot to my goals as an educator. Focused organization to start the year!
• It was great! I have much to ponder over the coming months.
• Lots of great information and inspiration. I liked the small workshops best.
• I feel motivated and empowered by being around so many like-minded people. The positive energy that is found in this room is amazing.
• This might be my favorite yet! I feel so fulfilled but not overwhelmed! So re-energized! Thank you and so much love for this organization!
• I find it fascinating that as we add years on to our MALI gatherings our topics and ideas for our projects and presentations get bigger, better, deeper, more thoughtful, more global. I am so lucky to be part of this organization. Your hard pre-game work was truly appreciated!
• Love the peeps – Love the sharing – especially the personal journeys. Leadership and artistic.
• My overall reflection brings me to WOW! I have thoroughly been challenged, inquisitive, curious, exhausted, reignited, and REWARDED. Being surrounded by greatness has, again, been humbling.
• This was an awesome opportunity to converse with people with similar professions and a wealth of experience to reflect on.