Congratulations Rob Westerberg

NHS Award

Rob Westerberg is one-of-a-kind! With the clearest of eyes he can look over his shoulder and see where’s he has been, learn from his mistakes, and build on the successes. And, no, this isn’t about him but all about his students learning and successes. We’re fortunate to have Rob, not just in the field of education, but in the classroom. When he speaks, we know it is not about some pie-in-the-sky idea. He’s not spouting wisdom from an ivory office down the hall or in another building on campus or from a state agency but it’s from his experiences on that day with his high school students. He continually asks “why” and seeks answers while analyzing actions. In his classroom he has paused, experimented, shifted, observed, listened, reflected, written and re-written curriculum and assessment. This ongoing process has created a teaching and learning environment that continues to excite Rob and his students are jazzed!

Those of you who are fortunate enough to know Rob as a teacher, colleague, conductor, musician, and/or friend know that he cares deeply about teaching and learning. Most importantly he is an amazing human being who cares about people, as evidenced from past and present student comments. He has a unique sense of humor that is remembered by students and colleagues. He doesn’t mess around with people who aren’t fully committed to high quality music education for all learners. Sure, he’ll cajole them, encourage and answer their questions but he’s not interested in wasting his time or theirs. He’ll walk away before becoming frustrated and accepts the individual or group’s thoughts and ideas as working for them. All the while with a smile on his face! His advocacy for arts education at the local, regional, and state level has been highly impactful. When Rob is not teaching he is spending time with family or exploring with a backpack on. He has climbed all 44 of the 46 Adirondack High Peaks; an impressive accomplishment!

Recently Rob was recognized for his teaching accomplishments receiving the 2022-23 National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Music Educator Award. Rob is one of seven section recipients. Since 1989 the Outstanding Music Educator Awards have been presented by NFHS and 306 individuals have received section awards.

Some of the following information is taken from the NFHS awards page at THIS LINK.

Rob presently serves as the choral director at York High School where he has taught for nearly 25 years. Since beginning in education in 1988, his passion for music has helped students reach their full potential, and in 2004 played an integral part in getting a graduation requirement for music approved by the York school committee. York High School remains the only public high school in the Northeast to possess a graduation requirement for music.

Westerberg holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Keene State College and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Maine. As an educator, Westerberg has earned many awards, including the 2020 York County Teacher of the Year, the 2012 Maine Distinguished Choral Director, and the 2011 Carol Trimble Award for Exemplary Service to Arts Education.

In terms of leading students, Westerberg has overseen a variety of events and performances, such as the 2010 New Hampshire All State Treble Choir and the Maine Festival Chorus performance at Carnegie Hall in New York. His talents have also been used at choral camps like Laurel Music Camp as the high school choral director and at the Summer Youth Music Camp at the University of Maine from 2002 to 2016.

In terms of leading teachers, Rob is a founding member of the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative established in 2010 and has impacted the over 125 teacher leaders. He has worked extensively with arts educators and school districts across the northeast developing customized assessment strategies and proficiency based models of instruction. He is always willing to talk education and his insights are, as he likes to say are, ‘spot on’!

I can’t think of anyone who deserves this award more for ongoing work in arts education. Thank you Rob for your life long commitment to teaching and CONGRATULATIONS!

CONGRATS Rob!

York County Teacher of the Year!

When a visual or performing arts teacher is nominated for Maine Teacher of the Year it is an honor that all arts educators share! The person represents our profession first and foremost as a teacher, and specifically as an arts teacher. This year one of our own was nominated and has been selected as the 2020 York County Teacher of the Year – CONGRATULATIONS Rob Westerberg! Rob has been Choral Director at York High School since 2000 and has been teaching since 1998. He has been representing all of us in our profession for many years on a variety of levels. He has taken on leadership roles at the classroom, school, district, state and beyond Maine.

Like many of you he has an impressive resume from his 32 years in the music classroom. There are to many items to include in this blog post. His wide array of experiences have led him to many opportunities to work with colleagues throughout New England, assisting them as they work to refine their craft as well. Rob believes that “every student can achieve high academic standards in choral/vocal pedagogy and technique. Consequently, engaging them in a dynamic environment of best practices that allows them to do so is a lifelong journey and joy for me.” Rob has been recognized and celebrated by his students, parents, administrators, and his colleagues. His voice is strong and his ‘forever learning’ and ‘evolving attitude’ towards education is the foundation for this recognition.

I am proud to know and work with Rob for many years, he and Catherine Ring and I traveled to Plymouth University in August 2010 where the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative idea was hatched. Now nine years old, the initiative thrives thanks to the work of Rob and the many teacher leaders in Maine arts education.

SOME OF ROB’S BELIEFS

I am an educator with a demonstrated passion for education and progressive educational issues in Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment and student achievement. For 32 years, this dedication has been applied in the public school setting as a music teacher. Yet my accumulated professional experiences have led to many opportunities to work with colleagues throughout New England, assisting them as they work to refine their craft as well. I believe that every student can achieve high academic standards in choral/vocal pedagogy and technique. Consequently, engaging them in a dynamic environment of best practices that allows them to do so is a lifelong journey and joy for me.

The Maine County Teacher of the Year announcement, 14 May 2020. Rob second from right. On left is Kate Smith.

IN THE CLASSROOM – “Working with my Freshman is to begin analyzing who they are as people and what they need in order to become the best selves they can possibly be.”

COLLEAGUES AND COMMUNITY– Rob has facilitated professional retreats and workshops, developing curriculum and innovative approaches to assessment practices for the Visual and Performing Arts. His work impacts educators and even administrators in how they approach what they do. He empowers them to make a difference in their own settings and bring each of them to a new place in their craft. At York High School Rob led the work implementing the first public High School graduation requirement for music in the northeast. In 2010 the school  completed a $2.3 million music instructional space added to YHS, and in 2017 the Community Auditorium was opened and it has already become the cultural and creative center of the entire community.

CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT – One of Rob’s many strengths is his ability to break  down instruction and assessment practices in ways which truly accommodates those of us in the arts. He has felt for many years that all around us there are well intentioned but flawed arts programs which are really co-curricular activities “cleverly disguised” as academic programs. He believes that the fault lies in pre-service teacher training, where the emphasis is to further our craft as performers and artists, rather than as educational specialists. “The missing piece has been authentic and viable approaches to instruction and assessment which connect the two together.”

Rob and Argy at Maine Music Educators Association conference, UMaine 2010

STATE CONTRIBUTIONS – Rob co-founded the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) in 2010 with this in mind: “to work with colleagues, allowing them to re-design their own assessment practices so that student growth is furthered, instructional practices are strengthened, and new connections of learning are created.” Bringing added integrity to arts education while “keeping it real” by designing assessment strategies which are both manageable and authentic continues to be a strength of mine.

EDUCATION – Master of Music Degree, Choral Conducting, UMaine 1996 and Bachelor of Music Degree, Music Education, Keene State College 1987

MAINE TEACHER OF THE YEAR PROGRAM

I will keep you posted on the Maine Arts Ed blog and periodically share Rob’s adventures during the next year. Rob’s recognition is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to celebrate what is ‘right’ and ‘wonderful’ for education.

Rob in his classroom, 2014

Other arts educators have been recognized by the Maine Teacher of the Year program which was established in 1954. Over the years the program has changed and the county teacher of the year program started in 2014. Below are those honored by the program. (My apology if I missed someone – please let me know)!

• Bobbi Tardif – 2019 Piscataquis County Teacher of the Year, visual arts
• Shawn Rice – 2019 Androscogin County Teacher of the Year, visual arts
• Kaitlin Young – 2018 Maine State Teacher of the Year, music educator
• Anthony Lufkin – 2018 Knox County Teacher of the Year, visual arts educator
• David Coffey – 2018 Waldo County Teacher of the Year, music educator
• Christine Del Rossi – 2018 Sagadahoc County Teacher of the Year, visual arts educator
• Christi Goosman – 2017 Waldo County Teacher of the Year, theatre educator
• Andrew Forster – 2016 Kennebec County Teacher of the Year, music educator
• Susan Beaulier – 2015 Aroostook County Teacher of the Year, visual arts educator
• Kate Smith – 2014 York County Teacher of the Year, music educator
• Bill Buzza – 2011 Finalist Maine Teacher of the Year, music educator
• Jayne Quinn Sawtelle – 2010 Semi-Finalist Maine Teacher of the Year, music educator
• Charlie Johnson – 2008 Finalist Maine Teacher of the Year, visual arts educator
• Marguerite Lawler-Rohner – 2004 Maine Teacher of the Year, visual arts educator
• Doug Clapp – 1995 Finalist Maine Teacher of the Year, theatre educator
• Argy Nestor – 1995 Maine Teacher of the Year, visual arts educator
• Charles Seymour – 1986 Maine Teacher of the Year, music educator

Wisdom from Maine Arts Educators

From the voices of veteran visual and performing arts educators on starting a new school year

Make it a delicious school year!

Whether you’re just starting to teach or you’ve been add it for 50 years or somewhere in between you might be excited out of your mind to start or having the back to school dreams and asking yourself “how the heck am I going to do this?!” or somewhere in between. I asked veteran teachers “what’s your message for new and veteran teachers starting off the school year?” Here they are – WORDS FROM THE WISE and EXPERIENCED! It’s an amazing, amazing (and amazing) collection. THANKS to everyone who contributed!

Collectively below is the wisdom of 654 + 65 years of teaching. These are not in any particular order!

Kate Smith – 20 years
Central School, South Berwick Music Educator, Grades PreK-3

-The first friends you should make are the secretaries and the custodians.

-Drink plenty of water.

-Advocate for transition time between classes (see above).

-Don’t take yourself too seriously.

-Take the time to know your students.

-Find an Arts mentor. (MALI teacher leaders are great!)

-Build/maintain/reach out to a network of teachers for a sense of community and just-in-time support.

-You are going to mess up and wish you could forget it all. Write it down instead. Some day it’ll make you laugh like crazy.

Jake Sturtevant – 13 years
Falmouth High School Music Educator
If there is one thing I have learned to do over the course of the time I have been teaching it is to breathe. The power of breath is so important, and it takes moments to do. I still have those feelings of being overwhelmed and always reaching for the surface of the water beneath the pile of to-dos and hope-to-dos, but now I just try to pause and take a breathe and allow that feeling to settle and often it moves further from me.

Jen Etter – 11 years
York Middle School Music Educator 

My biggest words of advice starting a new school year and something that I am attempting to be mindful of is to not lose sight of the big picture getting bogged down in the details. Education is ever changing and constantly evolving and that can be frustrating at times. Keep focused on the big picture and what you know to be important and always keep students at the center!

Patricia Gordan – 37 years
RSU#14 Windham Raymond, Music Educator

1. I do not just teach music to children. I teach children through music.
2. Whenever I get to the point where I begin to think I know what I’m doing, I gain more wisdom and realize I still don’t know what I’m doing. (Keeps me humble.)
3. When I have a student who is a behavior challenge I try to get to know them better and build a relationship with them outside of class.
4. Music is a vehicle for expressing all thoughts and emotions. It can be scary to share the sad and angry songs with students. Will I get negative feedback from parents? “Go Tell Aunt Rhody” is a song about death! Should I use it? Of course we should be tactful and careful, but songs in music class should cover all emotions.
5. A musician must have the heart of a gypsy and the discipline of a soldier. -Beethoven – Some students will be really good at the heart thing and some will be really good at the discipline thing. Stretch them toward the other skill.
6. Sometimes I have a hard time with the word, “fun.” Music is fun but it is also hard work. I want the students to have more than “fun.” I want to feed their souls. I want them to feel the natural high that comes from producing a fantastic product that is the result of extreme effort.
7. Especially for elementary teachers – Listen very, very closely. The “music” is in there somewhere. 😊

Iva Damon – 10 years
Leavitt Area High School, Turner, Visual Art Educator

Going into this year I am really resonating with going “back to basics”. We’re here for the kids as they are at the heart of everything we do. Remembering that at the end of each day, I am able to make connections and help achieve steps in their learning. At the same time, this year I am going to work harder at self-care and making sure to take time for myself.

Holly Leighton – 10 years
Mattanawcook Academy, Lincoln, Visual Art Educator

Teaching is not something you learn and then implement for the next 30 years. It is a constant.

The more I learn the more I realize what I don’t know. It is the “what I don’t know” that drives me to learn more. This is how I grow as a person and educator. It is a continuous cycle that inspires a fresh outlook to each new school year. Take workshops and conference opportunities, no matter how long you have been teaching. After 20 years of teaching I am always come back with something I can use to positively affect student learning and engagement.

Cindi Kugell – 29 years
Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, South Paris, Visual Art Educator

Know your “Why”. When we focus on our reason for teaching, and for me it’s because there is nothing cooler than working with kids, it gives our lives purpose, clarity and focus. Working with kids keeps me young, inspired and energized and the gratification that I get from students excitement centered around the arts fuels my passion. I truly feel that teaching is my purpose.

Hope Lord – 28 years
Maranacook Community Middle School, Winthrop, Visual Art Educator

Each school year is a new opportunity for teachers to inspire students, innovate, take risks, collaborate, and celebrate the arts.

Adele Drake – 15 years
Hampden Academy Visual Art Educator

I believe in always being open to learning and receiving help and support from others.

Jane Snider – 26 years
Hancock Grammar School Art Educator

While working outside all day in my gardens to end my summer season I was thinking about all of my gardens, how much they had grown since early spring. I realized how much my teaching is like my gardening! Many plants are now in need of a rest, much like my students and I are in late Spring! I have nurtured the seedlings, plants and bushes throughout the season. I have carefully and thoughtfully helped them showcase their beauty! They’ll be back next year, bigger and brighter! Tomorrow I return to school to nurture my students and showcase the beauty of their learning through their art! I’ve had my rest and restored my spirit, I’m ready to carefully and thoughtfully begin a new season for my students! What do they need to grow and flourish?

Sue Barre – 25 years
Waterville Senior High School Music Educator 

Every year (on the advice of my first principal) I work to learn something about each of my students that has nothing to do with music. This process keeps me on my toes and it is also fun for my students to share their non music passions. I am often uplifted, sometimes saddened, and every so often astounded, to the response I can get from “share three things you did this summer.” My personal goal this year is to greet my students every day at the door……they deserve my attention, whether they are making music or not.

Carmel Collins – 20+ years
Lake Region High School, Naples, Dance Educator

Education today is like working with a living breathing organism. It is forever in a state of flux; morphing, refining, retracting, reshaping……Practice being flexible, adaptable and innovative, learn to let things go and move on, keep light on your feet and don’t get stuck in the mud!

When a parent or guardian becomes angry or frustrated with you, always remember that to them they are fighting for their child, a child they have loved and nurtured since birth. Most of the time they are not angry with you, rather it is the situation they are frustrated with and they are looking for help. Try to stay focused on the issue and don’t make it personal. Practice this and they will become your friend and loyal advocate.

Melanie Crowe –  16 years
Marshwood Middle School, Eliot, Visual Art Educator 

The anticipation of a new school year brings up so many emotions – a changing of the seasons, realizing summer is coming to an end, wiping sand off of my sandals for another season, and the vegetable garden bearing fewer treasures. Although, the excitement of meeting new students and having a chance to bring in a fresh approach and atmosphere to the classroom is a just as much a welcome adventure today as it was entering my first year 17 years ago. I am honored to share the art studio with my middle school artists, the opportunity to engage, challenge, and expand their minds is such a precious experience. The years go by in a blink of the eye, the students faces change, but the desire to light the flame of love for art grows stronger each year. I look forward to working with my colleagues integrating art in as many avenues as I can, bridging the gaps from one content to another so students can see how their learning is not in isolation but interconnected. When students can see how valued they are in the art studio, they begin to believe how valuable their art making experience is. I wish you all a wonderful school year working with the youth of Maine and beyond!

Lindsay Pinchbeck – 12 years
Sweetland School, Hope, Founder, Director, Teacher 

New Beginnings

An opportunity to start again

Still jitters – every year, conditioned since a child

Now knowing

The mix of wonder, unease and transition

Breathe

Fear not the unknown

Anthony Lufkin – 12 years
Friendship Village School, Prescott Memorial School, Union Elementary School, Rivers Alternative Middle School, RSU 40 

Every year is similar, but never the same. Each summer goes by faster and faster, but despite wish for more R&R, I always look forward to the new school year. Art and teaching are similar to me in that they are both all about making connections. In art we attempt to connect with artists of the past to understand their ideas, or we try to connect people with our own ideas and perspectives through creation. Teaching effectively requires making connections with students in a way that they can relate to, understand, and appreciate what we are teaching. If we lose connection, not only does artwork become insignificant to us, so does the purpose for learning. Each school year is an opportunity to make connections in new ways. Being in relatively the same position for several consecutive years gives me the insight for identifying ideas and processes that will relate to specific students. As I prepare to start my 12th year of teaching art, I am looking forward to “reusing” successful lessons, opportunities, and connections I have been able to make thus far.  However, I am also looking forward to experimenting with new ideas to better convey ideas, and give students new ways to understand, and more importantly connect, to what art has to offer.

Andrea Wollstadt – 20 years
John F. Kennedy Memorial School, Biddeford, Music Educator

Allow yourself to get caught up in the excitement. Students involved in music have a passion for music. Their joy and excitement is infectious. These kids are PUMPED UP about playing in an ensemble or participating in a music class. Whatever worries or anxieties you might have about the upcoming school year, make sure you give yourself a chance to catch some of their enthusiasm.

Lisa Marin – 22 years (and this is her last)
Jonesport-Beals High School & Jonesport Elementary Visual Art Educator     

Words of wisdom for the new teacher: I remember that first year being very excited, nervous and worried about doing a good job for my new students, the school system, and my colleagues. I tried to get as much input as I could from my fellow art teacher friends, who were very gracious and generous with advice and materials. I was told to relax, have fun, and realize that it takes a few years to make the program your own. So, cut yourself some slack and you’ll be great. Oh yes, and make friends with the custodial staff. Their help over the years has been invaluable.

Words of wisdom for the veteran teachers: It may sometimes be hard to keep up the energy and enthusiasm in the face of new and increasing demands on your time that have little to do with quality teaching for students. I’ve tried to combat this by finding ways to shake up my lessons. I’m looking for ways to incorporate materials I’ve been unfamiliar with or slightly intimidated by to blow out the cobwebs! It’s been fun and I often find I am helped in my success by my students. We say we are all in this together!

For the soon to be retiring teachers (like me): Plan ahead for what you’d like to do post retirement. That will make the transition so much easier. This sounds like a no brainer but is often overlooked. As much as you might love your job remember, you do the job, you aren’t the job. A new teacher’s approach can be wonderful. We were once new teachers as well with fresh ideas. Enjoy your new year!

Shalimar Chasse – 25 years
Wiscasset Middle High School Visual Art Educator rk Middle School Music Educator 

I like to start right off with hands on- avoiding the loooooonnnnnnnngggggggg and boring “expectations” talk that mostly sounds like “wha wha wha wha, wha wha, wha wha” to students just waking up after a summer of sleeping in until noon. I refer students to my on-line site and a unit binder that holds class expectation information. I send them home with a parent guide to art class and encourage them to review this with their parents and return with a parent note confirming their time together and comments or questions. I encourage students to ask me any question to help them acclimate to our space and class while we are doing our first day art activity. Students know what is expected, some need reminding or clarification or simply to know they might not get away with something they have tested. They come to art to Do art- so I like to meet their expectations hoping they might return the gesture.I love the newness of a brand new school year- with no mistakes in it. I like to think of the upcoming year and classes as the best we will experience yet.

Allie Rimkunas – 14 years en Etter
Great Falls Elementary School, Gorham, Visual Art Educator 

Love your students. The most difficult ones need the most love. As an art teacher, I rarely know the home situations, or past trauma that these little ones might have or are still dealing with. I try to keep that in mind when I know a difficult student is coming into my room. Every day is a new day and a possibility for new positive interactions.

I have been teaching for 14 years, and every August brings a new batch of school anxiety dreams. Never fails. I figure that if I didn’t get them then I am not doing my job and changing it up enough.

Catherine Ring – 65 years
Isle au Haut Visual ArtEducator 

Share your passion for learning with children. It’s contagious!

Jane Kirton – 20 years
Sanford High School Music Educator 

Be Compassionate . . . Be consistent . . . CommunicateBe compassionate – Music is one of the few subjects that connects the heart and the brain. Showing compassion towards my students and my colleagues is who I am. The world is filled with so much pain, we don’t know what our students are going through at home. I take great pride in the fact that from day one I tell my students that my classroom is their home and we are a family.  No bullying is allowed. If there is a drama free atmosphere in the room, our music will sound better!  Show you care, smile (even though you are a nervous wreck). Don’t forget to be kind to yourself.  Take care of you – exercise, drink plenty of water, yoga, anything to relieve stress.

Be consistent – Consistency, in my eyes, is critical in good parenting. Set your classroom code of cooperation on day one and stand by it! Treat everyone the same. Discipline can be challenging for a new teacher. Discipline allows a successful start for the entire class. I always remind myself I can always ease up a bit as we get into the year but hold firm to your rules. Keep up with the paperwork (yes, there are certain things we need to do as part of the job which doesn’t have anything to do with what we teach – just “get it done,” don’t put it off.)

Communication – I always tell my students that I’m not a mind reader. I encourage them to tell me what’s going on. It is also important to communicate with them and their parents – concert schedule, paperwork, etc. Communicating with your colleagues is also important. I recently read a post where a new teacher was critical of older teachers in their district in the ways they were teaching. Not a great way to start!  We’re all in this together. Reach out and communicate.  Communicate with your administration, janitors, secretaries, etc. Ask if you don’t know!!

Rob Westerberg – 32 years
York High SchoolMusic Educator 

It’s not about the product, it’s about the process. Precious few are going to remember your concert or art exhibit or play or dance recital three years from now. But dozens of years from now every single participant will remember their journey with you to create that product, and whether or not you caused them to flourish academically and blossom personally. If you take care of those two things – on a daily basis – the rest will take care of itself. Academic without personal is tedious. Personal without academic is cheating them. Both combined is spot-on and will leave you at the end of the day feeling like it was all worth while. Because it will have been.

Charlie Johnson – 44 years
Mount Desert Island High School Visual Art Educator 

Get to know your learners; it is through positive connections that a teacher can discover that which is not always overt from an individual. We are all unique and we are all special, and if you endeavor to learn about your students in a positive manner, it goes a long way toward developing a teacher/learner relationship that benefits both parties.

I’m just starting my 45th teaching year, and I’m just as excited about my new students and classes as I was my first year, because I haven’t fallen into “the same old thing” trap and have many new pieces to explore with my students!

Barbie Weed – 14 years
Gray-New Gloucester Middle School Visual Art Educator 

I always find that the best way to begin a new school year is to forge connections with students as soon as possible. Whether students are returnees for new to the school, taking a little time to get to know something about them sets a positive tone for the whole year. I’m excited for the new experiences that students will bring to my classroom.

Jean Phillips – 30+ years
Wiscasset Middle High School English and Drama Educator

Life is an occasion; rise to it.

Lisa Ingraham – 12 years
Madison Elementary School Visual Art Educator 

Plan meticulously, but keep your mind open to teachable moments. Some of the best learning experiences in my art room began with a student question, interest, and/or aha! that changed our direction for that day.

I’m looking forward to a great, creative, messy year!

MaryEllen Schaper – Retired in June with 42 years
Dance Educator 

Take your work seriously; don’t take yourself too seriously. The work is VERY important, but you can be replaced.

For new teachers, yes, you want to develop positive relationships with your students, but they are NOT your friends. If you need friends at work, develop friendships with your colleagues.

My former superintendent, used to say, “we are there to teach ALL children. Parents send us their best. They don’t keep “the good ones” home”.

We never know the baggage a student brings to school, so listen and be kind. Help students learn that that baggage may be a reason, but it shouldn’t be used as an excuse by the student, the teacher, or the parent. There’s a difference.

Applicable Lin Manuel Miranda “Hamilton” quotes:

“Why do you assume you’re the smartest in the room?” You might not be. I have learned A LOT from my students.

“I am not throwing away my shot.”  You have amazing opportunity to influence lives now and beyond anything in your wildest dreams, so go in EVERY DAY and give 100%.

“I am looking for a mind at work”. Teach your students to think outside the box, ask questions, and how to find answers, even if they might not be what you had in mind.

“Talk less. Smile more.”  Breathe. listen. You’ll be amazed at what you’ll see and hear.

“I wanna be in the room where it happens”.  You ARE in the room where it happens every day. Savor it. It goes by quicker than you’d think!

Lori Spruce – 10 years
Brewer High School Visual Art Educator 

Contribute to the knowledge and skills that you have not only in your own content area, but also expand out to involve your colleagues content areas as well. By doing so, you help not only yourself,  but also students and teachers can learn and grow in the same way. By getting out of your comfort zone and content area, the relationships that you build are invaluable and help build the confidence needed to model what you learn.

Pam Chernesky – 26 years
Mt. Blue High School, Farmington Visual Art Educator 

Start each school year open and ready to build a new community! Bring your best self and a positive attitude to what you do. Every year there will be new initiatives and demands on your teaching and your time, but the real focus should be meeting your students and sharing the excitement of creating and learning with them. Remember that you have content knowledge, passion, and experiences to share and that your students want to learn from you. Don’t become bogged down by the initiatives, administrative demands, or even the details of lesson plans. Offer challenges and take risks in your classroom! Laugh with your students!  Have fun!

Kris Bisson – 16 wonderful years!
Marshwood Middle School, Director of Choruses 

No matter what type of learners you have in your classroom, every student needs understanding.

When I’m excited about what I’m teaching, my students are excited about what I’m teaching!

Theresa Cerceo – 15 years
Dr. Levesque Elementary School & Wisdom Middle High School, MSAD # 33 Visual Art Educator

Trust your instincts, value your strengths and keep yourself open to learning new things.

Danette Kerrigan – 13 years
Sacopee Valley Middle School Visual Art Educator 

Every year is different, but poses the possibility of new discovery and greatness. Every year is the same – the same bright expectant eyes, sleepy heads, hugs and growth. Starting a new year is never boring, always keeping me on my toes, yet is as exciting as opening a new box of crayons… the possibilities are endless. Fashions change, expectations change, requirements change, students stay the same – still needing reassurance, encouragement, celebration and a champion.

For new and veteran teachers – breathe. Embrace each day and reflect at the end on what went well and be honest about what did not. Remember that everyone has something to offer, even those adults who may try your patience. They too, got up this morning, hoping to do the right thing. Assume good intentions. Always apologize – even to students – especially to students – when you have had a bad day and spoke shortly when you shouldn’t have. Remember that you are making an impact you don’t even know about yet.

Rick Osann – 15 years (retiring this year!)
Bonny Eagle High School Media, Theatre, and Visual Arts Educator 

Be sure to be yourself. Teaching can be really stressful and it’s easy to try to be different to either be the “perfect teacher” or to get your students to “like” you.  The most important thing is to feel comfortable in your own skin.  Students of any age recognize quickly if you’re not being true to your core beliefs. Students will respect you if you just be yourself.

Bill Buzza – 25 years
Edward Little High School Music Educator 

Some words of advice for the beginning of the year:

#1 – Take time to get organized. We get so busy and there are many demands on our time. Using an organizational system that works for you allows you to spend more time teaching.

#2 – (New teachers) Find a mentor and don’t be afraid to ask questions. It’s much more efficient to learn from others than trying to reinvent the wheel.

#3 – Don’t be afraid to say “No” but keep an approachable demeanor. Many times students try to learn / push a teachers limits. We need to be committed to our response and consistent so students know what to expect.

#4 – Build relations with everyone; students, administrators, parents, colleagues, custodians. There will be a time when those connections will pay great dividends.

What’s your advice to new and returning educators? Please email me yours and I will collect them for a future blog post. How will you include and support new teachers in your school/district? Please introduce them to the Maine Arts Education blog – its easy to subscribe (on the right side, half way down). And, invite them to join the community by joining the arts education list-serv by sending me their email address.

Before we get to the “wise words” from Maine, Nancy Flanagan taught K-12 music for 30 years in Michigan. She blogs for Education Week, the TEACHER section called TEACHER in a Strange Land (you may want to follow her on twitter) and on August 6 she wrote a post called Ten Non-Standard ideas About Going Back to School. It’s worth the read (after you read what Maine arts educators have to say)!

Concerts, Exhibits, What’s Up?

Great work going on statewide!

I know that this time of year is filled with exhibits and performances. Recently, I got to wondering about how many of you are videotaping wonderful examples of what Maine students are accomplishing in the arts and VOILA! the next day in my inbox was this gem, Ride the Chariot!

If you have video links to your student performances and/or exhibits please do share! Thanks to Rob Westerberg for sharing this one.

 

Standards-Based Arts Classrooms Videos

Music and Art classrooms featured

You asked for it and now you’ve got it… during this past school year the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) created 4 videos in response to “What do visual and performing arts classrooms look like in a standards-based environment?” That question came up over and over during the first phase of MAAI so we decided to incorporate the search as part of phase 2. The MAAI has continuously listened to the needs of the field and this is one of those “asks” that we responded to.

Debi Lynne Baker taught visual art for many years and most recently K-12 in Greenville. She used technology in her teaching including movie making with her students. She was the perfect person to create the first 4 videos. With hours of footage taken at each school, Debi was able to edit and come up with 4 unique videos under 20 minutes that each tell a story. What you will learn is that there is NO ONE answer to the question and you will also find that the videos provide so much more than just answers to the question!

As we consider creating more videos as part of phase 3 we’d love to hear your feedback on the videos. Please post your comment on the blog or email me at argy.nestor@maine.gov. Thanks!

See for yourself the following MAAI videos at the Maine ARTSEducation YouTube channel located at http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-lElK9bBU_o96Wrg-kNbeg

• Part I: York High School Music Program with Rob Westerberg, students and colleagues
• Part II: Hancock Grammar School Art Program with Jane Snider, students and colleagues
• Part III: Mount Desert Island High School Art Program with Charlie Johnson, students and colleagues
• Part IV: Biddeford Intermediate School Music Program with Andrea Wollstadt, students and colleagues

You will find other arts education videos on the Maine ARTSEducation channel created by MAAI participants.

What a Day!

York High School

I had the opportunity to travel to York High School yesterday with Debi Lynne Baker for the purpose of “capturing a story”. Debi is a recently retired art teacher from Greenville who presently lives in Shirley.

Rob Westerberg was our host for the day but EVERYONE we met at York High School was gracious and welcoming. York High Schools mission includes: YHS community does whatever it takes to help students succeed. We certainly saw and heard evidence of that belief. I was most impressed with the students who articulated their learning in the fully emerged standards based music classroom. “It is not about the grade but what I am learning!”

Four short movies are being created with footage from four different school districts to tell the story of how they are “doing standards based/students centered learning”. This is in response to requests from arts teachers during phase 1 of the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI): “What does a standards based classroom look like?” The videos will provide you with ideas and how it is working in Maine arts classrooms.

Rob Westerberg and Dan Sovetsky

Rob Westerberg, as many of you know, has been part of the creation of the MAAI and a driving force in the work. In his music classroom he thinks deeply and thoughtfully about how to teach every student but most importantly it is the shift to how the student learns and views their learning. It was evident yesterday in the interviews that the shifts he has made in his teaching approach is really working!

Debi Lynne will continue taping and editing over the next few months and the videos will be available before this school year is completed. Yes, Debi has the difficult part however, with great footage like yesterday, the difficult question will be: what are the best of the greatest parts to include? (A good problem to have).

We did have a chance to visit the visual arts classrooms with teachers Gary Phipps, Beth Nowers, and my former student David Shenett.

Thank you to Rob, York High School principal Bob Stevens, music teacher Dan Sovetsky, and students Cole, Sarah, Levi, Lilly and the Chorus classes who participated.

David Shenett, Beth Nowers, Gary Phipps

York High School Chamber Singers at the Capital

Mr. Westerberg goes to DC for Spring break

Earlier this week during Spring break, music Educator Rob Westerberg took his chamber singers to DC and they performed on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and at Capital in the presence of Senator Susan Collins. In Rob’s words: “It was a beautiful 4 days in many, many ways.” You can see and hear their performance at the Capital on this YouTube video.

Another Arts Teacher’s Story: Rob Westerberg

Featuring one teacher’s journey as an arts educator

This is the first in a series of blog posts telling arts teachers’ stories. This series contains a set of questions to provide the opportunity for you to read their stories and to learn from others. The first one is featuring Rob Westerberg who is one of the recipients of the first presented Carol Trimble Award for outstanding contributions to arts education. If you have questions please don’t hesitate to contact Rob at rwesterberg@yorkschools.org and/or put your comments at the bottom of the post. Please let me know if this series “Another Arts teachers’ story” will be helpful to you by emailing me at argy.nestor@maine.gov.

All-State conference, UMaine, 2010

Rob Westerberg is a High School Choral & General Music teacher who has taught for 24 years, the last 12 at York High School. He averages between 175 and 250 students per year covering several choirs, Vocal Auditions Class, Music History & Music Theory I and II. He is well respected by colleagues in New England for his enthusiasm and commitment to excellence in arts education! He has been a member of the Leadership Team for the Maine Arts Assesment Initiative and a member of the three person team who created the plan for the initiative.

What do you like best about being a music educator?

Waking up every day and being excited about going to work. Really!

Tell me what you think are three keys to ANY successful arts ed program?

1) getting the school and community to “unlearn the irrelevant” about the arts, 2) establishing the arts as “essential” ACADEMIC instruction, 3) building connections with other arts educators outside of your district to invigorate and reinforce your work.

What specific way(s) do your assessment practices tie into the success of your program?

They show the concrete parallels to assessment in other academic areas (reinforcing and demonstrating our academic status), they focus and enhance student achievement, and they help me to continuously evaluate and revise my curriculum and instructional practices.

What have been the benefits in becoming involved in the arts assessment initiative?

I have grown more in the last two years as a professional than the previous ten combined. Every interaction I’ve had with others as a component of the Initiative has driven me to want to be better at what I do, and has provided a foundation on which to build my assessment practices in ways I always wanted to but could never fully wrap my arms around.

What are you most proud of in your career?

Establishing a graduation requirement specifically for music (performing arts) and specifically for art (visual arts) at two of the three schools I have taught at. 100% of our graduates display genuine proficiency in the fundamental MLR standards of both subject areas through rigorous coursework, truly fulfilling a global vision of arts education for all.

What gets in the way of being a better teacher or doing a better job as a teacher?

“Getting SO wrapped up in working through, over or under the various brick walls that always seem to be standing in front of me (in front of ALL of us!!!) that I easily forget how much I love teaching to begin with… and not drawing from that reservoir of passion and excitement more often.”

Apple or PC?

Apple

What have you accomplished through hard work and determination that might otherwise appear at first glance to be due to “luck” or circumstances?

The music resources that we have access to at YHS can often be perceived as being due to being in a “wealthy” community. 75% of those resources (which does not include a functional auditorium) were not around 12 years ago and had to be fought for tooth and nail. We can empathize with anyone’s battle of having to fight for more resources in the arts.

Look into your crystal ball: what advice would you give to teachers?

Connect with other arts educators CONSTANTLY… in your 1st year or 41st year, all the best ideas for building and developing your program are already out there, and it’s your colleagues who have those ideas ready to share with you! Go get them!!!!

If you were given a $500,000.00 to do with whatever you please, what would it be?

I’d pay off my mortgage and then live off of the rest so I could just spend every single day of every single school year visiting arts educators across northern New England and working with them on curriculum and assessment development for their own programs I’d also buy an awful lot of Terra Cotta Butternut Squash Pasta…

York High School music programs webpage: www.yorkschools.org/yhs/music