Teacher Appreciation Begins With Listening
Teacher Appreciation Week is a national holiday celebrated in the United States which takes place in the first full week of May each year. Political and educational leaders began discussions for a day to honor teachers in 1944. In 1953, Eleanor Roosevelt persuaded the 81st Congress to proclaim National Teachers' Day. Congress declared March 7, 1980, as National Teacher Day. The National Education Association continued to observe National Teacher Day on the first Tuesday in March until 1985. The National PTA established Teacher Appreciation Week as the first full week of May when the NEA Representative Assembly voted to make the Tuesday of that week National Teacher Day.
Educators serve a crucial function in nurturing and preparing our youth to become the future leaders of our nation. These compassionate, resilient, diligent, committed, and empathetic professionals contribute significantly to the development of our children, steering them toward positive pathways. Throughout the school year, we rely on teachers to guide and mentor our children, recognizing their pivotal role in their daily lives.
Regardless of our life stage, educators have left an indelible mark on us, continuing to influence us each day. When encountering individuals with a diverse range of skills and talents, it's often traceable back to the guidance of a teacher. Every aspiring entrepreneur, physician, engineer, or caregiver can point to a teacher who inspired their journey.
One of the best ways to show that we appreciate them is to LISTEN to them! We should actively seek their ideas, suggestions, and insights on a regular basis. Don't get me wrong - the gift cards, sub sandwich lunch, and other goodies during the week are welcomed, yet it is important to recognize that one of the greatest gifts we can give anyone is our attention and time.
Thank you teachers for ALL that you do. Very little of your work can be summarized by a number or letter. Your impact lives on in the lives of your learners forever. We are grateful for your dedication, passion and service.
Chris
Wisconsin Dance Education Summit A Success
The Wisconsin Dance Education Summit took place on Monday, April 29 on Zoom. We had a great event filled with current information about dance education in Wisconsin and across the country. Our time also included discussion about current challenges in dance education but also about future possibilities. Many thanks to those who attended and spoke so passionately about the value of dance education.
Many thanks to Dr. Chell Parkins, Dr. Dale Schmid, and Dr. Julie Palkowski for presenting and facilitating last night's summit. Here are some links shared from last night's summit including the recording.
GREAT Article about Dr. Chell Parkins "Dance is dwindling in Wisconsin’s public schools. Chell Parkins is trying to fix that."
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is proud to announce a new project that will annually collect high quality digital images of student artwork from across the state. The images will be printed, framed, and hung in the new home for DPI in the Tommy G Thompson Center near the capitol building in Madison for one year beginning the summer of 2024. In addition, the artwork will also be displayed on the Arts & Creativity page of the DPI Website.
Quick Overview:
- Entries are open to all K-12 aged students in Wisconsin.
- Each Wisconsin art educator can submit up to 5 works of art from their school’s current work.
- Submission of the student art is done 100% digitally via the project Google Form.
- To be considered for this year, artwork and accompanying information must be submitted no later than May 15, 2024.
- Project Details and the Submission Form can at the button below!
Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra’s (WYSO) new 40,085 SF rehearsal and performance space serves not only as an iconic cultural gem for the city of Madison but a cutting-edge educational facility for young budding musicians. The building features three state-of-the-art rehearsal halls, eight studios, nine practice rooms, administrative offices, and a music library.
New mural at Oshkosh elementary school celebrates student diversity and pride
A new mural is on display at an elementary school in Oshkosh. Read Elementary School is now home to a brand new mural. The mural is part of a larger project revitalizing the playground and spaces around the elementary school.
Wisconsin schools to add ‘fab lab’ to elementary kid schedules to create more young innovators
For some kids, the best part about school is when you get to be creative. Now, Wisconsin wants to make sure those kids who are creative get to expand that skill. Mosinee Elementary is one of 18 schools that has been awarded a $25,000 grant to create a fab lab. A fab lab stands for fabrication laboratory. For the Mosinee School District, it’s about starting them young. In class, kids are making things with Play-Doh®, building things with blocks, drawing, and more.
With this new fab lab, they can experiment even more with their creations.
“To use their imagination and really develop the skill set to find their voice to create, so this is really an opportunity to really get involved with their education,” Mosinee School District Interim Superintendent Robert Way said.
MPS referendum helps support Biennial Music Festival for students
About 3,500 students of all ages from across the district will take part in the Biennial Music Festival at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panther Arena starting on May 1.
Art Happens Here with John Lithgow
Join actor John Lithgow as he goes back to school to demonstrate the transformative power of arts education. Immersing himself with teachers and students, he explores four arts disciplines: dance, ceramics, silk-screen printing and vocal jazz ensemble. The program celebrates how arts education nurtures and inspires the hearts and minds of of students of all ages.
Art Contest Opportunity For Wisconsin Public School Students
Whimsical Wonder is the theme of the ninth annual student art contest sponsored by WEA Member Benefits and the WEA Member Benefits Foundation, Inc.
Young artists are encouraged to think outside the box and embrace the theme in their unique and imaginative ways.
Riley Saenim is 2024’s Wisconsin Poetry Out Loud Champion
On March 9th, Riley Saenim won the statewide Wisconsin Poetry Out Loud (POL) Competition held at the MYArts stage in Madison, WI. Saenim, a sophomore at Racine's The Prairie School, advanced to the Finals from the WI Southeast Regional competition.
Saenim's coach, Matt Peterson, said the private school placed special emphasis on poetry in English classes. In the winning recitations, Riley presented “Vixen" by WS Merwin, “Thoughtless Cruelty" by Charles Lamb, and “Among Women" by Marie Ponsot.
The Wisconsin Arts Board extends its congratulations to them and to State Runner-up Nyimah Zavaleta, also a sophomore at The Prairie School, who was coached by Mr. Peterson.
Sign Song Dancers raise awareness about Deaf community
A student group is working to raise awareness around the Deaf community--through dance. The Sign Song Dancers is a performance group that includes Deaf and hard-of-hearing students from the Wisconsin School for the Deaf.
Southern Door, Luxemburg-Casco high school students earn recognition for musical theater productions
Area high school students were among the recognition recipients of the 2023-24 Center Stage High School Musical Program that were announced Tuesday. A team of trained adjudicators attended each participating school’s musical production and provided educational feedback. Scores for each production were compiled and applications reviewed to determine the recipients.
Northeast Wisconsin music students preparing for professional concert with indie folk band
Three area school districts have joined forces with the Kaboom Collective to grow their musical talent and knowledge of the music business. More than 40 students from the Appleton Area School District, Howard-Suamico School District and Green Bay Area Public Schools are participating.
New DPI report shows Wisconsin’s education workforce is in crisis
A new report released today by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction found Wisconsin educators continue to leave the state’s workforce at an alarming rate, and that educator compensation has decreased nearly 20 percent over the past 12 years when held constant in 2022 dollars.
The DPI’s 2022 Educator Preparation Program and Workforce Analysis Report, which analyzes data from the 2021-22 school year, found the state’s education workforce challenges are largely driven by teacher retention in two key areas: when an aspiring teacher completes their program, and during the first few years in the profession. When holding dollars constant, there was a 19 percent decrease in compensation since 2010.
“This report shows what we’ve known for some time now: Our education workforce is in crisis,” State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly said. “Wisconsin’s kids are suffering from losing quality teachers. Solving this challenge starts with upholding the state’s responsibility of funding our public schools. We have the resources, and we owe it to our kids to do more.”
Dr. Underly and other education leaders will address the report in a news conference at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 11. A livestream of the news conference is available on Wisconsin Eye.
According to the DPI’s analysis, about four out of every 10 first-year teachers either leave the state or the profession altogether after just six years (39.4 percent of new teachers), and only 68 percent of aspiring educators who complete an education preparation program were ultimately employed in a Wisconsin public school. Based on the DPI’s licensure data, the subject area with the worst shortage area remains special education.
Students across Wisconsin traveled to Green Bay for the Wisconsin Destination Imagination Affiliate Tournament
Students gathered at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay campus Saturday for the Wisconsin Destination Imagination Affiliate Tournament (WIDI). Students ages 5 to 18 participate in the Destination Imagination Challenge Experience which includes six competitive Team Challenges that are rooted in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) concepts. “We all came together with our team and brainstormed ideas to think ‘How could we make this funny,’ so that people will be interested,” explained Little Chute Area School District student, Ronald Gomm.
First Nations Studies 2023-2024 Webinar Lecture Series: Haudenosaunee Art - What Can We Learn?
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) - American Indian Studies Program in partnership with CESA 12 is offering a unique opportunity to participate in a series of webinars to continue your journey of personal and professional development around First Nations Studies.
Date and Time: Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - 4:30pm -6:00pm | Zoom Video Conference Opens at 4:00pm (Pre-registration Required)
Presenter: Karen Ann Hoffman (Oneida Nation), Artist
Title: Haudenosaunee Art - What Can We Learn?
Description: Karen Ann Hoffman believes in the power of Art. She have witnessed the power of Native Arts in particular. The power to remember and to look forward. The power to stare deeply into wounds and make spaces for conversation and healing. She believes in Native Art.
Join her for a conversation about the long history, bright future and contemporary impact of Haudenosaunee art. Bring your questions. Let’s learn from one another.
First Nations Studies 2023-2024 Webinar Lecture Series: Songs, Stories, & Lessons Of The Black Wolf
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) - American Indian Studies Program in partnership with CESA 12 is offering a unique opportunity to participate in a series of webinars to continue your journey of personal and professional development around First Nations Studies.
Date and Time: Wednesday, June 12, 2024 - 4:30pm -6:00pm | Zoom Video Conference Opens at 4:00pm (Pre-registration Required)
Presenter: Wade Fernandez / Wicīwen Apīs-Mahwaew or Black Wolf (Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin), Musical Artist, Educator
Title: Songs, Stories, & Lessons Of The Black Wolf
Description: Join us as Wade Fernandez / Wicīwen Apīs-Mahwaew or Black Wolf willsession will address life lessons and stories learned from Menominee musician and educator, whose career continually takes him internationally from classrooms to concert halls to homes. There will be an emphasis on healing, sharing our gifts freely, and how to influence our students to do the same. The session will also include the creation of a song with participants.
Small, Rural School Achievement Program
Applications are open for the Small, Rural School Achievement Program from the U.S. Department of Education. The program funds grants on a formula basis to eligible local educational agencies to address the unique needs of rural school districts.
Applications are due May 10.
Rubric for Evaluating AI Tools for Schools
Rubric for Evaluating AI Tools for Schools - Resource Link
- With so many AI tools available it can be a challenge to know which ones are right for your school.
- To help with this I have created a "Rubric for Evaluating AI Tools in Education" which covers 18 essential criteria for assessing these products.
- The rubric is freely available for anyone to use or modify as needed.
What’s New in Arts Education Policy?
We hope the anticipation has subsided as this year’s updates to the ArtScan database have finally been released! ArtScan is a comparison of 13 arts education policy areas across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity. The annual update to this database is made possible in collaboration with the State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education (SEADAE) and Education Commission of the States (ECS), who offer critical feedback and support with review to ensure the arts education policies we capture are relevant and accurate.
The Arts Educator Workforce
Addressing the arts educator workforce requires an acknowledgement of the multifaceted challenges that are tethered to it, such as turnover, accessibility and funding. This year, the Arts Education Partnership (AEP) began collecting information on improving the preparation, recruitment, development and retention of arts educators in hard to staff schools and areas experiencing teacher shortages. This project will be focusing on information that could be promising for the states identified by the U.S. Department of Education as arts teacher shortage states.
Chromebook Accessibility Tools Webinar
Chromebook Accessibility Tools Webinar - Resource Link
- Free webinar, this time on the topic of "Chromebook Accessibility Tools"
- The webinar will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 from Noon to 1pm ET.
- You can get all of the details and registration in the link above.
Week of AI
- This is a week of free AI professional development from a wide range of amazing educators all on the topic of AI in education.
- Get all the details at https://www.weekofai.ai/
- And register here https://bit.ly/weekofai2024
Hey Theatre Educators!
UW Madison's Fourth Annual Technical Theater for Performing Arts Teachers classes this year are Audio, Rigging and Props. Classes are all online - more details here: https://www.theaterhealthandsafety.com/uw-madison Kristi Ross-Clausen is the new Director of Education for ModTruss. She has use of a training space just off Hwy 41 about mid-way between Fond du Lac and Milwaukee. She is looking to host in-person training there as well as being able to go around the state. If you are looking for someone for in-service workshops, please let her know.
El Sistema National Symposium
The El Sistema National Symposium, presented by El Sistema USA® in collaboration with the Indianapolis Center for Arts Education and Innovation at Butler University, invites you to join them June 13-15 in Indianapolis. This year's symposium will feature sessions for teaching artists and administrators under the theme "Inspire, Connect, Transform."
WISDAA (WI Interscholastic Speech & Dramatic Arts Association)
Dear Educator:
We hope this message finds you well as we round our way on the homestretch of the school year. We are reaching out to folks who have participated or been interested in our film festival in the past. We are in our final pilot "proof of concept" year of running this as an online event. If you've had students prepare short films this year (either as part of a course or club), they are welcome to enter them in our festival. We have several categories of submission listed here, as well as a link to complete rules and to register online.
All students entered as contributors to a film must meet school interscholastic eligibility guidelines (same as athletics, music solo/ensemble, or forensics/speech). However, all those students will receive a "medal" based on how their film rates, and your school will earn a plaque commemorating achievement and participation in the event. A school may submit any number of short films; each carries just a $20 entry fee, though we do ask each faculty/staff sponsor to evaluate some other schools' submissions, or to pay an additional fee, which we will use to pay someone else we hire to adjudicate/judge.
Even if you do not have films to submit this year, if you're interested in viewing this year's submissions, please reply to this message, so I can send you a link and notification when they're ready.
Most warmly,
Adam
WSMA (WI School Music Association)
State Solo Ensemble Weekend Number 2 Approaching!
General Information
FAQ’s about WSMA State Solo & Ensemble Festivals
State Festival Exemplary Performance Recognition Project
2024 State Solo & Ensemble Festival Dates
Saturday
May 4, 2024
• Carroll University
• UW-Eau Claire
• UW-Green Bay
• UW-La Crosse
• UW-Stevens Point
WMEA (WI Music Educators Association)
CMP Summer Workshop!
Created and taught by real teachers, this is the authentic professional development experience that will really transform your work. Come experience the energy and excitement of creative, passionate K-12 music teachers, new and veteran, instrumental, general and vocal all in one place.
Watch demonstration classes taught by master teachers
Think about how this model will fit with your particular style and students.
Discuss ideas, ask questions and hear from others all around the country in small group settings.
Create a teaching plan that you can really use.
- A natural fit for professional goals.
- Current educational initiatives are examined from a CMP perspective.
- A perfect mix of inspiring and practical.
Times: Monday, June 24 – Thursday, June 27: 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. and Friday, June 28: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (specific times to be shared mid-June)
Location: UW-Eau Claire’s Haas Fine Arts Center, 121 Water Street, Eau Claire, WI 54701-4002
WAEA (WI Art Education Association)
Visoneers Challenge a Huge Success!
The Visioneer Design Challenge is a unique, one-of-a kind, statewide learning program and competition for middle school and high school students interested in design arts and connecting with professional designers. This year's event took place at UW-Milwaukee on Friday, April 26. Challenges have been developed by professional designers who currently work and have careers in design fields. These challenges cover design in everyday things, design of spaces and places, design for communication and information and design for human interaction. This program may connect directly to your school district’s goal of preparing students for post-secondary readiness. Some examples of design areas since the program’s launch have included: Architecture, Animation, Audio Engineering, Digital Photography, Exhibit Design, Fashion Marketing, Game Design, Graphic Design, Illustration, Interior Design, Point-of-Purchase Design, Product Design, Urban Planning, Video Production and Web Design.
Congratulations to all of the students who were involved!
WDC (WI Dance Council)
Gain valuable knowledge on tap dance with Katherine Kramer, a fantastic instructor who studied with tap legend Ralph Brown
Find the link in our bio or go to www.KatherineKramerProjects.org to register!
AWTE (Alliance for Wisconsin Theatre Education)
Wondering what theatre events are taking place across Wisconsin? Check out the "Events" page on the AWTE website! Also, take a look at the resources page full of great links!
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Chris Gleason
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
This publication and previous issues are available from: Division of Academic Excellence> Teaching and Learning Team> Arts and Creativity. https://dpi.wi.gov/fine-arts/newsletter
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, creed, age, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, marital status or parental status, sexual orientation, or ability.
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Email: christopher.gleason@dpi.wi.gov
Website: https://dpi.wi.gov/fine-arts
Location: 125 South Webster Street, Madison, WI, USA
Phone: 608-264-9554