Toby Smith, Director of Business Development in Latina America, contacted me to set up a meeting with Rebecca Simpson, Daniel Marines and Marco Lagarda to inform the about the Wenger products that are on the market.

The main purpose of his visit is provide solutions on how to improve our performance and rehearsal spaces. Toby can also provide a sound analysis of our spaces, free of cost, and suggest products that will maximize their acoustic potential.

These improvements will have a positive impact to the performing classes and to the WellBeing department that was built next to the Band and Choir rooms.

I also showed Toby the Recording Rooms in the Library. These rooms have white noise from the air vents and the doors that interfere with the recordings. I spoke to Jose Alvarez and gave him Toby's information so that they can work together in the future.

I created this spreadsheet as a way to keep track of the activities and extracurriculars that the Fine Arts teachers have led since 2015. I have added a tab for every year since and the growth in student participation and events supported by teachers has grown exponentially from five years ago to today.

This is an live document that is always being updated with every event that we participate in as a department.

I am applying for the Head of Fine Arts position. I believe there are areas in our department where we can grow and support our students to flourish in the Arts.

Describe any leadership and/or supervisory experience you have had.

Before I left ASFM a few years ago to open my own art studio I was Head of Fine Arts for two years. During this time I got to work with all the different teachers in the department. This gave me the opportunity to begin to understand how diverse we are. Every one is passionate about our classes and work really hard to transfer that passion to our students.

As Department Head I took it upon myself to be present at every Fine Arts event we had in school. I wanted my department to feel supported in all of their efforts. Obviously, things have changed since then for me, I am now married and have two girls. I don’t know if I would be able to do this again, but if given the opportunity, I will try to be as available and supportive of anything Fine Arts related as I can.

I am aware that the role of Department Head has changed in the past years where the role of “supervisor” has been included into the job description. I believe that in order to supervise I first need to understand and learn what it is that each teacher is trying to achieve. Hopefully I can help guide them to be successful in their pursuits.

Describe your influence on others’ actions for positive school-wide/grade level/department improvement.

Besides teaching art I have worked on the research and implementation of the middle school advisory program. Research shows how the advisory program has helped students be more successful in school. The main idea behind this program is to create a sense of belonging and of being known in the school. With the help of the grade level advisory leaders, the program has grown, as is something that most students and teachers look forward to. This falls into the positive school wide category.

Because of my schedule, it is not possible for me to attend the grade level meetings. However, I read the meeting minutes and emails that are sent out and when possible I help out with what I can. For example, at the beginning of the year, 6^th grade was distributing laptops on Monday for the first time and Juanjo asked if any available teachers could be at the B wing hallway to help with hallway duty. This is just one example of how I try as much as possible to support grade level initiatives and/or events.

In my department I take charge of painting the set for the musicals and/or other plays that might need some painting or art piece. I also believe that we need to work closely with each other, with all of differences included, so that we have a clear vision of where we want the Fine Arts Department to move and grow. We were given partial pullouts last year but they were not enough to even scratch the surface and create the changes we have been talking about: offer new classes; create differentiated level classes in the same grade level; re-design the HS classes so that they change from “exploratory” to Honors and AP level; having a K-12 FA pullout to create a real scope and sequence of our classes, etc. Overall, I believe that as teachers we need to help and support each other. This creates a positive climate where people want to work and be a part of.

How do you stay current in your professional practice?

In the past two years I have attended two AP workshops, for 2D and 3D design. Having the opportunity to talk to other teachers who are currently in the same position as me is very eye opening and assuring that I am on the right path to helping my students grow and show their full potential.

I believe that in order to guide my students and be able to “hear their voice” as artists I need to be up to date on current styles and ideas. I look around town for new exhibits in museums and galleries. Looking at contemporary or past artwork is always and educational experience. It’s important to stay up to date on what is being shown and created. Our Library has subscriptions to several art magazines like Art in America and Jose is very gracious and saves them for my students to be used in my classes later.

In what ways do you contribute to the profession? (i.e., publish articles, share action research, present a conferences, etc.)

The past school year, with Mary and Mel, we applied to present at the Tri-Association and also the AMLE Conference happening this year. Our topic was focused on Why advisory is a valuable tool in every middle school worldwide. We were not chosen to present on either of them but what I find valuable was the experience of going through the process and having to defend and explain why what we do is successful, important and relevant in our school and with our students.

A few months ago we had a PD session about PLC’s. I have joined forces with Dee, Rebecca, Daniel and Adeel. Our focus is the elective classes. We are going to look into what we offer and analyze its effectiveness and relevance. This of course has a tie in with scheduling so later on in the year we are going to get together with the scheduling PLC’s to see where they are and how we can work side by side. Hopefully we will be able to create changes that have a positive effect on our students.

List any department/grade level challenges or opportunities you anticipate addressing.

One of the biggest challenges in my department is in its diversity. I have to remember that I am only an expert in my area and to be able to understand and help my colleagues I need to listen to their needs and their reasons; they are the experts in their field.

The major event that we have as a department is the musical. We all chip in and help with many areas of this production and every year we have a very successful show. However, I personally feel that musical aside, we are all working in our own classrooms and forgot that we are a team. It doesn’t feel cohesive or team like. I hope that I can create and ambiance of support and collegial-ness starts to take place.