Spotlight 

In a recent interview with MAAE Executive Director, Phyllis Pasley, Michael had this to say:

QUESTIONS

E.D. -"What are some favored ways of spending spare time?"

Dove -  I enjoy live jazz performances at our local venues, learning new technologies and computer programming, spending time with my wife whenever I can with our busy schedules.

E.D. -"What achievement in your life has given you the greatest satisfaction?"

Dove - Marrying Michelle and raising David and John

E.D.-"What achievement in your career has given you the greatest satisfaction?"

Dove -  Earning my PhD at the University of Kansas. Those were some of the best years of my life.

E.D.-"What brought you into MAAE?"

Dove - While I was teaching at the college level, a band director friend asked me to attend a board meeting with him as a guest. Since I am very passionate about arts education I was thrilled to meet other educators with the same passion. Bob Gifford was the president at the time and MAAE was meeting at Panera Bread Co. in Jefferson City. I was invited to come back and became an at-large member. Later I decided to take an elementary general music position at Shook Elementary in Marshfield and MAAE asked me to represent the voice of elementary music teachers. Eventually I became the secretary for the organization and have continued in that role.

E.D.-"In your tenure with MAAE, tell us what educational issue that MAAE  has addressed that you believe was most beneficial to Missouri's arts ed community?"

Dove - When any organization is in its infancy, the struggle is to make connections with the right people in order to have any influence over policy. I believe the most important thing that has happened since I have been with the organization is what we have done (especially the executive director and our lobbyist) to be present at every state board of education meeting and to attend every conference of the Missouri arts organizations. We are now a known entity with almost all of the major players. This enabled us to quickly create a unified response during the COVID-19 crises. It has allowed us to organize several important committees under our new Executive Director that have the potential to have major influence on early childhood arts education and cultural sensitivity.

E.D.-"What do you see as pivotal issues to be addressed moving forward?"

Dove - I believe the philosophical changes that have been introduced in MSIP 6 are very important to address. If DESE is no longer going to require minutes for content areas and are moving towards competencies, then MAAE has an important job on two fronts. We must inform and educate all of the arts educators in the state about the change and how to think in the competencies approach. We must also make sure that the State Board of Education, DESE and local Superintendents understand what the required arts competencies are and make sure that they are met.