My Story

I continually connect people with others with hopes of raising each person's voice to make the world a better place.

The years have flown by since I accepted my first teaching position in 1976 as an Arts Resource Teacher. I taught 750 students in grades K-8. It was an experience I'll never forget since it was instrumental in how I continue to approach teaching and learning. I believe that every child should have access to an excellent arts education taught by teachers qualified to teach arts education. I committed to a unique teaching position, but didn't know it at the time. Without a set schedule I met bi-weekly with classroom teachers to co-design lessons that enriched both the art curriculum and other content subjects. For example, grade six students studied Europe in Social Studies and in art they studied architecture and created replicas of well known buildings in European countries. My initial teaching experiences grew and I learned over the next four years what I really believed was most important for students.

I carried the lessons learned with me to my next teaching position and with a team of teachers we worked to transition a traditional junior high school to a middle school. The integrated curriculum idea grew and flourished and art was often at the heart of curriculum units. Walls between subjects often melted away and the energy was contagious resulting in teaching and learning that was integrative, challenging, and creative. Our team took our ideas on the road and shared at regional and state conferences.

I knew I was having fun but I didn't realize how fortunate I was until I was named the 1995 Maine Teacher of the Year. The opportunity to share the enthusiasm and philosophy of a path of teaching and learning was exciting. I was so proud to represent my school community and did my best to take my students, colleagues, and community along for the journey. I was encouraged and supported to develop my leadership skills beyond my school. During that year I represented teachers at the state and national level and was surprised that once the year was over, that the opportunities continued.

In 2006 the Visual and Performing Arts Specialist position at the Maine Department of Education (MDOE) was posted for the first time in ten years and after much soul searching I applied and was surprised to be offered the position. I made a promise to myself that I would ALWAYS make decisions and contributions based on what was in the best interest of every learner and NEVER lose sight of the classroom and the needs of teachers.

In my first three years at MDOE I learned so much by visiting almost 400 Maine arts classrooms in 40 school districts. My actions and contributions were based on what I heard and learned. I kept true to my word and worked collaboratively to create the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) based on the needs of teachers and Maine arts education. The idea was to provide outstanding professional development to Maine arts teachers in Assessment, Leadership, Technology, and Creativity. The collaborative leadership team planned summer professional development and the first cohort included 18 impressive Maine visual and performing arts teachers. They each took on leadership roles throughout the state. After four years assessment practices had shifted in Maine arts classrooms and MAAI became the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI). In the meantime, I established a list-serv (with 250 educators) and sent a weekly newsletter connecting the work at the MDOE to the classroom. Over the next 13 years the list-serv grew to over 1200 educators. And, the newsletter turned into a blog, originally called Argy's View of the State House Dome, with posts made daily with over a thousand followers.

In 2013 I moved to the Maine Arts Commission (MAC) as the director of arts education and was able to shift MALI and the blog as well. MALI expanded to include teaching artists who were interested in taking on leadership roles. To have PK-12 arts teachers and teaching artists at the same table opened up opportunities for communication and collaboration that didn't exist earlier. The initiative information was shared throughout the country at national conferences and education gatherings.

I was excited to connect with educators and organizations in Maine collaborating on projects and supporting work in many areas of education. In 2019 when I left state work MALI had 107 teacher and teaching artists leaders. I am so proud of the work that continues today. Maine Arts Educators are at the heart of schools and in many cases, against huge challenges, are at the table doing amazing work.

In 2019 I returned to a school for two years, this time a small independent school. I was invited to help support the establishment of the middle school, building on a six year old elementary school embedded in arts integration. Once again I found myself in the classroom while supporting the education of middle schoolers, their parents, and teachers.

In 2016 I traveled with a colleague to Malawi to provide arts integration workshops in a small village called Mpamila in the district of Nitischi. I learned about a different culture and was challenged to understand 'education' through a totally different lens. What a gift and a pleasure to continue supporting the teachers from a distance as a follow up. With my local community we sewed 500 pairs of pants and dresses for the children in the village. The work was recognized by HundrED and I was selected as an Ambassador, attending two summits in Helsinki, Finland in November of 2018 and 2019. The chance to meet educators doing work that impacts millions of children throughout the world was humbling. My eyes were opened.

During the last year I have been earnestly making art and growing as an artist. I'm stretching and finding joy in the challenges and successes. I apply my life long learned skills of fabrics, paints, photography, and a variety of other media. In addition, I own the blog established in 2009, now called Argy's Point of View, where I am sharing educational stories, resources, and opportunities. I support Maine educators on several projects as well as educators from other parts of the world through my work with HundrED. I find joy in supporting and encouraging educators in their day to day work during this challenging time. I volunteer in my community and substitute in the local school district. My favorite work (and play) is being able to collaborate with others for a common cause. I love spending time outside, walking in the woods, looking at 'stuff' up close; winter is my favorite season. The other 3 seasons are enjoyable in my boats on the water. I appreciate the time for self care, yoga and taiji. I look forward to traveling again in the near future and grateful be able to do so.

Periodically, I stop and reflect on my journey and know how fortunate I am to have had amazing mentors and colleagues who have guided me along my path. My parents instilled in me that anything is possible. They were both great examples of giving of themselves and serving community. I am so grateful for friends and family, for the love and support they've provided. I jump into each day with enthusiasm and live each day to the fullest with love in my heart.

RESUME