2009 Leadership Academy: Focus on Leadership
(Click on photo for larger view) 2009 Leadership Academy: Focus on Leadership
by Elizabeth Kripp, Program Associate, AEC
A group of strangers, all arts educators, assembled at the Society for Contemporary Craft on July 27th. Each came with a list of high expectations about the Arts Education Collaborative’s Leadership Academy.
These expectations included a hope that the experience would strengthen their work in promoting, growing and improving the arts education at their schools and cultural arts organizations. Some emphasized a desire for networking and collaboration opportunities. Others anticipated a revitalized ability to rethink the arts programming at their workplaces. All were focused on student learning.
Throughout the intense week, Katie Barnard (Westmoreland Museum of Art), Amanda Bashioum (Charleroi Area SD), Ashley Biega (Blackhawk SD), Michael Bockoven (North Allegheny SD), Jara Dorsey (Carnegie Museum of Art), Stephen Ehrlich (East Allegheny SD), Donna Fox (Peters Township SD), Lisa Griffin (Moon Area SD), Daniel Kovacic (Brownsville Area SD), Jodi McKeever (Mt Lebanon SD), Susan Metelsky (Beaver Area SD), and Rich Taylor (Gateway SD) talked, reflected, listened and learned together. Each brought a unique set of professional knowledge and experience that collectively formed a stimulating setting where participants could examine how they could make a real difference for their students. All participants could then begin to translate their goals into individual action plans.
Fueling these powerful sessions was the “Teacher as Artist “component that gave everyone an opportunity to focus on art making. Visual Art, Music, Theater and Dance are central to the lives of each of these educators and that work often gets pushed to the sidelines as they focus on their students. But this is not the case at the Leadership Academy. As one LA member remarked, “I feel like I’ve returned to the “roots” of what gives inspiration and motivation.” Daily connections to the arts allowed each participant a chance to experience his or her own art as well as to explore an unfamiliar discipline.
The work begun this summer will continue throughout the year. Four follow up seminars are scheduled where LA members will join their peers to discuss action plan progress as well as build upon their skills and knowledge in identified areas of need. Along the way, a network of support is provided that will equip each member with the tools to maneuver through the challenges of their work as well as to recognize and celebrate successes.
The AEC will continue to work along with these educators all year to fulfill those expectations. We welcome the opportunity to work with this very committed group of individuals who now share a common bond. If you would like to learn more about AEC's Leadership Academy, click here.
