A new year and a new beginning at TISA By Susan Germann
B
eginnings are an amazing gift. I think of the beginning of a life, a relationship, a superb meal — and my heart sings. Those same feelings creep in for me at the beginning of every school year and I think many educators remain in the profession because a new beginning each August or September is such an exhilarating experience. The past fades away as we look into the shining faces of a new class of expectant children. As Taos Integrated School of the Arts (TISA) begins this 2013-14 school year, it will be with a new director and a few new staff people. I am so excited to be able to work with a staff of teachers who are willing to put their heart and soul into making life challenging and exciting for the learning of themselves and the children. Each school year is an adventure for us at TISA and we pack for the trip by integrating the arts in all that we learn and do. Research has shown a strong connection between art, music, movement, drama and math, reading and writing, and all learning. We will continue to explore various opportunities throughout the year to make that happen for our children, including visits by guest artists such as musicians, dancers, visual artists, weavers and all manner of fabric and thread arts, actors and actresses, architects, photographers, writers, etc. I would also envision introducing our children to the various careers tied around all the arts. One of TISA’s teachers received a gardening grant for this year, which will give us an opportunity to branch out in another direction. Some of the children will also be able to experience outdoor education through a specific curriculum geared to learning outside. Many of our students will also participate on Mondays in the winter skiing program
40
Tina Larkin
Taos Integrated School of Arts director Susan Germann meeting with students last May. As a director, new to charter schools, I am excited about all I have to learn. Having been a director of a public K-12 magnet school with a technology focus manifested through constructivist learning I can recall many experiences that will benefit TISA. You won’t see worksheets at TISA, but rather children involved in authentic projects, collaboration and experiences tailored to their needs. I’m planning for us to build strong cross-age relationships through activities such as creative problem solving, critical thinking tasks and a school-wide field day where children participate in their K-8 teams. One challenge at TISA, a K-8 school, is the fact of the children being in two locations. Challenges are typically great opportunities for creative problem solving and learning new things about ourselves. One thing we’ll work on is making “roads” scholars of our students so that we can participate all together in some cross-age grouped activities. I always told the older students on my K-12 campus that if they were choosing to attend a school with
younger students, then they would be the role models and I would hold them to that standard in every single aspect of their day. I was never disappointed — they always stepped up and met my expectations. I will hold this expectation for TISA students in our school and in our community. Finally, we have state tests to pass. This is a reality throughout New Mexico and in many other states. Unfortunately, some who sit in offices and write tests do not take local challenges into consideration. That can never be an excuse for educators though. A very effective educator and writer, Arthur Costa, wrote a book called, “The School as a Home for the Mind.” I have read and re-read this book many times over the years and know that wherever this idea of the schoolhouse being a place for thinking is planted and blooms, children will flourish. If we provide the correct balance of compassion and challenge — with common sense being the middle — our children will become educated, productive, thriving citizens – well equipped to contribute to our incredible democracy.
t a o s ne w s . c om / bt s
n
2013