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You've done shows revolving around education, including today's show on art and how cuts in funding have impacted different programs around the state.  What about doing a show focused on how the community has stepped-up (and can step-up) to fill those gaps?  They say it takes a village and there are doable ways that the community can participate.

As the Art Literacy Program Manager for Hayhurst Elementary, I train parents to teach art in the classrooms.  The Art Literacy program is utilized in many schools within PPSD and LO school district.  We work with the curriculum to pick well-known artists each year, we bring in the supplies (funded by the PTA), and we gather and train parent-teachers.  It provides the students art opportunities, the teachers are provided with the materials, and the parents can experience the joy in seeing the kids in action while teaching.  It is a win-win-win situation.

Laura Taylor (laura_d_taylor@integra.net)

Kindergarten parent and Art Literacy Program Manager, Hayhurst Elementary Odyssey Program, Portland Public School District 

posted 2 years, 11 months ago
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After years of drastic cuts in funding, parents throughout Portland Public and Lake Oswego School Districts began the "Art Literacy Program", an arts education program developed and taught by parents.

How it works...the program manager(s) for each school creates art lessons and then provides all of the necessary supplies for the projects.  There are lessons/kits (created in previous school years) that can be utilized that are stored at several of the local schools or new lessons can be created to fit the curriculum at the particular school.  Our school PTA has a small budget to cover supply costs for our students.

All that is required of parents is to show up for an hour training by the program manager to experience how the children will be taught, and then lead the art lesson in the classroom as a parent-teacher.  The program provides the kids an opportunity to experience art and learn about a variety of artists, and parents can see their child (and their classmates) come alive through art. 

With all the necessary testing, rules and regulations that come with school, the Art Literacy Program provides a vital component in a child's personal growth--enabling them to learn how to "think outside the box" and the freedom to create.  The children always smile when I cheerfully pronounce, "There are no rules!" 

Feel free to contact me with any questions about the program,

Laura Taylor

Art Literacy Program Manager, Odyssey Program, Hayhurst Elementary, PPSD

posted 2 years, 11 months ago
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While interviewing for jobs fresh out of college, I was invited to a final interview at a Dim Sum restaurant. Trying to appear flexible and open, I told the president of the company, with whom I was lunching with, that I was open to trying anything. He ordered chicken feet and watched for my reaction the entire meal. I ate them while quietly struggling with my gag reflex, slowly pulling the meat off the bony toes.

posted 5 years, 2 months ago
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