New Hampshire Principals and the Arts
arts-supportive principals answer arts education queries
Define "arts." Why have the arts in your school?
The arts represent personal expression through art, music, performances, movement. The arts is education!
Rose L. Colby
Mountain View Middle School, Goffstown
Arts include fine and performing arts, drama and dance. The arts are an essential part of a well-rounded education.
George Edwards
Bow High School, Bow
Any course, activity or program that exposes students to any form of culture, which will eventually enhance/improve their own lives.
John Graziano
Pembroke Academy, Pembroke
The "arts" include all of the fine arts and cultural arts which intersect with school life and life itself. They represent areas of expression and competence which Howard Gardner refers to in his work. The "arts" represent a world of possibility for all and they express the life of a culture.
Dennis Harrington
Moharimet School, Madbury
Those activities that challenge, enrich, and inspire students through acting, drawing, painting . . .creating expressions of each student. Arts can only expand what education does and provide an additional opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Timothy Rice
Memorial Middle School, Laconia
The "arts" promote higher order thinking and benefit all learners.
Michael Tocci
Gilford Elementary School
A. Learning about cultural activities in order to have a broader perspective about the more esoteric aspects of being human and the pleasures to be found in expressing feelings through a variety of media.
B. For emotionally handicapped students it also presents an opportunity for expressive outlets that may have therapeutic benefit.
C. Tied in with history/economics/etc., provides a broader view of human events.
Tom Watman
Pangburn School at Spaulding Youth Center, Tilton
Define the arts education philosophy/philosophies practiced in your school.
Our philosophy is to involve all 1200 students for a five-year program in the arts using a multi-dimensional approach. We emphasize the arts in our academic presentations also. -- RC
We believe that all students should have an arts experience in high school - therefore the arts are integrated into every student's educational program at BHS. -- GE
To recognize that each and every child learns differently, and "the arts" help each child demonstrate what they know and are able to do by using learning styles that are unique to them as individuals. -- JG
We have a philosophy of individualized instruction which we have been working towards since 1969 when the educators and parents in the district recognized the limitations of lock-step curriculum. -- DH
We try to give students alternate avenues of expression: some students need to do things with their voices, their bodies, their hands - another source of inspiration. -- TR
The "arts" are embraced in all curricula areas to promote learning through creativity and imagination. -- MT
Art as therapy * Art as play * Art as something that is important as well as jobs/money/etc. * Hands-on experience * Arts History * Career exploration. -- TW
Do you believe a background in the arts, or a commitment to the arts, makes you a better administrator?
Yes, I believe both statements are true. -- RC
Yes. -- GE
Most definitely! It forces you to look at kids and programs in a wholistic manner, and to understand that it is as important as all other academic areas. Please notice that I said "the arts" were academic. -- JG
I am first an educator and second, an administrator. Part of what I administrate is an assurance that the "arts" play a major role in school life. My background is basically a lifelong commitment to exploring all of life. -- DH
Yes absolutely -- my father is a jazz musician: at age 76 he is still performs several nights per week. -- TR
I'd like to think so! -- MT
NOT really. It's just one of the many factors/experiences/learnings that combine to make one what he/she is as a person/administrator. Unlikely to be a determining factor in the success or failure of a school administrator. -- TW
Testimonial: Give a "rave review" of an arts program you have participated in or observed, something that has inspired you, or describe an arts moment in your personal life, from your past, or your present point of view as an administrator.
I am involved as a musician - playing both 12-string acoustic guitar and piano. In addition to my own pleasure and enjoyment, I've seen how my children have flourished in their involvement with music and movement. -- RC
I recently toured and taught in several Russian schools, where they have special schools and programs for "the arts." Although the programs were excellent, they benefit a few. In the US we are attempting to make "the arts" an integral part of every child's program. What a wonderful thing! -- JG
Over the years we have a set of weavings, a piece of sculpture, some poetry, quilts, pictures of a dance residency, and many memories which have helped to create the culture of the school. -- DH
We have several talented people who stretch and extend kids to be better and greater - Mrs. Frick, an art teacher, every year has students who win awards, who never knew they were artists . . . -- TR
The work that the Very Special Arts program and its Artists in Residency program do in the state of New Hampshire and their close association with Spaulding Youth Center in providing handicapped students with beneficial arts programming. -- TW
Principal Contacts:
RC -- Rose LaRochelle-Colby
Mountain View Middle School
41 Lauren Lane
Goffstown, NH 03045
(603) 497-8288
fax: 497-4987
GE -- George Edwards
Bow High School
32 White Rock Hill Road
Bow, NH 03304
(603) 228-2210
fax: 228-2212
email:gedwards@bownet.org
www.concord.k12.nh.us
JG -- John Graziano
Pembroke Academy
209 Academy Road
Pembroke, NH 03275
(603) 485-7881
fax: 485-1824
email: jgraziano@sau53.org
DH -- Dennis Harrington
Mohariment School
11 Lee Road
Madbury, NH 03820
(603) 742-2900
fax: 742-7569
email:d_harrington@moharimet.oysteriver.nh.us
TR -- Timothy Rice
Memorial Middle School
55 McGrath Street
Laconia, NH 03246
(603) 524-4632
fax: 528-8675
email: trice@laconia.k12.nh.us
MT -- Mike Tocci
Gilford Elementary School
76 Belknap Mountain Road
Gilford, NH
(603) 524-1661
TW -- Tom Watman
Pangburn School at Spaulding Youth Center
PO Box 189
Tilton, New Hampshire 03276
(603)286-8901 x303
fax: 286-8650
www.s-y-c.org
