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SCHOOL LEADERSHIP | module 1

Get Arts Powered with School Leaders

Restoring and sustaining the arts in schools requires leadership on all fronts.  Get help! No matter the location, size or level of their school, Arts Powered Leaders drive arts integration through four major strategies: 
 A small section of IS 259's 2,500 square foot hallway mural, "Rhapsody in Blue."
strategy 1 | BUILD AN ARTS POWERED TEAM
strategy 2 | USE ALL RESOURCES - AND MULTIPLY THEM
strategy 3 | PROGRAM OUT OF THE BOX
strategy 4 | GATHER AND USE EVIDENCE OF SUCCESS

 

strategy 1 l Build an Arts Powered Team

IS 259 in Brooklyn, New York

A Bay Ridge, Brooklyn middle school, IS 259, known also as William McKinley, provides an example. A strong team usually involves:
 
Principal Janice GearyJanice Geary, the principal 
Geary has built an exemplary Arts Powered Team. As the assistant principal, Geary collaborated with her predecessor to gradually build up the school’s arts programs from the time that they all but disappeared in the 1970s.  When Geary became principal, she was determined to keep this restoration going. 

To continually build her Arts Powered Team, Geary identifies individuals who can generate results, inspires them to take on the challenge, supports their efforts, and celebrates their success. Her current team includes:
 
 
 
Assistant Principal Carney Haberman
Carney Haberman, an assistant principal
Haberman grew up in the neighborhood, attended IS 259, trained and served as an art teacher, and then brought her talents home to IS 259.  Geary recognized her passion for the arts and charged her with day-to-day responsibility for building arts programs.
 
Haberman makes it part of her daily job to review all arts opportunities available to the staff, from grant opportunities to upcoming professional development options. As soon as she finds something that might interest a history or a music teacher, she approaches that teacher in the hallway, or writes an email or note to alert and interest him or her.  
Click to see Ms. Haberman's note ► ► ►
  

Parent Coordinator Diane Castignani
Diane Castignani, a parent coordinator
Geary knows that it takes more than her school budget to sustain the arts programs.  Enter Diane Castignani, who also grew up in the neighborhood and returned to work at IS 259.  Castignani works closely with local businesses and politicians—keeping an updated "wish" list of needs for her annual visit to the school's local city council person.

She also invites local groups to meet regularly at the school so that they can see the constantly changing exhibitions of student art work, hear the different music classes rehearsing, and see the kids passing in the halls wearing their “Shakespeare Alive” t-shirts.