By Elizabeth Seyler

This year’s winners of the Vermont Arts Education Awards share a belief that skillfully blending the arts and academics provides the greatest opportunities for students.  At the VAAE Conference in September, Waitsfield Elementary and Catamount Elementary each received the  “Creative Ticket—Schools of Excellence” Award, and Ruth Kaldor of the Cabot School received the “Arts Educator” Award. 

The Creative Ticket Award recognizes the role that schools play in providing a creative learning environment for outstanding student achievement.  Waitsfield Elementary School exemplifies such careful integration of the arts and academics.  One visit to the art/music room reveals how students learn about culture and many other subjects through the arts.  For example, students in music class practice fractions by composing their own music in different time signatures, and students in art class improve their writing skills through critical journaling of their own art and through reflecting on works by famous artists.  Principal Carol Hosford commented “I’m proud that Waitsfield Elementary School offers opportunities for students of all ages to find success and develop positive self-images through drama, music, and art.”  She believes that Waitsfield Elementary is unique because students have many chances to participate in the arts.  They not only take weekly art and music classes, but also may act in ongoing theater workshops, sing in choruses, play in bands, enjoy dance residencies, and send their musical and artistic work to an on-line site for professional feedback.  Their school encourages students to explore all art forms and maintains a vital link between classroom academics and the arts.

Catamount Elementary School, the other winner of the Creative Ticket Award, has always believed that the arts are catalysts for academic learning. Three years ago they found data to back their claims.  They discovered research showing that students engaged in arts-rich programs achieve at a higher level in certain academic areas than those who did not engage in such programs.  Catamount decided to develop a core curriculum consistent with their belief that providing students with arts-rich experiences throughout their day was the best way to: comprehensively develop the whole child, create an awareness of diversity and tolerance, build students’ self-esteem, and provide students with a forum for displaying their talents. 

Since making this pledge two years ago, the school has made great strides.  The arts now drives their character education program, the school has become known in its district for providing high-quality arts experiences, and their arts program was presented at the National Association for Elementary School Principals national conference in California in April 2001.  Music Teacher Lynn Songdahl commented, “I guess what makes Catamount Elementary unique is that we’ve tried to identify the interests and talents of our students and give them a wide variety of opportunities to express themselves through the arts.  One of the most important things in this process has been the music and art teachers working very closely together.”  Teamwork among teachers, administrators, and staff has also been crucial to their success.  “Of course, none of this would be possible without the incredible support and commitment of the entire staff at Catamount,” said Lynn.

Ruth Kaldor, the winner of the 2001 VAAE Arts Educator Award, has been the leader of arts education at Cabot School for the past ten years.  She is a model recipient of the award, which is made to outstanding arts teachers who demonstrate a commitment to high-quality programs in their schools.  Ruth teaches art PK-12 in the local 240-student school district.  “Although her expertise and certification is in the visual arts,” wrote Cabot Principal J. David Book, “she has encouraged and implemented programs and residencies in many other arts-related areas.  She has supported drama, dance, and music through collaboration and her own personal involvement.”  For example, she recently brought Verandah Porche to the school for a residency on lyric poetry, which was funded by a grant that Ruth received from the Vermont Arts Council. In addition to serving students, Ruth has strengthened the bond between the school and community by offering popular workshops and classes in ceramics, mask making, interlocking book structures, figurative printmaking, holiday card making, Ukrainian egg decoration, and a summer mural camp. 

When asked what was most rewarding or satisfying about teaching at Cabot, Ruth responded, “I am always amazed each year that there are new techniques and projects to discover.  I especially enjoy the freedom at Cabot to try new ideas that work (most of the time). There is a lot of pride we should all share in showing other teachers how readily art fits into any discipline.”  Says Book, “Ruth is an incredible team player.  She is responsible and professional in every way.  To me, she epitomizes the high quality of art education fostered by the VAAE.”