ESD 189 Northwest Educational Service District

Which of these arts did you have as a part of your own K-12 education?

Media Arts, Music, Theatre, Visual Art

How did the arts impact your education and life after high school?

Many of my lifelong friends were from band - and appreciation for music and media arts have significant influence on me to this day.

If elected, which of these strategies would you consider to support arts education in your district?

• Research current arts program and assess needs throughout the district
• Work for a budget to finacially support arts instruction at all schools
• Create a local arts education task-force
• Develop or update a district level arts plan
• Support arts inclusion professional development opportunities for classroom teachers
• Expand district-wide data collection for tracking and accountability
• Seek out insights from local PTAs, Booster Clubs, and arts organizations

How do you plan to support and implement SB5878 this school year?

Leveraging the development of the Anacortes Arts District in conjunction with the City Council and the School District will provide additional community partnerships and resources for our students to be involved. When faced with budget cuts, you need to get creative - and partnering with local government and NGO’s are an underutilized resource.

Arts education which incorporates trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices can be uniquely beneficial, especially during this challenging period in history. How do you see the arts playing a role in student success in your district?

Art allows for expression in a number of ways beyond verbal processing. The ability for students to express their joys, fears, experiences and feelings in a medium they are comfortable with will help them develop and thrive.

Which of these arts did you have as a part of your own K-12 education?

Music, Visual Art

How did the arts impact your education and life after high school?

I loved my experience in high school band. I learned valuable lessons about teamwork, goals, and working hard. My band family got me through some challenging years.

If elected, which of these strategies would you consider to support arts education in your district?

• Research current arts program and assess needs throughout the district
• Work for a budget to finacially support arts instruction at all schools
• Create a local arts education task-force
• Develop or update a district level arts plan
• Develop or expand district support for teaching artist residencies
• Support arts inclusion professional development opportunities for classroom teachers
• Support trauma-informed, culturally responsive professional development for arts teachers
• Expand district-wide data collection for tracking and accountability
• Seek out insights from local PTAs, Booster Clubs, and arts organizations

How do you plan to support and implement SB5878 this school year?

We do have wonderful art instructors in our district. I will continue to support them.

Arts education which incorporates trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices can be uniquely beneficial, especially during this challenging period in history. How do you see the arts playing a role in student success in your district?

During the challenges after the Oso slide, art therapy activities were extremely helpful for our students as they learned to cope. I see the arts continue to play a significant role in our community as they help our students develop talents, find joy, learn valuable skills, and support their social and emotional growth.

Which of these arts did you have as a part of your own K-12 education?

Media Arts, Music, Visual Art

How did the arts impact your education and life after high school?

Art education was central to my development in grades 7-12. I had great teachers.

If elected, which of these strategies would you consider to support arts education in your district?

• Research current arts program and assess needs throughout the district
• Work for a budget to finacially support arts instruction at all schools
• Seek out insights from local PTAs, Booster Clubs, and arts organizations

How do you plan to support and implement SB5878 this school year?

When additional state funding becomes available, we will be able to build upon a solid program in the arts.

Arts education which incorporates trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices can be uniquely beneficial, especially during this challenging period in history. How do you see the arts playing a role in student success in your district?

Arts provide an important aesthetic and emotional pathway to learning for all students.

Which of these arts did you have as a part of your own K-12 education?

Dance, Media Arts, Music, Theatre

How did the arts impact your education and life after high school?

Art, allowed me to express my feelings and wants in a health way.

If elected, which of these strategies would you consider to support arts education in your district?

• Research current arts program and assess needs throughout the district
• Work for a budget to finacially support arts instruction at all schools
• Develop or update a district level arts plan
• Develop or expand district support for teaching artist residencies
• Support arts inclusion professional development opportunities for classroom teachers
• Support trauma-informed, culturally responsive professional development for arts teachers
• Expand district-wide data collection for tracking and accountability
• Seek out insights from local PTAs, Booster Clubs, and arts organizations
• This is a loaded response to only select one of the items listed above
• I believe they all would be vital to ensure equitable arts instruction for all students in the district.

How do you plan to support and implement SB5878 this school year?

Access if B-E school district has added visual and performing arts to the statutory list of subjects. Have students and parents made aware of their options, along with how the district is ensuring the sustainability of SB5878 with budget cuts implemented.

Arts education which incorporates trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices can be uniquely beneficial, especially during this challenging period in history. How do you see the arts playing a role in student success in your district?

Arts allow students to engage in healthy expression of their personality, beliefs, wants and needs.

Which of these arts did you have as a part of your own K-12 education?

Music, Visual Art

How did the arts impact your education and life after high school?

Perspective drawing class helped me to build my visual-spatial skills for studying math and science.

If elected, which of these strategies would you consider to support arts education in your district?

• Research current arts program and assess needs throughout the district
• Work for a budget to finacially support arts instruction at all schools
• Develop or update a district level arts plan
• Support trauma-informed, culturally responsive professional development for arts teachers
• Seek out insights from local PTAs, Booster Clubs, and arts organizations

How do you plan to support and implement SB5878 this school year?

Our district requires two credits of art for graduation. We offer art and music specials at the elementary school, band is available for 6-12, art is offered as a middle school elective, and five periods of elective art are available for high schoolers.

Arts education which incorporates trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices can be uniquely beneficial, especially during this challenging period in history. How do you see the arts playing a role in student success in your district?

We have worked with all our secondary teachers to provide professional development in trauma-informed practices, and our art teacher is particularly responsive and works on incorporating these concerns in our classes. We definitely have room to improve when it comes to connecting students to opportunities and giving them a safe outlet when it comes to music, choir, and theater, but these are past strengths of our district and I’d like to see them thrive again.

Which of these arts did you have as a part of your own K-12 education?

Music, Theatre, Visual Art

How did the arts impact your education and life after high school?

I love to sing, and I am a dancer. Although not an artist I do appreciate visual arts.

If elected, which of these strategies would you consider to support arts education in your district?

• Research current arts program and assess needs throughout the district
• Work for a budget to finacially support arts instruction at all schools
• Create a local arts education task-force
• Develop or update a district level arts plan
• Support trauma-informed, culturally responsive professional development for arts teachers
• Seek out insights from local PTAs, Booster Clubs, and arts organizations

How do you plan to support and implement SB5878 this school year?

Itís important for students to try different arts and get credits for them. Although not all will go on to have careers in art, giving them the opportunity to try different things opens the door to possibilities.

Arts education which incorporates trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices can be uniquely beneficial, especially during this challenging period in history. How do you see the arts playing a role in student success in your district?

Studies show that art can have a healing effect in mental health. Itís important when dealing with mental health we give children opportunities to express themselves through art.

A great way to incorporate art in our schools is teach other cultures and itís unique artistic styles. Showing how these art styles have effected modern art today.

Which of these arts did you have as a part of your own K-12 education?

Music, Theatre, Visual Art

How did the arts impact your education and life after high school?

It gave me the confidence to try out for Up With People. I traveled and sang with UWP for a year. I have sung in several bands and had my own jazz band, Stirred Not Shaken, for 11 years. I’m currently singing in a Dixieland jazz band. As a teacher, I wrote songs to help students memorize facts, such as the salmon life cycle, and metric measurement, etc.

If elected, which of these strategies would you consider to support arts education in your district?

• Research current arts program and assess needs throughout the district
• Create a local arts education task-force
• Develop or update a district level arts plan
• Support arts inclusion professional development opportunities for classroom teachers
• Seek out insights from local PTAs, Booster Clubs, and arts organizations

How do you plan to support and implement SB5878 this school year?

I’d support offering regular instruction in at least one visual art and one performing art throughout the academic school year, as stated by SB5878, for all students.

Arts education which incorporates trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices can be uniquely beneficial, especially during this challenging period in history. How do you see the arts playing a role in student success in your district?

The arts provide students opportunities to find ways to express themselves and learn various pathways to increase their confidence. By discovering talents they didn’t know they had, students become more engaged in school and learning. When given opportunities to find their hidden talents, students are more positive about the whole school experience and are more likely to show up every day.

Which of these arts did you have as a part of your own K-12 education?

Media Arts, Music, Theatre, Visual Art

How did the arts impact your education and life after high school?

It was photography, landscapes in particular and Iím always looking around at this beautiful world we live in for my next photograph. The effect is a life long appreciation for the world we live in.

If elected, which of these strategies would you consider to support arts education in your district?

• Research current arts program and assess needs throughout the district
• Develop or update a district level arts plan
• Support trauma-informed, culturally responsive professional development for arts teachers
• Expand district-wide data collection for tracking and accountability
• Seek out insights from local PTAs, Booster Clubs, and arts organizations

How do you plan to support and implement SB5878 this school year?

As one board member i will work with my fellow board members to advocate for this bill.

Arts education which incorporates trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices can be uniquely beneficial, especially during this challenging period in history. How do you see the arts playing a role in student success in your district?

I think this would be a great option for therapy for some of our children. As an enrolled Tribal member Iím aware of the different traumas our children experience and art education might be an option for therapy for them.

Which of these arts did you have as a part of your own K-12 education?

Music, Theatre, Visual Art

How did the arts impact your education and life after high school?

I believe that it made me more creative and helped me see things through a different lens.

If elected, which of these strategies would you consider to support arts education in your district?

• Research current arts program and assess needs throughout the district
• Work for a budget to finacially support arts instruction at all schools
• Seek out insights from local PTAs, Booster Clubs, and arts organizations

How do you plan to support and implement SB5878 this school year?

Unsure need to do more research.

Arts education which incorporates trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices can be uniquely beneficial, especially during this challenging period in history. How do you see the arts playing a role in student success in your district?

We need the arts and I think it could help some students pursue a career in those studies.

Which of these arts did you have as a part of your own K-12 education?

Media Arts, Music, Theatre

How did the arts impact your education and life after high school?

It changed the whole arc of my career history. Because of my involvement with Community Access Television during my high school years, I went into communications and media as a career path which continues to this day. I play music with my wife that deepens and enriches my life and I continue to volunteer with theatre groups locally.

If elected, which of these strategies would you consider to support arts education in your district?

• Research current arts program and assess needs throughout the district
• Work for a budget to finacially support arts instruction at all schools
• Develop or update a district level arts plan
• Support trauma-informed, culturally responsive professional development for arts teachers
• Seek out insights from local PTAs, Booster Clubs, and arts organizations

How do you plan to support and implement SB5878 this school year?

I’m grateful that the legislature has made arts education a priority - in tough budget times, enrichment activities are often first on the chopping block. Many of the facilities and equipment used for our arts programs (the aging theatre, the materials for design media, etc) are old and falling apart. Currently, we are considering a new facilities bond, I will advocate for the spaces we need for the programming requirements of SB5878

Arts education which incorporates trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices can be uniquely beneficial, especially during this challenging period in history. How do you see the arts playing a role in student success in your district?

It is absolutely essential. If all we do is provide basic literacy and job training, we will produce a generation of youth who believe that creating and imagining is for someone else. We must support and inspire the dreamers and creators because they are the ones who will give our life meaning, and conceptualize the great new things of tomorrow.

Which of these arts did you have as a part of your own K-12 education?

Media Arts, Music, Visual Art

How did the arts impact your education and life after high school?

Planted the seeds for creative aspirations in event planning and design. Positive impact in career communications using multiple platforms for both internal and external formats.

If elected, which of these strategies would you consider to support arts education in your district?

• Research current arts program and assess needs throughout the district
• Work for a budget to finacially support arts instruction at all schools
• Create a local arts education task-force
• Develop or update a district level arts plan
• Seek out insights from local PTAs, Booster Clubs, and arts organizations

How do you plan to support and implement SB5878 this school year?

I believe in grass roots efforts and community responsibility. Introduction to community theater with performances invited to campus for student participation and/or viewing. Additional financial support to our K-8 students in art subjects of dance and digital media.

Arts education which incorporates trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices can be uniquely beneficial, especially during this challenging period in history. How do you see the arts playing a role in student success in your district?

When you focus on a sense of belonging with our students, the arts are a vessel of inclusion with so many mediums to choose from. Assessing the needs of individual students and allowing them variety to find the art that resonates with them, their needs and outcomes.

Which of these arts did you have as a part of your own K-12 education?

Music, Theatre, Visual Art

How did the arts impact your education and life after high school?

Greatly effective in my vocation in design

If elected, which of these strategies would you consider to support arts education in your district?

• Work for a budget to finacially support arts instruction at all schools
• Create a local arts education task-force
• Seek out insights from local PTAs, Booster Clubs, and arts organizations

How do you plan to support and implement SB5878 this school year?

Unsure,more information needed

Arts education which incorporates trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices can be uniquely beneficial, especially during this challenging period in history. How do you see the arts playing a role in student success in your district?

Way to express student’s feelings

Which of these arts did you have as a part of your own K-12 education?

Music, Theatre, Visual Art

How did the arts impact your education and life after high school?

I have always enjoyed participating in the arts, whether attending theater, visiting museums or producing my own works. Art communicates the human condition.

If elected, which of these strategies would you consider to support arts education in your district?

• Work for a budget to finacially support arts instruction at all schools
• Support trauma-informed, culturally responsive professional development for arts teachers

How do you plan to support and implement SB5878 this school year?

We already provide art education opportunities at the level included in the bill.

Arts education which incorporates trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices can be uniquely beneficial, especially during this challenging period in history. How do you see the arts playing a role in student success in your district?

I think that one of the best things that we can do in this area is to bring in artists from our local Nooksack tribe, especially at the elementary level. This exposes all students to our local culture, and is a source of pride for our tribal students. We include Nooksack drummers in our high school graduation ceremony.

Which of these arts did you have as a part of your own K-12 education?

Music, Theatre

How did the arts impact your education and life after high school?

I acted in several plays in school which made me comfortable with public speaking. This was beneficial in my career as I was often tasked with giving presentations. It has also been helpful in my role as a board member.

If elected, which of these strategies would you consider to support arts education in your district?

• Work for a budget to finacially support arts instruction at all schools
• Support trauma-informed, culturally responsive professional development for arts teachers
• Seek out insights from local PTAs, Booster Clubs, and arts organizations

How do you plan to support and implement SB5878 this school year?

As I understand SB5878, I believe that our district is already in compliance.

Arts education which incorporates trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices can be uniquely beneficial, especially during this challenging period in history. How do you see the arts playing a role in student success in your district?

Arts education is foundational to a quality education. It allows students to explore and thus enhance their creativity. It also enhances students’ sense of belonging and gives them a fun reason to go to school.

Which of these arts did you have as a part of your own K-12 education?

Music, Theatre, Visual Art

How did the arts impact your education and life after high school?

I won second prize in an international art contest while in school, but I continued with art and music to this day. I have constantly provided Gothic/Old English lettering on countless documents over the years, as well as oil paintings for friends and relatives.

Growing up in the vicinity of New York, I was fortunate to have been able to avail myself of a 7th-8th grade school program which taught the opera and its music prior to actually attending a special afternoon performance of the opera for students by their premier cast at the Metropolitan Opera (Cavalleria Rusticana and Il Pagliacci one year and Carmen the next)! At the same time, I have continued to sing with church choirs, as well as the New York City Opera Chorus at Wolftrap in the late 1970’s and the Pacific Northwest Opera Chorus for the last several years. Music and art have been a major factor in my daily life for as long as I can remember, for enjoyment, not wage-earning!

If elected, which of these strategies would you consider to support arts education in your district?

• Research current arts program and assess needs throughout the district
• Work for a budget to finacially support arts instruction at all schools
• Develop or update a district level arts plan
• Support arts inclusion professional development opportunities for classroom teachers
• Support trauma-informed, culturally responsive professional development for arts teachers
• Seek out insights from local PTAs, Booster Clubs, and arts organizations

How do you plan to support and implement SB5878 this school year?

Ensure there is money in the budget to adequately fund arts education throughout our school district

Arts education which incorporates trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices can be uniquely beneficial, especially during this challenging period in history. How do you see the arts playing a role in student success in your district?

Especially in my district, because half of the student population comes from transient Navy families, arts education plays an extremely important part in those students’ lives because it gives them the ability to be uprooted from one community and placed in a new one, yet immediately become an integral contributing part of the new community (as though they had lived there for years)….a ready-made group of individuals with similar appreciations of the arts.

Which of these arts did you have as a part of your own K-12 education?

Dance, Media Arts, Music, Theatre, Visual Art

How did the arts impact your education and life after high school?

Art was a huge part of my life before and after k-12 school. That’s why I became a certified teacher endorsed in fine arts. I was a kid who did art camp and took all the art classes instead of sports and other activities my friends did.

If elected, which of these strategies would you consider to support arts education in your district?

• Research current arts program and assess needs throughout the district
• Work for a budget to finacially support arts instruction at all schools
• Create a local arts education task-force
• Develop or update a district level arts plan
• Develop or expand district support for teaching artist residencies
• Support arts inclusion professional development opportunities for classroom teachers
• Support trauma-informed, culturally responsive professional development for arts teachers
• Expand district-wide data collection for tracking and accountability
• Seek out insights from local PTAs, Booster Clubs, and arts organizations

How do you plan to support and implement SB5878 this school year?

Before SB5878 was passed my district had decided to cut visual arts entirely from our one and only middle school. Luckily this bill was passed and they hired a part time art teacher. While I am glad the position was added I think we need to go further and create a full time art teacher position again to best support our students.

Arts education which incorporates trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices can be uniquely beneficial, especially during this challenging period in history. How do you see the arts playing a role in student success in your district?

Art is extremely important when it comes to student success and wellbeing. Art provides opportunity for students to express themselves safely, learn about the world around them and be create. Art can have a huge impact on students, staff and communities and needs to be protected in our schools.

Which of these arts did you have as a part of your own K-12 education?

Music, Theatre

How did the arts impact your education and life after high school?

My experiences in music and theater helped me to gain confidence, leadership skills, and a self-image I could respect. It also opened cultural doors to me that continue to contribute to my understanding of our heritage even today.

If elected, which of these strategies would you consider to support arts education in your district?

• Research current arts program and assess needs throughout the district
• Work for a budget to finacially support arts instruction at all schools
• Seek out insights from local PTAs, Booster Clubs, and arts organizations

How do you plan to support and implement SB5878 this school year?

I can’t know that until I have the opportunity to assess the current situation.

Arts education which incorporates trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices can be uniquely beneficial, especially during this challenging period in history. How do you see the arts playing a role in student success in your district?

I am cautious of arts education being interjected at times of trauma. My impulse to make certain that traumatic events are not appropriated to promote agendas among the vulnerable.

Which of these arts did you have as a part of your own K-12 education?

Dance, Media Arts, Music, Theatre, Visual Art

How did the arts impact your education and life after high school?

I enjoy papercrafting, scrapbooking, and sewing as hobbies. While I don’t act, I do know how to do hair and makeup for professional photos, and can dress accordingly for most any event from black tie to board meetings to sporting events. As an event coordinator for our annual local community event, I refer to Friday setup and opening as the Dress Rehearsal, Saturday as the Main Event, and Sunday as the Debrief and Tear Down. It is very much like putting on a play, with a lot of people doing different things behind the scenes, for a common goal that the Public sees.

If elected, which of these strategies would you consider to support arts education in your district?

• Research current arts program and assess needs throughout the district
• Work for a budget to finacially support arts instruction at all schools
• Create a local arts education task-force
• Develop or update a district level arts plan
• Support arts inclusion professional development opportunities for classroom teachers
• Seek out insights from local PTAs, Booster Clubs, and arts organizations

How do you plan to support and implement SB5878 this school year?

I would start with reviewing what arts programs and classes are offered at our grade, middle, and high schools, then cross reference those with student pass/fail rates. If fail rates are significantly higher than average, I would ask to see teacher evaluations for those teachers along with their certifications. From there I would look at the district & building budgets and offer Professional Development opportunities (classes) to expand on their knowledge base and learn new techniques. I would also look at available supplies to determine if budget enhancements for project specific goals could benefit and drive greater student success in passing art classes. An example would be; Sultan was incorporated in 1905, so our Centennial celebration was in 2005. A PAST PRESENT & FUTURE Art Exhibit with student art pieces depicting the lives of the original settlers to our region in 1905 along with the lives of residents in 2005, and what they think 2105 residents lives will look like in key areas of housing, transportation, and fashion.

Arts education which incorporates trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices can be uniquely beneficial, especially during this challenging period in history. How do you see the arts playing a role in student success in your district?

Art Therapy is a recognized method in helping people understand and recognize that struggles are very real and they transcend cultures and time. Through self expression, one can connect with their roots through music, dance, photography, paintings, digital art, drawing, sketching, film, costumes, acting, speech, and poetry. Since art is subjective, learning to love yourself AND accept criticism gracefully are skills to be mastered as not everyone will like everything you do. Just like the Covid Pandemic, everyone will have an opinion, and some of those opinions will be horrible. At the end of the day, how did it make you feel?