1. Coordinator of Fine Arts
MCPS Fine Arts
Debbie Perry
Candidate for
Coordinator of Fine Arts

2. Mrs. Debbie Perry

3. Position Description
The position is Coordinator of Fine Arts for Montgomery County Public Schools. In this position I will supervise curriculum and instruction for all visual and performing arts teachers and programs. I will oversee and manage budget and schedules. I will work with other administrators to meet county objectives and provide a top-notch fine arts program. I will report to and be part of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

4. Additional Information about MCPS
Montgomery County, Virginia
Twelve elementary schools, four middle schools, four high schools and one secondary school.
The Mission of Montgomery County Public Schools is to be a community of excellence that develops each student's potential to be a life-long learner and a productive global citizen.

5. MCPS Fine Arts, current program offerings:
Montgomery County Fine Arts provides students with a variety of ways to develop their creative skills.  Fine Arts opportunities are available for students throughout their school experience at each level of instruction.  At the elementary level students have the opportunity to enjoy weekly instruction in both art and music.  Additional opportunities are provided in middle and high school as students can choose from various band and choral classes and a wider range of art electives.

6. Strength of Candidacy Debbie Perry’s strengths are:
Multiple teaching certifications and experience teaching in more than one arts field.
Experienced in overseeing programs throughout a county and in multiple schools.
Excellent communication and personnel management skills.

7. Personal vision statement
I believe that every person possess great potential.
To guide that potential towards fulfillment, educators and parents must provide opportunities for children to know themselves.
People come to know themselves through participation in activities such as athletics, band, choirs, dance, theater, visual arts, graphic arts, competitions, workshops, etc.

8. Program Plan
As your Coordinator of Fine Arts, I believe we must offer a wide variety of experiences. Therefore, this means educators must have a interdisciplinary approach to the fine arts. The following slides represent what I believe are essential elements to consider for a strong Fine Arts Program. This is what I will do

9. I will Initiate and Support An Interdisciplinary Art & Music Program
I will Initiate and Support An Interdisciplinary Art & Music Program. HOW? I will:
1. Promote ideas
2. Organize investigations
3. Direct development
4. Guide implementation
5. Communicate and Facilitate

10. 1. Promote the idea Simmer Sell
Create a buzz on the idea with staff, parents, and community
How? With good PR from me as your Supervisor
Sell
Promote what is already being done in MCPS
How? Sell by doing: start with the easy

11. Sample activities Sell! Simmer I will guide the department to:
Seek out and promote what is already being done in regular classroom and by fine arts faculty
Create brochures
Write articles
Create booth displays for performances/exhibitions
Create slide shows and music loops for integration by schools
Simmer
Hiring me and promoting the hiring with regard to my interdisciplinary expertise
As Supervisor, I will visit schools to instigate visibility and interest
As Supervisor, I will make community contacts
As Supervisor, I will create Fine Arts Advisory Board (FAAB)

12. 2. Organize investigation
Collaborative approach
Wide to narrow
Research based
Variety of methods
Focus groups
Staff meetings
Surveys
Questionnaires

13. 3. Direct the Development of the Program
Curriculum
Align with K-12 SOL’s
Create a Curriculum Guide
Activities
Present and future
Needs Assessment
Policy, protocol, equipment and funding

14. Sample approaches Look for commonalities within the arts such as:
Disciplines, methodologies
Curriculum issues e.g., color, rhythm, line
Activities
Instructional
Festivals
Competitions
Community Involvement
Shows
Look for fit into the bigger picture of school, county and community that are:
Reflections of cultures around the world – seek to create a fit with our diverse community
Reflections and enhancements of social studies and history curriculum

15. 4. Guide Implementation Establish phases Establish policy
Establish protocol
Develop and deliver staff development
Do formative & summative evaluations
Re-direct and revise program based on assessments

16. 5. Communicate and Facilitate
Newsletters and PR
Staff meetings
Supporting documents and events assistance
Handbook detailing policy and protocol
Maintain website(s)
Being available
Establishing routine
Facilitate
Through Curriculum Guide and Handbook
Maintaining department inventory and managing funds
Setting high standards and expectations
Leading staff development
Problem solving

17. Key Characteristics I believe help Communicate and Facilitate:
Communicating:
Have documents that are helpful e.g. calendar of events
Have an advisory board that is proactive
Have an open door policy
Keep a positive attitude
Be a good listener
Be observant yet authoritative
Problem solving:
Have an empathetic understanding
Be able to brainstorm
Be able to take risks and to learn from failure in a positive manner
Be able to juggle; to multi-task
Know good instruction and how to train teachers

18. What kinds of activities will reflect this interdisciplinary approach?
Activity Type
Within one class
Between teachers
Between subjects
Between grade levels
Whole school
Between schools
Whole strain
County, district or state
Community
Activity Attribute
During school day
After school activity
Evening activity
Weekend activity
Community
placement
Field trip
Multi-day
Ongoing

19. Examples of activities that reflect this interdisciplinary approach.
Fine Arts exhibits
Music performances
Arts festivals
Arts workshops
Guest Artists
Artist-in-Residencies
Musical & Opera performances
Projects
Juried Events
Purchased arts performances/exhibits
Field trips
Competitions
Clubs (Art Club, Music Club, Graphics Club
Combined classes
University collaboration

20. How would this look in schools?
High School
Guest artists like Robert Chafin, formerly of CHS
Community arts project like display or design
Departments collaborate on events – combine
Dual Enrolment
DC portfolio conference
Mentor program
Career exploration
Elementary
Combination festivals
Curricular alignment with social studies
Community connections and events
Middle School
Family workshops
Arts carnival and juried show
Collaborative events
Artists-in-residences
Clubs (Graphics Club)

21. In Summary Debbie Perry Debbie Perry
The BEST candidate for the position of Coordinator of Fine Arts!
Debbie Perry
Supports an interdisciplinary approach to program development and implementation.

22. Steps to initiate and support:
1. Promote ideas
2. Organize investigations
3. Direct development
4. Guide implementation
5. Communicate and Facilitate
[What to watch for: equity between strains; a balance between programs taking place during and after the school day; and a balance between instruction & curriculum and events/activities.]

23. Thanks for this opportunity to share my vision for the fine arts in MCPS!