New Technology High Teacher, Receives Grant for Commitment to the Arts in Education.

Margaret Dennett, New Technology High’s Art and Drama teacher, has received a grant of $1027.00 from Arts Council Napa Valley (ACNV). This grant was awarded through the ACNV’s Arts in Schools Program and will support professional development for Dennett, aimed at helping students gain a deeper understanding of both visual and performing arts. Dennett, who teaches all grade levels, was able to take Berkeley Repertory Theater classes and complete an Integrated Learning Specialists Program, ILSP, through ACOE, Alameda County Office of Education, as a result of the grant.

The Arts in Schools Grant Program awards grants to Napa County organizations and schools through a competitive process. This grant signifies that Margaret Dennett provides a high level of value in arts education and integration into the classroom. Through her recent study, Dennett has completely redesigned her approach to teaching the fundamentals to emerging artists, balancing critical thinking strategies with artistic expression. Through an innovative process advocated by ILSP, Dennett is teaching her students how to critically assess art, providing specific evidence to support their opinions, while simultaneously exploring new mediums without the fear of failing. Instead of emphasizing the final product, she focuses on the process, freeing up creative expression while developing critical thinking skills.

New Technology Principal, Michelle Spencer is particularly pleased to see critical thinking embedded in the arts. She said, “It’s gratifying to see Margaret take the lead, embracing the intent of our new Common Core Standards which emphasizes rigorous, deep-thinking in all content areas.” Spencer added, “She’s added the rigor without reducing one ounce of the fun.” As a result, Dennett’s classes always filled to capacity with a waiting list.

“Creating by doing is an extremely powerful way to learn” said executive Director/CEO Olivia Everett “And recognizing that the arts can do that – provide new ways of learning – is critical to the health of our local education ecosystem.”