Camas administrator honored with prestigious award
A "visionary approach" to strengthening teaching and learning through the arts has earned Assistant Superintendent Tanis Knight and the Camas School District a Sunburst Award from the Board of Directors of Young Audiences of Oregon and Southwest Washington. Knight was honored along with the likes of Nike and Wieden and Kennedy on May 25 in Portland for her work in advancing arts education.
Christine Caton, Director of Education for Young Audiences, noted that districts often choose to focus their professional development dollars on traditional core curriculum due to limited funds and an increasing emphasis on performance assessments. "The Camas School District took another, rather visionary approach to teacher growth by looking to the arts as a way to strengthen both teaching and learning," said Caton.
Working with Young Audiences staff and three exemplary teaching artists, Knight put together a professional development package that honors K-6 teachers' major wish-to learn the district's newly adopted art curriculum and to begin using it. "Recognizing that one size does not fit all, the workshop designers developed separate experiences for primary, middle and upper elementary grades," Caton explained about the Camas program.
Camas was also featured with photos and in the February edition of the Young Audiences Artworks Newsletter.
"Tanis is very deserving of this award," said Doreen Wilsdon, Teacher on Special Assignment. "She has provided tremendous leadership and innovation in shaping the art program here in Camas and working with parents, teachers and arts professionals in a positive, productive way," she added.
Lori Simpson - May 2005