By Blake Siskavich As I reflect on this past year, I am both humbled and energized by the progress we’ve made in the Fine and Performing Arts Department and the broader school community. Leading this work hasn’t just been about improving instruction—it’s been about transforming systems, expanding access, and centering equity in everything we do. …
Advancing Arts Education: Partnering with the Rennie Center and DESE on Curriculum Review
This spring, I was honored to be invited by the Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy to serve as a Music Teacher Advisor for a statewide arts curriculum review initiative. The project—supported in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)—aims to evaluate K–12 arts curricula across five key disciplines: Visual …
PD for Learning Targets
In a recent professional development session centered on crafting effective learning targets for elementary arts classrooms, educators explored how these targets can transform teaching and learning. Learning targets provide essential focus and direction by clearly defining what students are expected to learn, ensuring alignment with standards and instructional goals. More than just instructional tools, they …
Blake Siskavich 