Grand reveal of 3D mural at Oaklawn Elementary School

Menomonie (WQOW) - Oaklawn Elementary School's library is now home to a massive, 3D mural.

Arts Integration Menomonie, or A.I.M., helped the collaboration between UW-Stout and Oaklawn Elementary School. The art piece sits in the middle of the library.

It includes a three-dimensional winding beanstalk growing out of an open storybook. You can also see animals reading books, and a treehouse sitting on top of fluffy clouds, which the kids helped paint.

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UW-Stout art education student Taylor Gardner says she wants to be an art teacher, so being a part of this project helped improve her painting and teaching skills.

"They've seen every stage of it from the very beginning to when we were doing the pencil sketches, all the way up to the end where we were working 20 some feet up in the air on the lift trying to paint those last finishing touches," said Gardner. "They've seen it all, and they've just been so excited through this entire process, and they've just been so happy that they get to say they have something like this in their library at their school."

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Oaklawn Elementary gets new library mural through Arts Integrated Menomonie partnership

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There are multiple ways for teachers to engage students in learning.

Art Integrated Menomonie (AIM) believes it can provide education students with tools to teach by integrating art into their instruction. AIM partners with the School District of the Menomonie Area to retain teachers through art integration by improving teacher confidence and well-being.

“Our belief is that if we can provide our future teachers with a skill set in and around the arts that they’ll be better teachers because of it, and that they’ll have more confidence and happiness in the their teaching careers,” AIM Executive Director and UW-Stout Art Education professor Tami Weiss said.

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Jail project gives UW-Stout student new insight into teaching

Jail project gives UW-Stout student new insight into teaching

When University of Wisconsin-Stout junior Hana Buttles started her internship at the Dunn County Jail, she was nervous about teaching art techniques to inmates.

However, the art education major from Iola realized that her internship with PAINT — Program for Arts Integration for New Teachers — through Arts Integration Menomonie made her a better teacher.

“I used to be more self-centered as a teacher,” Buttles said. “I thought I would be planning daily lessons, teaching it to the students and going home. I see now how important it is to really incorporate that aspect of teaching into your life. It’s less about me and more about how I can support them.”

Buttles started teaching at the jail during the spring semester and is continuing this fall semester. She teaches different techniques to a group of 10 to 12 inmates.
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Creativity in living color

Creativity in living color

AUGUST 3, 2018
DUNN COUNTY NEWS

Menomonie school district’s week-long art camp offers an array of arts-based programs to elementary kids. From visual arts to performing arts, Menomonie school children and teachers celebrate the arts of joy and imagination. In a collaboration with Arts Integration Menomonie, classroom teachers work with professional artists to enhance teachers’ skills and confidence in using arts-integrated instructional practices. For the second year, pre-service teachers from UW-Stout’s Art Education program are among the camp's teaching artists. Tami Rae Weiss, executive director of A.I.M., calls it a “win-win-win” in which the Stout students gain classroom management expertise while the career teacher explores innovative arts skills and media, and community children reap the rewards of meaningful arts education.

ART CAMP - Menomonie students dabble in the artistic side of life

ART CAMP - Menomonie students dabble in the artistic side of life

LEADER TELEGRAM, EAU CLAIRE
AUGUST 2, 2018

What defines “good” art, anyway?  That’s a question asked of third- through fifth-graders in Menomonie school district’s summer school art camp.

The week-long summer school camp partners with Arts Integration Menomonie (A.I.M. to invite teachers and children to explore different artistic avenues from visual arts to theater arts.

One class, taught by Tami Weiss, assistant professor of teaching, learning and leadership at UW-Stout, had students question what it is that makes a piece “beautiful.”

“To open that conversation with children and have conversations about aesthetics with 8-year-olds, it’s pretty powerful learning, not just about content, but about life,” Weiss said. “Through this class, children can begin to understand the importance of sharing a message.

After learning that visual art can communicate feelings, ideas and messages, students had to think about what they wanted to convey through their own work.

The canvas project, for example, convey messages about self-love, empathy and positivity with bold, bright colors. They will hang in the district’s school buildings. “That that message could change somebody’s day or change somebody’s attitude about life — that’s a pretty powerful thing for a kid to think about, to realize they make that much of a difference on other people,” Weiss said.

Early Childhood Education Conference to feature national, local keynote speakers About 800 people expected to attend 40th annual event April 20-21

Early Childhood Education Conference to feature national, local keynote speakers About 800 people expected to attend 40th annual event April 20-21

APRIL 19, 2018
UW-STOUT NEWSCENTER

Weiss will speak from 9 to 10:15 a.m. Saturday in the Great Hall on “Beads and Breakdancing: Understanding Empathy Through the Arts.” In a multimedia presentation, Weiss will share various arts strategies from dancing to doodling through which teachers can cultivate empathy with even the youngest of learners.

To improve schools today, Weiss’ advice is to: “Focus less on right answers and more on human rights,” she has said. “Focus less on competition and more on community. Focus less on reading words and more on reading people. True education is the ability to understand another human being.” 

'P.A.I.N.T.'-ing rainbows - Free community classes taught by UW-Stout's Student-Teachers

'P.A.I.N.T.'-ing rainbows - Free community classes taught by UW-Stout's Student-Teachers

APRIL 11, 2018
DUNN COUNTY NEWS

Despite the unseasonable chill outside, these youngsters warmly embraced the chance to create rainbows and other art as they took part in P.A.I.N.T. Saturdays, a free 2-hour class offered through Arts Integration Menomonie, a collaborative partnership among University of Wisconsin-Stout's Art Education and Early Childhood Education programs, the School District of the Menomonie Area, and the Menomonie arts community. Taught by UW-Stout pre-service teachers in the university library, P.A.I.N.T. stands for Program for Arts Integration for New Teachers. K-5 students were invited to register to learn art basics using a variety of media and materials. For information about future sessions, visit http://www.artsintegrationmenomonie.org/paint-community-classes.

University’s arts integration program receives state DPI award

University’s arts integration program receives state DPI award

A UW-Stout program that integrates art into school curricula and the community in Menomonie has received a statewide award from the Department of Public Instruction.

Arts Integration Menomonie , a grant-funded program in its fourth year, recently was one of eight projects honored with the DPI’s 2017 Standing Up for Rural Wisconsin Schools, Libraries and Communities Award.

“We are honored and grateful to receive this award, and it serves as affirmation that our programs are having a positive impact. The work that we are doing through AIM is evidence that teaching through an art form makes learning come alive for students.  It is also evidence that Menomonie's teachers work tirelessly to impact on our children's futures. Teachers are the heart of education," Weiss said.

“The only way our rural communities can thrive is through intentional support and recognition of their importance to all of Wisconsin,” State Superintendent Tony Evers said. “Those who have worked on projects receiving this year’s rural awards demonstrate that support and the collaborative spirit that makes positive things happen for kids and communities. Their efforts make our rural communities vibrant places for children to learn.”

Article by AIM's Mindfulness Specialist! "Nonjudgmental Mindfulness Practice..."

Article by AIM's Mindfulness Specialist! "Nonjudgmental Mindfulness Practice..."

A.I.M.’s Mindfulness Specialist, Ann Brand, is published in “Second Opinion” Health and Wellness Magazine:
January is that time of year we embark on our radical plans for self-improvement. We look at ourselves with dismay, berate ourselves for mistakes and poor choices made in the past year, and come up with a long list of the ways we are going to eat healthier, be more fit, get organized, and improve our flaws. We charge ahead with this ideal in mind, ready to take on the new year. And then by the end of January, we are right back where we started, failing to meet our lofty expectations and kicking our self for blowing our New Year’s resolutions once again. It is an all-too-familiar cycle. Mindfulness practice is one way to interrupt this painful cycle. Mindful awareness can support us in making wise, healthy changes that we can sustain throughout the new year.

A.I.M. receives 2017 ‘Standing Up for Rural Wisconsin’ Award

A.I.M. Executive Director, Dr. Tami Rae Weiss, and Michael Thompson, Deputy State Superintendent. Weiss accepts the award on behalf of UW-Stout.  

A.I.M. Executive Director, Dr. Tami Rae Weiss, and Michael Thompson, Deputy State Superintendent. Weiss accepts the award on behalf of UW-Stout.  

Projects that strengthen schools and communities to be recognized Oct. 31, 2017 in Wisconsin Dells by the Department of Public Instruction. 

Wednesday, October 25, 2017
by Tom McCarthy, DPI Communications Director

MADISON — Eight projects will receive the 2017 Standing Up for Rural Wisconsin Schools, Libraries, and Communities Award during a program and reception Oct. 31 in Wisconsin Dells.

Presented each year to nominated projects that “demonstrate the great potential and collaborative spirit of rural Wisconsin,” this year’s recipients join 105 exemplary programs recognized since 2005.

“The only way our rural communities can thrive is through intentional support and recognition of their importance to all of Wisconsin,” said State Superintendent Tony Evers. “Those who have worked on projects receiving this year’s rural awards demonstrate that support and the collaborative spirit that makes positive things happen for kids and communities. Their efforts make our rural communities vibrant places for children to learn.”

Nominated by education and library professionals, the 2017 award winning programs will be recognized during the Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance conference (Oct. 30-31) in Wisconsin Dells.

Arts Integration Menomonie (A.I.M.), an arts education program at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, integrates the arts into the community and neighboring schools. From painting murals in school buildings to evening programs for children to work on art projects with future art teachers, the A.I.M. partnership promotes collaborative models of teaching among classroom teachers and UW-Stout students. The outcomes of the partnership have potential to enhance teacher competence and confidence and to improve the retention of pre-service teachers and early career teachers within the teaching profession. Another impact of the arts integration partnership is to improve appreciation for the arts through evenings of entertainment or enrichment at the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts, a partner in the project.

Anne Frank’s stepsister breaks silence to help educate youth to prevent a repeat of the Holocaust

SEPTEMBER 13TH 2017
ARTICLE BY: LEADER-TELEGRAM

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MENOMONIE — For 40 years, Holocaust survivor Eva Schloss kept silent about living through the World War II Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz.

But then the stepsister of Anne Frank, famous for her diary published after her death from typhus in a concentration camp, realized the world was not changing.

War, poverty and discrimination lived on long after 6 million Jews died in ethnic cleansing.

“I realized people are still very ignorant,” Schloss, 88, said, speaking at the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts on Tuesday to about 250 area teachers as part of Arts Integration Menomonie. “I think it’s partly because we never learned.”

UW-Stout brings the col­or­ful world of Dr. Seuss to life

March 26th 2016
ARTICLE BY: LEADER-TELEGRAM

MENOMONIE — UW-Stout freshman Lois Cassell has a love-hate relationship with playing the villain in the university’s production of “Seussical.”

“She’s very sassy,” the 19-year-old said of the Sour Kangaroo, who gets Horton, the hero elephant of the show, on trial for trying to save the Whos. “She’s the bully, the villain. I feel kind of bad when I hurt Horton. Everything she is I am not.”

“Seussical” features the main characters from such stories as “Horton Hears a Who!” “Cat in the Hat,” “Yertle the Turtle” and “Miss Gertrude McFuzz.” The musical opens Thursday at UW-Stout’s Harvey Hall Theatre.

A.I.M.-SPONSORED PERFORMANCE OF SEUSSICAL: Cast of beloved characters

MARCH 26TH 2017
ARTICLE BY: The dunn county news

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The University of Wisconsin - Stout Theatre presents its spring musical “Seussical”, and A.I.M. (Arts Integration Menomonie) sponsors special performances for local children in the Menomonie school district.

The stage of historic Harvey Hall Theatre at University of Wisconsin-Stout will come alive this spring with some of the beloved characters from the stories of Theodor Seuss Geisel, Dr. Seuss. The musical encompasses arts integration at its best, featuring the story and characters of the brilliant Dr. Seuss, integrated in children’s literature, language arts, poetry, music, drama, storytelling, and visual arts (and more!).

Students of teachers who took part in this year’s CITA cohort will attend the performance at Harvey Hall free of charge.

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Star-studded: Wakanda Elementary students create mosaics in partnership with UW-Stout (w/video)

DECEMBER 3RD 2016
ARTICLE BY: LEADER-TELEGRAM

MENOMONIE — Wakanda Elementary School 3rd-grader Skylar McLeod placed a glass tile on one of the white pillars in the school cafeteria.

The pillar is one of four decorated Thursday by all the elementary students and many staff members, and will depict each season.

The season-specific mosaics are part of an art project through Arts Integration Menomonie, and will be a permanent part of the school.

“I’m hoping they’ll like it,” McLeod said, when asked what she hopes future students will think of the tiles. “I’m hoping they will think our hard work was a good thing we did.”

Fellow student Zuma Hazwood said she enjoyed attaching tiles to the pillars.

“It reminds me of the summer and the seasons,” she said. “It’s fun.”

The tile project started in September and is expected to continue until late January, said Jeanne Styczinski, who designed the mosaics and serves on on the Arts Integration Menomonie executive board.

Two UW-Stout students, Marko Pechink and Olivia Revolinski, are teaching the elementary students how to tile as part of AIM’s Program for Arts Integration for New Teachers.

African Art Connection

Menomonie students, teachers make art with children in Botswana

NOVEMBER 2ND 2016
ARTICLE BY: UW-STOUT NEWS

LONG-DISTANCE CONNECTION. Menomonie children connect with children in Botswana via Skype during a PAINT International art session at the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts. At right is Megan Steinkraus, PAINT coordinator, Menomonie elementary art tea…

LONG-DISTANCE CONNECTION. Menomonie children connect with children in Botswana via Skype during a PAINT International art session at the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts. At right is Megan Steinkraus, PAINT coordinator, Menomonie elementary art teacher and UW-Stout alumna.

Arts Integration Menomonie is going outside of Menomonie – actually outside of the country – to bring new art experiences to children in the Menomonie school district.

This fall, AIM is hosting PAINT International on Saturdays at the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts. PAINT stands for Program for Arts Integration for New Teachers.

Each Saturday morning, local children from kindergarten through fifth grade create art under the direction of two UW-Stout art education students, Molly Brion, of Cameron, and Gabrielle Conway, of Rochester, Minnesota. UW-Stout alumni mentor the UW-Stout students.

During the sessions, the children connect via Skype with children in Letlhakeng, Botswana, Africa, who are working on the same art projects. The children renew friendships each week and compare their art.

Menomonie schoolchildren work with peers in Africa for art classes (w/video)

OCTOBER 12TH 2016
ARTICLE BY: LEADER-TELEGRAM

MENOMONIE — Menomonie second-grader Miranda Boerner used pastel colors to create a swirl of color, depicting motion.

She held her picture up to a computer camera to share it with students working on a similar project in Botswana, Africa. A student from Africa showed Boerner his picture.

Art becomes a catalyst for children across the globe to connect with one another.

Arts Integration Menomonie’s Program for Arts Integration for New Teachers is sponsoring the weekly art classes at the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts. The classes will be Saturdays through Dec. 10.

“There is really no language barrier,” said Tami Weiss, executive director of Arts Integration Menomonie. “They can communicate through a line, a color. You can still tell what the other person is feeling and saying.”

The idea to have children use video software and connect in real time and share artwork grew out of a former student of Weiss’ in La Crescent, Minn. Kirstin Benish, a Peace Corps volunteer, wanted to start a pen pal group to help children learn English in Botswana. The idea for the art project grew from that. AIM sent art materials to the children in Botswana.

International connection: AIM students, teachers make art with children in Botswana

OCTOBER 9TH 2016
ARTICLE BY: THE DUNN COUNTY NEWS

Arts Integration Menomonie is going outside of Menomonie — actually outside of the country — to bring new art experiences to children in the Menomonie school district.

This fall, AIM is hosting PAINT International on Saturdays at the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts. PAINT stands for Program for Arts Integration for New Teachers.

Each Saturday morning, local children from kindergarten through fifth grade create art under the direction of two University of Wisconsin-Stout art education students, Molly Brion, of Cameron, and Gabrielle Conway, of Rochester, Minn. UW-Stout alumni mentor the UW-Stout students.

During the sessions, the children connect via Skype with children in Letlhakeng, Botswana, Africa, who are working on the same art projects. The children renew friendships each week and compare their art.

 

 

C.I.T.A. Program Expands for 2016-17

A.I.M.'S CO-TEACHING ARTS PROGRAM EXPANDS IN 2016-17

JUNE 29TH 2016
ARTICLE BY: VOLUMEONE

Arts Integration Menomonie has named its CITA participants for the 2016-17 academic year, when it will expand to twice as many local elementary schools.

CITA — Co-Teaching In and Through the Arts — pairs local elementary teachers with professional artists. Through co-teaching, the teachers and teaching artists use various art forms to deliver standards-based curricula.

AIM’s mission is to use arts integration to support teachers, providing them with creative tools for instruction through the arts. The goal is to “increase the likelihood of retaining those educators in their teaching career,” said Tami Weiss, a University of Wisconsin-Stout assistant professor and executive director of AIM.

Co-Teaching Program Expands for 2016-17

CO-TEACHING PROGRAM EXPANDS IN 2016-17

JULY 1ST 2016
ARTICLE BY: THE DUNN COUNTY NEWS

Arts Integration Menomonie has named its CITA participants for the 2016-17 academic year, when it will expand to twice as many local elementary schools.

CITA — Co-Teaching In and Through the Arts — pairs local elementary teachers with professional artists. Through co-teaching, the teachers and teaching artists use various art forms to deliver standards-based curricula.

AIM’s mission is to use arts integration to support teachers, providing them with creative tools for instruction through the arts.

The goal is to “increase the likelihood of retaining those educators in their teaching career,” said Tami Weiss, a University of Wisconsin-Stout assistant professor and executive director of AIM.

AIM is a grant-funded collaborative program with UW-Stout, the School District of the Menomonie Area and the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts.

A.I.M. Expands for 2016-17

CO-TEACHING PROGRAM EXPANDS IN 2016-17

JUNE 29, 2016
ARTICLE BY: UW-STOUT

This will be the second year of CITA. “After our inaugural year with our CITA program, we are realizing the impact of arts integration in Menomonie’s schools. Rather than treating the arts as special, we treat the arts as an essential component within a school, including using the arts as a tool by which all teachers can engage students in fun and meaningful ways,” Weiss said.

Four Menomonie school district elementary schools will benefit from CITA in 2016-17. Downsville and Knapp are new to the program, joining Wakanda and River Heights. Through an application process, 11 educators and one UW-Stout early childhood education student teacher were selected as CITA participants.

Four of the selected teachers, all from River Heights, are returning for their second year in the program. “After seeing the direct impact the arts had on my students and myself, I couldn't resist to dive into another year with CITA,” kindergarten teacher Tanya Staatz said.