Master Teacher Program 2020-2021

Accepting applications for the Master Teacher Program June 1-24, 2020

Side x Side Master Teachers:

• Host professional teaching artists in their classroom.
• Receive budget support for visiting community experts and art supplies.
• Participate in our annual professional development, the Summer Arts Institute (SAI).
• Join a cohort of inspired classroom teachers who are committed to arts integration.
• Collaborate on two projects with teaching artists – Project #1 is led by teaching artists, Project #2 is a smaller integrated arts lesson led by the Master Teacher (with planning support from Side x Side staff and teaching artists).
• Earn a $600 stipend for planning work and participation in the Master Teacher program.

Criteria to apply: 

• Must have attended one SAI and completed one program with Side x Side in the past.

Master Teacher Program Schedule, Criteria, and Expectations: 

June 1: Master Teacher application opens. All Portland and Connors elementary teachers who have previously been part of a Side x Side program are invited to apply. > Apply now  

June 24: Master Teacher applications CLOSE.

July 1: Teachers are notified of acceptance into the program and will be paired with a Teaching Artist for 2020-21 school year programming. 

July – September: Project design begins 

• Teachers receive access to digital resources on new Teacher Portal: arts integration best practices; support on co-teaching with your artist; SEL connections; project reflection tips; video tutorials on art techniques; sample lesson plans; standards alignment, etc.
• Teaching Artist and Master Teacher pairs meet virtually to start initial project planning and record ideas on digital planning sheets. Planning Sheet Part I due by August 30.
• Teachers receive first stipend for their planning work and commitment to participate in the MT program ($300) rendered upon planning sheet completion.
• Master Teachers are paired with a fellow mentor or mentee teacher from Portland or Lewiston schools. This mentor/mentee relationship is crucial to growing and supporting arts integration in Maine.

Fall: Saturday, September 26 Attend the September Arts Institute (replacing the Summer Arts Institute this year). FMI and to register click here. Second payment for attendance ($300) is rendered post Institute.

Fall – Spring 2020-21:

• Arts-integrated programs begin. Project #1 is collaboratively planned and implemented between Teaching Artist and Master Teacher and Project #2 is a second smaller integrated arts lesson independently implemented by the Master Teacher, with support from Teaching Artist.
• May receive in-class support from USM interns or Bates College “CEL” (Community-engaged learning) students (Lewiston’s Connors Elementary School only).
  
• Receive funding for a presentation by a visiting community expert and a materials/supplies budget (total amount determined by project scope).

> Apply to be a Master Teacher by June 24.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What/who is Side x Side?
Side x Side ignites academic excellence in education through comprehensive arts integration, bringing critical thinking, creativity, and innovation into the classroom through arts-based programs. Through community partnerships with the University of Southern Maine, the Portland and Lewiston public school departments, and local artists, professionals, and colleges, Side x Side integrates science, technology, literacy, and the humanities with the arts to enhance school curricula.

If I was a Master Teacher this year can I apply to be one again in 2020/2021
Yes!

If I am a Connors teacher and had a program in my classroom 2019-20 can I apply to the program?
Yes!

What does it mean to mentor a teacher?

• Mentors are paired with a teacher new to integrating the arts in their classroom. 
• Mentors share their planning/program materials with their teacher mentee.
• Side x Side will provide substitute teacher coverage for up to two classroom observations.
• Mentors will communicate with their mentees at least two times in-person (observations, and/or electronically (email, FaceTime/Google Hangouts) before May 2021.

What are the benefits of becoming a Master Teacher?
2020/2021 Master Teachers receive:

• Stipend *CEUs or Contact Hours for SAI available upon request.
• Two funded arts integrated lessons
• In-class support from teaching artists and USM education interns.

Why should I apply to this program?
Arts integration offers a research-based teaching method to reach all students in your classroom, deepening engagement, creating equity, and building a strong learning environment. This program offers collaborative support in lesson planning, implementation, and assessment of arts-integrated units. Participating as a Master teacher gives you a supportive team as you lead the way in arts-integrated curricula.

What is the Summer Arts Institute all about?
Our Summer Arts Institutes are professional development programs which provide research-based support and education on integrating the arts into PreK–5 classrooms. Artists and educators from across Maine embark on creative thinking and learning through studio-based art workshops, networking, and idea sharing. Each year the Institute is reimagined with new offerings to provide attendees an opportunity to experience the most relevant hands-on creative processes. The Institute is free to all Portland teachers and Lewiston’s Connors Elementary School teachers. 

What is the time commitment to be a Master Teacher?
Master Teacher projects will vary in time commitment based on the scope of the program design, your experience with arts integration, and class size. You can expect to spend approximately 10-20 hours over the course of the academic year in collaborative planning, professional development (our annual Arts Institute), and mentor/mentee relationships. In-class project sessions can range from 4-8 hours total. 

What if I want to work with a fellow classroom teacher or specialist?
It is possible to collaborate with other teachers or specialists in your grade. Please reference this in your application.

What if I want Side x Side in my classroom but don’t want to become a Master Teacher?
There are two ways to bring Side x Side into your classroom: 1.) Become a Master Teacher or 2.) Inquire about our for-hire programs.

> Apply to be a Master Teacher by June 24.