'The Jeb Bush Nobody Knows' - Part 20: An Open Letter to the FAEA [Endorse Gov. Bush!]

'The Jeb Bush Nobody Knows' - Part 20: An Open Letter to the FAEA [Endorse Gov. Bush!]

Written by summer - a former Dem, now an independent and a FL certified teacher

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For a list of outstanding FL students who received
Art Scholarships last year -- thanks to FL First Lady
Columba Bush -- click HERE.

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To: Nan Williams, nwilliam@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu
President, Executive Committee
Board of Directors
Florida Art Education Association
[a professional organization representing FL Art Teachers; known as "FAEA"]

Re: Why the FL Art Education Association Should Publicly Endorse Bush/Brogan 2002 NOW!

Dear Nan Williams:

I noticed FL's First Lady Columba Bush is currently accepting student applications for annual art scholarships, administered by the arts program she started here in FL.

I can't help but wonder: Isn't it perhaps time for your organization to publicly speak up in this on-going FL governor's race? And, to endorse the candidate who we all know has consistently publicly supported art teachers in this state?

You are obviously aware of the importance of the arts in education - and, remarkably, so are more and more of our nation's governors, as indicated in this press release from the National Governors Association:

Washington, D.C. - Arts education is a cost-effective way to help build the workforce of tomorrow, according to an issue brief produced by the National Governors Association (NGA). The report, The Impact of Arts Education on Workforce Preparation, provides examples of how arts-based education can build skills, increase academic success and lower the incidence of juvenile crime….

In addition, as you probably know, there is also a new national study, mentioned on the Kennedy Center's web site, focusing on the impact of the arts on learning :

A recent report, Champion of Change, compiles the results of seven major studies and provides important new evidence of enhanced learning and achievement when the arts are an integral part of the educational experience, both in and out of America's k-12 schools.

Among the findings:

Students with high levels of arts participation outperform "arts-poor" students on virtually every measure. Professor James Catterall of UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies found that sustained involvement in the arts correlates with success in other subjects and that connection is particularly strong between music and success in math.

The arts have measurable impact on students in "high-poverty" and urban settings. For example, the Chicago Public School District say significant student improvement in reading and mathematics in schools where Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education (CAPE) developed integrated curricula.

With more attention than ever before on education in this country, isn't it about time the Florida Art Education Association publicly let FL voters know of the very positive impact the Bush/Brogan administration has had on art education in this state? And, isn't it way past time we thank and recognize the outstanding work of FL's First Lady Columba Bush in this area?

Back in December 2000, First Lady Columba Bush's innovative arts program with the state's arts organization, FL Alliance for Arts Education, was nationally recognized by the Kennedy Center, as explained HERE:

KCAAEN [The Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network]
State Alliance Recognition Program
Special Achievement in the Area of Community Connections
Arts for a Complete Education/Florida Alliance for Arts Education

The NGC [National Governance Committee] voted to recognize ACE/Florida Alliance for Arts Education for their work with Florida's first Lady including the First Lady's Recognition Program. In the summer of 1999, ACE/FAAE representatives were invited to meet with the Governor and First Lady to discuss the development of a program to utilize First Lady Columba Bush's interest in promoting arts education. As a result of this meeting, ACE/FAAE assigned a task force and created a program consistent with the ACE/FAAE mission and the desires of the Governor's office.

This program, now in its second year, promotes school arts programs through site visits with Florida's First Lady and offers scholarships in all artistic disciplines to select graduating seniors for continued study in the arts. Students and teachers are recognized in an awards ceremony at the Governor's Mansion at the State Capitol. Scholarship winners are profiled in a publication highlighting awardees and school sites toured. According to the Alliance, Mrs. Bush's presence and attention to arts education in schools throughout this program is making a difference in raising the profile of arts education in school districts.

Also, national media has noted First Lady Columba Bush's involvement with art students, as she has honored FL art students taking college level art courses in high school. These students now have their art work shown in a FL museum, as reported September 2002 in this USA Today article:

An exhibition representing the best of the Advanced Placement Studio Art classes last year will be displayed Sept. 15-24 at the Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami…Florida first lady Columba Bush will honor the artists and teachers at the opening…

Here in FL, art teachers see Gov Bush as a supporter of the arts, as evidenced in this Winter 2001 article published in your organization's newsletter "Fresh Paint." The FL art teacher who wrote this article praised First Lady Columba Bush, Katherine Harris -- and FL Gov Jeb Bush:

"…I knew that Jeb is also a supporter of the arts because two years prior, he visited my classroom where one of my students presented him with an 'official' gubernatorial portrait…."

Finally, in this time of war and conflict around the world, voters should know that internationally, First Lady Columba Bush has also made an impact on the arts education of US students and others. She has strengthened international friendships with art students abroad, as she did in a recent visit to Japan, as explained HERE.

Mrs. Columba Bush and ACE/FAAE Travel to Japan for the The International Youth Cultural Exchange

Mrs. Columba Bush's journey into the world of arts education continues, as she extends the focus of her Arts Recognition Program to include a celebration of Florida's sister-state relationship with the Wakayama Prefecture Government in Japan.

Annually Mrs. Bush's Arts Recognition Program recognized 24 high school students from all arts disciplines, with a $1,000 scholarship. Nearly 400 applications poured in to the ACE/FAAE office; narrowing the pool to 24 recipients proved difficult, given the high levels of achievement evidenced by arts students. From this year's 24 recipients, students achieving the highest ratings in Music and Dance were selected to serve as ambassadors.

As a FL certified teacher who is also an advocate of the arts in education, it is distressing for me to see tv commercial after tv commercial of a FL Dem gov candidate falsely claiming all FL teachers endorse him. What has he done for art teachers and art students? Does he have anything remotely resembling the outstanding track record of First Lady Columba Bush in the arts?

If the Florida Art Education Association says "nothing" in this FL governor's race, then perhaps "nothing" is exactly what a future administration of whatever political party will someday do for students interested in the arts.

Consequently, please consider having the Florida Art Education Association publicly endorse Bush/Brogan 2002 in this FL governor's race, so more people will learn of First Lady Columba Bush's outstanding work in the arts for teachers and students.

Your organization's endorsement will send a clear message that such outstanding efforts promoting the arts are expected to continue -- regardless of which party or candidate occupies the FL governor's mansion now or at anytime in the future.

To remain silent in this race, when there is so much good news about the arts and the Jeb Bush administration to share with FL voters, would be a missed opportunity at educating the public about the importance of the arts.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.

Sincerely,

summer, a FL certified teacher

My pleasure:

As a part of her ongoing visits to outstanding arts education programs in Florida's schools, Mrs. Bush visited Mt. Dora High School on May 15. This important aspect of the First Lady's Arts Recognition Program continues to touch and change many lives throughout Florida. The following report of the May 15 visit was provided by Jennifer Coolidge, Executive Director of the DeLand Museum of Art.

It was a special day with visiting artist, Alberto Gomez's presentation to the students at Mt. Dora High School. He is pictured in front of his paintings and in photos with his wife Luz Stella Gomez. Alberto Gomez is originally from Columbia and does artist residencies in schools and with communities. He was the featured artist of the Orlando Museum of Art last month and has had a solo exhibition at the DeLand Museum of Art. He is known for his mural work and will be exhibiting a mural he did with students in the Art Learning Gallery in Tallahassee slated for August, 2003 as a part of the Creativity for Freedom Student Exhibition. The same mural will be exhibited at the Pentagon in Washington as a part of Partners of the Americas program. He is pictured in the photos presenting the portrait he did of Mrs.Columba Bush to her.

Thank you for your common sense and optimism. I should know by now through you that there are certainly exceptions to every rule, and eyes can be opened. (^:

Just wanted to say HELLO! and keep up the wonderful work you are doing on FR. Funny how more people are seeing that Jeb Bush actually is a gold nugget in a pile of coal.

Most politicians I wouldn't trust with a bag of rocks, but I think Floridians are very lucky to have this man as governor. He truly seems to be interested and involved in dealing with the problems in Florida, and in the value of educating our children to the best of our ability.

MAIL TO LIST -- COPY AND PASTE IN TO

nwilliam@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu
krepps_p@popmail.firn.edu
artc_fish@yahoo.com
Sue_Froemming@places.pcsb.org
smithc4@ocps.k12.fl.us
im4kidsart@hotmail.com
daltonb@citrus.k12.fl.us
Brubaker_b@firn.edu
dillenn@brevardcc.fl.edu
matthewsj@educationcentral.org
null_L@firn.edu
nkiffer@cfl.rr.com
Pmiles@Volusia.k12.fl.us
bernaub@ufl.edu
heatherrayius@aol.com
melanie@fbcwpb.org
gaineyb@ocps.k12.fl.us
june.hinckley@fldoe.org
sandy.dilger@fldoe.org
cuellaj@ocps.k12.fl.us
massej@bellsouth.net

As a FL certified teacher who is also an advocate of the arts in education, it is distressing for me to see tv commercial after tv commercial of a FL Dem gov candidate falsely claiming all FL teachers endorse him. What has he done for art teachers and art students? Does he have anything remotely resembling the outstanding track record of First Lady Columba Bush in the arts?

Bump!

What does BUMP mean?

It means you want to bump the article back to the top of the lists (shown at the side of the articles page) so that others will know it has value and is worth reading.

Articles are listed in order of how many comments they received that day. By writing "bump or "bttt" (bump to the top), you in effect make a comment.

I emailed Nan Williams, FAEA, as you suggested. As Paula Abdul on "American Idol" would say, "I made it my own" with the following inclusion:

"As a Florida citizen, I recognize the importance of art in a complete education. When the school district eliminated the art teachers in a cost-cutting effort (in another state), a friend and I volunteered as the art teachers for grades 1-6 in our daughters' school. I mention this to illustrate my support for a Governor and First Lady who demonstrate the same commitment to the arts. Thank goodness education is a priority issue for Florida voters and the endorsement of the FAEA will help continue the contribution this Governor and First Lady of Florida make to the arts."

Actually a true story. I'm a contradiction to the stereotypical artsy=liberal. My friend and I both had an art background and belonged to the Art Guild, so took on this nine-month-long activity with some knowledge and resources. I can honestly say it was one of the most enjoyable years of my life (so far).

Please ping me if the art teachers association ever endorses a Republican. It would be an earthquake. They are probably about 95% Democrats.

patriciaruth, I agree it would be an earthquake - even worthy of a tv commercial from Gov Bush's camapign. But the facts are as follows: the new executive director, Fran Massey, has publicly praised Columba Bush and worked closely with her. And, not all FL art teachers are Dems, as evidenced by the article by a FL art teacher I linked to - and, which the FAEA published. The FAEA would be smart to endorse Gov Bush in light of all his wife has done, and I think it is possible they will. I will ping you if that happens. Thanks for your post. I understand your perspective, but I think an earthquake may happen. :)

...Funny how more people are seeing that Jeb Bush actually is a gold nugget in a pile of coal.

Most politicians I wouldn't trust with a bag of rocks, but I think Floridians are very lucky to have this man as governor. He truly seems to be interested and involved in dealing with the problems in Florida, and in the value of educating our children to the best of our ability.

BTTT to your comments above, and also thanks for your kind words to me, UCANSEE2. Always nice to see you on a thread! :)

Re your post #93 - BTTT!!! WOW!!!!!! And, thank you so much, windchime!

Also, if it is not too much trouble, please email your comments there and this thread's URL to Fran Massey -- as she is the FAEA's new executive director and has publicly praised Columba Bush (and worked closely with Columba Bush):

massej@bellsouth.net

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