Why art? What does art mean?

I often speak with my students about art, well of course, I am an art teacher. Being an artist, and an art teacher is the best part about who I am as a person! Trying to be kind and finding the good in everyone, even if it is difficult, is another big part of being me. But, making art and the intent behind it, the message you are sending about yourself and your work is often tough for someone to talk about, teenagers especially.

An artist friend of mine shared with me this video clip, Bill Hurshman, aka.Colonel Substitute for all you Grasso Tech people. Bill is one of those people I enjoy speaking with. Being an artist himself, he "gets" my program philosophy, and also enjoys watching students work through the creative process.

Anyway, enjoy this video clip, and then do yourself a favor. Go make some art!!

Artist Tony O'Brien speaking about his work

Way to go Mr.LaMontagne!!!

Ellis Tech Library Media Specialist, Mr. Todd LaMontagne, awarded $6000 grant

for books purchases from Scholastic Publications and author James Patterson.  Mr. LaMontagne applied for the grant on behalf of Ellis Tech this past spring.  The award is an outstanding honor and a major investment in the Ellis Tech library book collection!! 

Keep on being Awesome...... Mr. LaMontagne!!

Ellis Tech Patterson Scholarship Full Story

Field Day 2015

One of the highlights of Field Day 2015.... was the Tug-o-War between the winning shop team and the Faculty. I am happy to say the Faculty won. Just shows that cooperation and teamwork happens inside and outside the building!

Career Development Mock Job Interview Day May 8, 2015

One of the adventures that I have been on since transferring up to Ellis Tech in Danielson, is to teach Career Development until the end of the year. It has been an interesting transition for sure, going from my old school to a new one, coupled with teaching CDL instead of Art . I can say with absolute confidence, that I am an Art Teacher to the core, but CDL is about life skills and preparing for employment, interviewing and obtaining jobs, and that I have experience in.

One of the best ways to prepare students for job interviewing is to simulate the whole interview process. What better way then to hold a Mock Job Interview Day! Mrs. Moed-Klein, my fellow CDL Teacher, has been the driving force behind this for the last few years. She deserves lots of thanks!
I wanted to share the rubric the HR personnel that the businesses will be using!.

EAMA Video Challenge

All are invited to the Film Festival to view and celebrate 

the ingenuity of the students from all the schools!! 

Ellis Tech Golden Eagles Video Team..

Please take a moment to view Ellis Tech Golden Eagle’s Video Challenge Team’s  entry for EAMA’s “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?” video competition.

  http://eamainc.org/2015videocompetition/ 

The voting window runs from April 6th- April 17th 

You may vote once per day. 

Thank you for your support!

CTHSS Art Program of Studies

Greetings All~

I am very excited to be reinvigorating the Art Department at H.H. Ellis Tech!! As with any new programs, all students will begin with Elements of Art class. In subsequent years it is hoped we will expand the program based upon student interests. For a sneak peak of what is to come starting Fall of 2015. Check out the CTHSS Art Program of Studies.