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.

New Chapter brings new adventures...........

Just last week I began a new chapter in my educator adventures, I transferred from Grasso Tech in Groton to Ellis Tech in Danielson! It is a bittersweet change for me. I remember walking into my classroom at Grasso for the first time. It was so horrid!!!  It had an accordion wall dividing my room from the other art teacher, a very tiny bathroom vanity type of sink, no white board, no blackboard, just a hobbled together flip chart pad. And to put the cherry on the top of the cake, the only supplies I had were a pair of scissors, a couple old wooden rulers and some copy paper! I am surprised I didn't run out of the building screaming!

Don't let my opening fool you, I loved my classroom and my students!! My time at Grasso helped shape the type of teacher I am today! I learned the importance of connecting with my students, which enabled me to design lessons around their interests, and offer them a place where they felt comfortable trying new things. To some walking by my room, a place of organized chaos, they might not have understood what was happening in 411. But my students did.

Over my years there, I got a real wall, new to me tables, a Smartboard, additional cabinets and a larger sink! It took me awhile, but finally built up a nice collection of art supplies, on top of the consumables like paper and paint. My students and I repurposed old bulletin boards and created paintings on them which hang all over the school; and lets not forget the murals in the shop wing! We took field trips to The Met in NYC, The Wadsworth in Hartford, Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, and Washington, D.C.!

But there comes a time in every great adventure, when it is time to move on to the next challenge. That time for me is now. I want to thank my students and colleagues at Grasso Tech. You will be missed, but you have left an indelible mark on my heart.

Support the Grasso Tech Rifle Team

Thank you for the support of the Young Artists' Society and the PFO with your purchase of Yankee Candles! This fundraiser enables students who wish to attend the Washington DC field trip the opportunity to earn money to help defray the cost.

Won't you consider supporting the Grasso Tech Rifle Team in their Citrus Fundraiser! This fundraiser helps the Rifle Team has to purchase needed supplies and equipment.