Opening Minds Through the Arts - OMA

Collaboration makes beautiful music!

The OMA network of over 150 principals, Arts Integration Specialists and Teaching Artists met for their biannual Collaboration Meeting to hear preliminary reports from consultant Donn Poll as he develops a five year strategic plan for the OMA program. Donn, an independent, consultant from New North, has recently relocated from Minneapolis to Tucson.

Donn’s opening comments focused on the innovative design structure of OMA and that each member of an OMA school must step into his/her own individual role to make the model effective. He offered his objective perspectives about OMA and then outlined an interactive self assessment on the qualities we hold ourselves to when considering OMA’s implementation. This self assessment helped the Collaborative Team members rate their school as to the effectiveness of OMA. The results will be compiled and presented to the OMA Design Team for further refinement of the OMA Program.

This Collaboration Meeting was a sterling example of the kind of fantastic and engaging dialogue that created and continues to improve the OMA program. The Principals', Arts Integration Specialists', and Teaching Artists' fully-engaged participation in these meetings generates the ideas and concepts that the Fine Arts and OMA staff use to build and refine OMA professional development.

Download a pdf of the OMA "Gold" Standards' dialogue results here. Download a pdf which shows the compilation of the "Gold" Standards by all nine groups here.

Donn Poll facilitates strategic planning, provides ongoing strategic counsel to organization leaders and delivers communication planning and management services. He is a consultant and strategist for organizations that are increasing their performance by focusing on the critical relationships that define their abilities to thrive.

Donn has bachelors degrees (cum laude, Minnesota State University) in mass communications and design. He started his career as a daily newspaper editor, a weekly newspaper co-owner and a corporate trade editor. For 20 years he ran The Poll Group, a marketing communication agency that provided contract and project services to corporate and public sector clients. He has also involved himself in a number of entrepreneurial enterprises, developing venture business plans and assisting startups. Since 2001 he has provided consulting and contract services to public agencies and nonprofit organizations.

He has been a speaker and teacher at college and high school journalism settings nationally as a board member of the National Scholastic Press Association and through the Columbia (University) Scholastic Press Association. Donn has served on the boards of nonprofit and professional organizations.

OMA is a nationally recognized research-based program that integrates the arts into teaching reading, writing, math and science in public elementary and middle schools. Currently, over 19,000 students and 700 teachers in 44 schools in the Tucson Unified School District are participating in the OMA program working with 53 Teaching Artists. OMA staff is available for consultation with other school districts as well. OMA works!

OMA Foundation is seeking a new Executive Director. More...

Fine Arts Summer Institute and Teaching Artist Summer Institute

Session II: Monday, July 28 - Friday, August 1

Registration Form (click here to download)

Session will be held at Booth/Fickett Magnet School (click here for map)

Registration deadline is Monday, July 14, 2008 - space is limited - register early! Registrations received late will be subject to a late charge of $25.00.

No refunds after May 19th and July 21st

Catered lunches are available - see registation form for details