Local teacher helps shape art education across the state

GRUNDY CENTER – Earlier this month, Iowa became the last state in the nation to adopt a set of Fine Art Standards for schools across the state, thanks to the work of the Iowa Fine Arts Standards Adoption Team.
This team, which was formed under the Iowa Department of Education, was tasked with creating a series of concepts and skills designed to foster creativity and critical thinking in fine arts, which generally include visual art, general music, instrumental music, vocal music, theater, dance and media arts.
The team is made up of fine art teachers and professionals from across the state, including one local teacher – Ronda Sternhagen – who was chosen to co-facilitate the committee.
Sternhagen, Grundy Center Middle School and High School Art Instructor, says the team has been hard at work since the beginning of the year to craft these new standards, but really, the process began about a decade ago with a different committee Sternhagen was involved in.
“About 10 years ago, we started working and laying the groundwork for this, just getting people on board,” she said. “We ran into a few roadblocks then, but we just kept plugging away, and I think we were really happy with our work there and it fit flawlessly with the new standards.”
The fine arts new standards, unlike Iowa’s required academic standards –  which outline expectations for what students should know and be able to do in English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies and 21st century skills – focus on artistic processes. Those processes include creating, responding, presenting and connecting.
“Well-designed courses and activities in fine arts teach students life skills in addition to the obvious technical skills and appreciation for the arts,” Sternhagen said. “These fine arts standards will serve as a guide for Iowa educators as they develop curriculum, courses and classroom activities locally.”
For the full story, see this week's Grundy Register.