Mississippi Arts Commission: News

MAC Welcomes new whole schools initiative director

DATE:        July 14, 2011 

CONTACT:    Susan Dobbs, Public Relations Director

601/359-6031, sdobbs@arts.state.ms.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Jackson, Miss. - The Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC) has named Jodie Engle of Hattiesburg as the agency’s new Whole Schools Initiative Director.

“Jodie not only has a passion for the arts, but she is totally committed to the concept of integrating the arts across the curriculum to enhance the education of Mississippi’s children,” said Malcolm White, Executive Director of MAC. “She brings a wealth of experience to the position that will help us keep arts education at the forefront across this state.”

Engle has a Bachelor of Arts degree from The Ohio State University in theatre.  She has enjoyed acting, teaching, writing and directing for over 20 years and has worked as a professional actor and teaching artist in Ohio and Mississippi. As an actor in Ohio, Jodie worked for the Columbus Children’s Theatre and the Center of Science and Technology (COSI).  Having been an event planner for the Ohio Arts Council, she brings to her new position valuable knowledge of the inner-workings of a state arts agency.  Throughout these experiences, arts in education influenced Jodie’s work and growth early in her career. As a teaching artist in Mississippi, Jodie has spent time working in schools to integrate the arts in classrooms through model lessons and teacher workshops with the Whole Schools Initiative, Mississippi Readers Association and the Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education.

“Mississippi has a wealth of talented, passionate and inspiring educators, artists and parents whom I look forward to working with on this important component to our children’s education,”  stated Engle.  “Joining the Mississippi Arts Commission and being a part of the Whole Schools Initiative is an opportunity that doesn’t come along often.  I am excited to collaborate and grow the arts integration movement throughout the state.”

Engle will begin her duties as WSI Director by presiding over the Whole Schools Summer Institute being held July 18-21, 2011 at the MSU Riley Center in Meridian.  Approximately 300 teachers, artists and administrators from more than 40 schools will gather in Meridian to study everything from book-making to Native American and African American traditional music forms.  The Institute’s highly professional training will give educators the inspiration, knowledge and art skills to lead their students toward the goal of reaching their full academic potential. 

The Mississippi Arts Commission is a state agency funded by the Mississippi Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Riley Foundation, the Phil Hardin Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation, the Mississippi Endowment for the Arts at the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson and other private sources. MAC is the official grants-making and service agency for the arts in Mississippi.  The agency serves as an active supporter and promoter of arts in community life and in arts education.

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