BTSALP Appropriations SY22

“I am the Lorax and I speak for the trees.” In my case, “I am a Visual Arts Coach and I speak for the Arts!”  Legislation moves fast and furious during the month of February. Previously I spoke about H.B.0234 and H.B.0273, bills which impact all educators. Now, I wish to bring your attention to requested appropriations which affect ALL of us as Utah fine art educators, specifically, a funding request in front of the Education Appropriations Committee concerning the Beverly Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program (BTS Arts). Currently, they have a $3.2 million dollar ask in front of the committee, funding which will provide for at least 30 additional BTS Arts teachers across the state.

I am an educator at Whitehorse High School, a 7th - 12th grade public school located in the Navajo Nation. San Juan School District is one of five districts that do not currently have a BTS Arts teacher at the elementary level… I wish to change this for my district as well as other underserved schools across the State of Utah. Every school can benefit from not just keeping the arts alive in our schools, but allowing the benefits of arts-integrated learning to spread across all content areas. Middle and secondary educators greatly benefit from elementary students coming into their programs with visual literacy, communication, collaboration and other creative skills the arts imbue. In addition to these Portrait of a Graduate competencies, according to the BTS Arts Program, “Not only do the arts help improve academic learning, they also play a huge role in positively affecting students’ overall wellbeing and personal growth.”

Here is how you can make a difference! Provided is a link to the legislators who serve on the Education Appropriation Committee. A link to a BTS Arts Letter of Support Template supports you in the construction of an appropriate email in support of this funding. Reach out to parents, students, and others impacted who have experienced the great results BTS Arts educators have achieved! Let our senators and representatives know how deeply we care about arts learning for ALL Utah’s children!

Georgiana Kennedy Simpson

Visual Arts Coach/Sterling Scholar Adviser/Leadership Team/Mentor Teacher/10th Grade Lead

Whitehorse High School (7th - 12th): Teacher of the Year, SY17 and SY22

Hope Street Group/Utah Teacher Fellow

Sorenson Legacy Award for Excellence in Arts Education: 2020 Outstanding Secondary Level

San Juan School District Fine Arts Lead

Utah Art Education Association, Rural & Underserved Populations Advocacy Chair

Mother of Two Well-Educated, Well-Balanced College Students/Human Beings