| Elaine C. Klein, Principal
elaine.klein@artswestschool.org |
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Elaine C. Klein, a Boise resident, has been named principal. Klein brings 43 years of experience as an English and drama teacher, junior high and high school assistant principal and principal, and central office administrator. She earned her B.A. in English and Education from the University of Puget Sound, M.A. in English from the University of Washington and Administrative Credentials from Seattle University and Western Washington University. She served as principal of Mountlake Terrace High School in the Edmonds School District in Washington State and was named the 1997 Washington State Principal of the Year. She then served as Executive Director of Community Services for Frederick County Public Schools in Maryland, she oversaw four departments and served as a liaison to community agencies and organizations and higher education. |
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PHILOSOPHY"When I was in the ninth grade, I had to do a Career Notebook. In it I had to reflect on why I had chosen my career, to be a teacher. I wrote I wanted to be a teacher because it seemed to me that teachers always had to be learning, and I loved to learn. My dream came true. I have been blessed with a fulfilling career, and I have become what is now described as a “lifelong learner.” What I envision for Arts West is that we become a community of learners, faculty and students together, striving for excellence in the arts and academics, supporting each other in our quest for distinction. I look forward to our tearing down the ‘silos’ that isolate the disciplines, finding new ways to integrate the arts and academics, perceiving the connections among all knowledge. I want all of our students to walk joyfully down the pathway of lifelong learning and high achievement." |
Innovative Ideas and Areas of Expertise
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| Justin Nielsen, Artistic Director
fingersnielsen@gmail.com |
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Justin Nielsen, co founder and co director of ArtsWest, will direct the music department. Justin has been a major figure in the Treasure Valley music scene for many years. A multi-dimensional musician and educator, he is equally at home playing, composing, or teaching a wide array of musical styles. In all of these capacities, Justin has been called upon to perform or give workshops at Universities, Festivals, and Conventions around the country, including the Gene Harris Jazz Festival, the International Festival of Creative Pianists, The National Band Association Convention to name a few. He is a two-time winner at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival and a selectee for the Young Composer's Competition. As a freelancer, Justin has been called to play with jazz greats Kevin Mahogany, John Stowell, Mike Vax, Brent Jensen, Jeff Baker, Sandon Mayhew, Jay Lawrence, and many others. |
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PHILOSOPHY"I believe that the Arts are for everybody. Whether you are planning on becoming a doctor, teacher, or start your own business, you cannot afford to go through life without understanding the joy of creating art. It is important for students to be invited into a positive, inclusive, creativity-fostering environment where they can be encouraged to grow as an artist. This is an exciting experience that can nourish every facet of a person's life: personal, academic, spiritual, and social. As a teacher, it is my job to create that environment, sit back, and watch students do more than they ever thought they could." |