Long-time Milford art educator retires after 42 years
MILFORD – The Annual Milford
Public Schools Art Show has become a favorite event in Milford with hundreds of
students and their parents touring the halls of the Parsons Complex to view the
student pieces on display. While
attendees enjoyed the elementary art show opening in March, it was the formal
announcement of long-time art educator Frank Vespi’s retirement that took center
stage during the show’s opening ceremony.
Mr. Vespi’s retirement will be effective at the end of this school year.
Vespi,
a 42-year veteran of the Milford Public School system, was honored by art
teachers across the district with the dedication of the Elementary Art Show to
him for his selfless service to the students of Milford for more than four
decades. To further credit Mr. Vespi for
his life’s work, five of his students were selected to have replications of
their artwork featured on the covers of the art show programs this year. For those in attendance, it was a teary
affirmation of the work Vespi has done for the district and a show of appreciation
for this man who has been a friend to many: parents, teachers, and students,
alike.
In
addition to teaching students in Milford, Vespi served as the department chair
for art in the Milford school district for the past 40 years. Vespi was
responsible for preparing the annual operating budget for the discipline,
ensuring teachers had ample opportunity for professional development and
support, and worked with teachers to further refine curriculum and delivery of
it to students. He was instrumental in putting together the annual art shows
and for making sure art had a ‘presence’ in all student’s lives, grades K-12.
Throughout
the span of his career, Mr. Vespi has seen a great many changes take place –
all for the betterment of education in our district. At the beginning of his career in 1970, art
teachers did not have a dedicated classroom space in which to teach their
students. Rather, teachers toured
through the building using a cart that carried all the supplies for the lesson
of the day. Today, schools have
dedicated classroom space for art instruction.
In the early part of his teaching career, Mr. Vespi notes kindergarten
students did not have art classes at all; art teachers instructed a wider range
of students (for example, the elementary configuration back then went up to 8th
grade), and computer technology was not even invented yet (and, therefore,
neither was graphic- or computer-generated art!).
Mr.
Vespi points to several key innovations that have helped drive art forward in
Milford over the years. He considers the
annual trip to the New Britain Museum of American Art for all 5th
grade students in the district a highlight, as well as the development of the
District Art Show that occurs each spring in the Parsons Complex. Vespi was instrumental in having an operating
kiln and materials housed in every school.
He notes that with ever-developing technology, improvements have been
seen in new paints, glazes, and other materials over the years and is pleased
with the evolution of the field he has seen up to the present.
Vespi
notes that one of the most rewarding aspects of his career is seeing dozens of
former students who went on to pursue a career in art. In addition, he said it’s an honor that
several of his former students are now his colleagues, as fellow art teachers
here in Milford.
Superintendent of Schools Elizabeth
Feser commented on Vespi’s noteworthy career.
“I have known Frank for only one year, but in that short time I have
seen evidence of his influence on the quality of the art program in the Milford
Public Schools. Students and staff alike have benefitted enormously from
his excellent teaching, his passion for art, and his consummate
professionalism. Milford is so fortunate to have had Frank dedicate his
career to its children.”
Assistant Superintendent Michael
Cummings said “Mr. Vespi is a first rate teacher. He has a strong
understanding of his content area, a passion for his work, and a love for
children. He has always advocated for public displays of student work and
has spent many hours crafting our highly successful art displays. We have
been very fortunate for his contributions as a teacher and as an instructional
leader.”
As
for retirement plans, Frank and his wife of 38 years, Pattie, will be leaving
Connecticut for the sunny skies of North Carolina. With three grown children now on their own,
the couple is ready to embark on the next part of their life’s journey.
Milford Board of Education spokeswoman Kathy Bonetti wrote the above press release.
Comments
Post a Comment