Meet
the Director
Mrs. Michelle Devine, Instrumental Music Director
I began my teaching career in 2003 after graduating from the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor’s degree in music education. I started my career teaching in an elementary school as an arts integration specialist, band and general music teacher for grades K-5. After two years of elementary, I moved to the junior high level teaching general music where I have been for the past 9 years. This past June, I was awarded the position of junior high instrumental director for Gorton Junior High School.
In 2010 I received my National Board Certification in band. This was an arduous task, but one that was extremely rewarding and helped me to grow as an educator. In 2012 I completed my Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a Specialization in Arts Integration. I am very passionate about this work and believe the arts serve not only as core subjects themselves, but also as gateways into all areas of education. I have published articles about the history, benefits and data supporting arts integration. I have also presented at local NAFME (National Association for Music Education) conferences, sharing strategies and tools for music educators.
I have done a lot of work with curriculum design at the national, state and local levels. I was a member of the music proficiency writing team for the State of Rhode Island, creating graduation music proficiency requirements for all senior high school students. I have served twice as a member of the curriculum writing team for the district, creating the K-12 music curriculum for the Warwick School Department. Here I used my knowledge and experience from the state graduation proficiencies committee to assist the district in aligning the curriculum and objectives to the state graduation requirements. I am currently serving on a performance task committee, evaluating teacher and district initiated performance assessment tasks for grades 7-8. I recently completed my work on a national writing team creating the new Common Core Standards for Music Education. This year I will be piloting the cornerstone assessments for both band and general music as part of the national Common Core Standards initiative.
I am an oboe player and have performed with small chamber groups throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts. I served as Vice President of the American Band, a local concert band out of Providence, Rhode Island made up of music educators from throughout the state. Although I still practice regularly, my performance time has taken a short break as I have a 3 year old son named Riley and a little one arriving in October. My passion for music education and my family keep me both very happy and very busy! I look forward to working with, learning from and getting to know you all.
Best Wishes on a Great School Year!
Michelle Devine
Mrs. Michelle Devine, Instrumental Music Director
I began my teaching career in 2003 after graduating from the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor’s degree in music education. I started my career teaching in an elementary school as an arts integration specialist, band and general music teacher for grades K-5. After two years of elementary, I moved to the junior high level teaching general music where I have been for the past 9 years. This past June, I was awarded the position of junior high instrumental director for Gorton Junior High School.
In 2010 I received my National Board Certification in band. This was an arduous task, but one that was extremely rewarding and helped me to grow as an educator. In 2012 I completed my Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a Specialization in Arts Integration. I am very passionate about this work and believe the arts serve not only as core subjects themselves, but also as gateways into all areas of education. I have published articles about the history, benefits and data supporting arts integration. I have also presented at local NAFME (National Association for Music Education) conferences, sharing strategies and tools for music educators.
I have done a lot of work with curriculum design at the national, state and local levels. I was a member of the music proficiency writing team for the State of Rhode Island, creating graduation music proficiency requirements for all senior high school students. I have served twice as a member of the curriculum writing team for the district, creating the K-12 music curriculum for the Warwick School Department. Here I used my knowledge and experience from the state graduation proficiencies committee to assist the district in aligning the curriculum and objectives to the state graduation requirements. I am currently serving on a performance task committee, evaluating teacher and district initiated performance assessment tasks for grades 7-8. I recently completed my work on a national writing team creating the new Common Core Standards for Music Education. This year I will be piloting the cornerstone assessments for both band and general music as part of the national Common Core Standards initiative.
I am an oboe player and have performed with small chamber groups throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts. I served as Vice President of the American Band, a local concert band out of Providence, Rhode Island made up of music educators from throughout the state. Although I still practice regularly, my performance time has taken a short break as I have a 3 year old son named Riley and a little one arriving in October. My passion for music education and my family keep me both very happy and very busy! I look forward to working with, learning from and getting to know you all.
Best Wishes on a Great School Year!
Michelle Devine