York Town News
York High School teacher honored by the state
By Jennifer L. Saunders
YORK - When Governor John E. Baldacci and First Lady Karen Baldacci lauded York High School's Rob Westerberg among exceptional arts educators from across the state, the news came as no surprise to local officials.Westerberg, who is York High School's music director, focused not on being cited as one of the state's best arts educators, but instead on the work of his students and the support of the York School Department of the visual and performing arts.
Westerberg praised Superintendent of Schools Dr. Henry Scipione, Curriculum Coordinator Dr. Maryann Minard, Principal Bob Stevens and his fellow faculty members of the years of work to create a program that encompasses vocal and instrumental music, visual and performing arts.
Scipione and Stevens, meanwhile, said it is educators like Westerberg who make the program what it is.
"I pride myself in not throwing superlatives around. I think they're overused," Stevens said, adding, "The reason I don't throw them around is they should be used for special moments, and Rob is one of those special moments. He is a special person. He is the best choral director I've ever seen, and one of the best teachers I've ever seen."
At York High School, one out of every three students is a member of the choral program component of the visual and performing arts department alone - and those approximately 235 students represent a full range of personalities, Stevens said.
And after last year's effort to provide an Arts Wing to accommodate both educational and performance space for those students failed to win majority voter support at the polls, Stevens said it was Westerberg who came back with the idea that has been winning support from the Board of Selectmen and Budget Committee members alike to add instructional space only at this time.
"He's just a phenomenal individual," Scipione agreed. "He has, without question, created a new standard. … He just has that skill, that innate quality, that enables him to get the best out of everyone."
Scipione added that the arts are not only integral part of the academic program at York High School but also provide an important way for students to connect with one another.
"The performances are wonderful, but it's not all about that," he said, describing the journey these young artists undertake together as they study and rehearse music or put their visual arts skills to work in the classroom. "We're looking forward to next year and hopefully creating a better home for those programs."
Westerberg was honored by the governor as an exceptional nominee among those considered for the Outstanding Advocate for Arts Education and the Bill Bonyun award this year. The awards were presented to educators from Portland and Lewiston.
