Tim Craig, director of Fine and Performing Arts and Business Education for the Bayonne Public School District, was recognized as the 2016 Visionary Director/Supervisor of the Year by the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association (NJPSA). The award recognizes principals, assistant principals, and directors of supervisors for innovative and transformative initiatives that improve the quality of education in their schools and districts.
“Tim Craig tirelessly seeks to create exciting and worthwhile learning opportunities to the students of the Bayonne School District, and serves as a loyal and dedicated employee of the Board of Education,”saidSuperintendent of Schools Patricia McGeehan.“I was very proud to recommend Mr. Craig for the honor of the Visionary Leadership Award.”
The Community News spoke with Craig about what the award means to him, and as a newly anointed “visionary,” what vision he has for the school.
“When I came to the department in 2006, I had a goal in mind for how to really reach out to the interests of the students in the arts department,” he said.“I thought to add a dance component to the Bayonne School District. I had to first convince central office that it’s a vital part of our core curriculum content. It should be taught in every school. I believe it is a very strong and very positive art form that can benefit our students greatly.”
When life gives you lemons
Tim Craig started as an administrator at a time when art department cuts were commonplace in New Jersey schools. “Every program has been cut,” he said, while detailing how he made do. “We had to cut back a little here and there on production value for some of our dramas, but in doing that, we paid more attention to the training of the kids. We trimmed down a little, but it didn’t matter because the production value came with the talent of the students.”
Despite underfunding,the district made the most of what they had. “We didn’t cut back in the arts at all when we lost our money,” he said.“We actually doubled what we’ve done.”
Even though the fine arts program has taken leaps in recent years, many students continue to prefer a more vocational route. As the administrator for both fine arts and business, Craig said, “I hear both sides when students are looking to go to work, looking for a career. So that opens the door to the business idea.”
Many of the district’s successful programs were pushed by Craig. From starting a program to allowhigh school students to receive business credits from NJCU before college, to the vo-tech system that integrates apprenticeships for students interested in carpentry and plumbing, the Bayonne School District is making sure students have options to cultivate their interest in business, art, or both.
“We didn’t cut back in the arts at all when we lost our money. We actually doubled what we’ve done.” –Tim Craig
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Great writers, great readers
Another program Craig was especially excited about started this past Saturday, and is called “Saturday Stories and Songs,”during which students, after their morning dance class, read and perform a book. “We’re really focusing right now on childhood literacy,” Craig said.“We put together this program with my music staff, my dance staff, and an early childhood teacher.” The program is aided by dance educator Kelly McGovern, who will also be developing “Mockingbird: Harper Lee’s Masterpiece Told Through Dance,” which will be shown at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 12 and Friday, May 13. The next high school dance concert version of “Little Women” later this year.
“Great writers, great readers, they go hand in hand,” Craig said.“You have to read to be able to write. That’s where we’re focusing right now.” He also recognizes the relationship between art and learning. “I think the arts play an important part in developing that type of discipline that you learn at a young age to love,” he said.“I want more kids to read and participate in the arts. If you tie them together and make it a really fun experience, I think it can benefit our younger children greatly.”
What are his goals? “It’s really important for me to continue the performing arts in this district and citywide,” Craig said.The growing art culture at the Bayonne School District reflects a greater trend in the city and the county. “I think there’s a lot of great things, a lot of great music, a lot of great art in the city,” Craig said.“I think as a community school, we should really have an active and vibrant arts community and push that cultural ticket as far as we can, and I think we’re doing a really good job.”
As the sole recipient in the state, and the first from the Bayonne Public School District to receive the award, Tim Craig will be honored at the NJPSA Fall Conference in Long Branch, New Jersey in October.
Rory Pasquariello may be reached at roryp@hudsonreporter.com.