Two from Acushnet’s Ford Middle School Named Connected Arts Networks Teachers

Music teacher Brian Shanbrun and art teacher Kristine Daniels were selected to serve as Connected Arts Networks (CAN) Teacher Participants for the 2025-26 school year. (Photo Courtesy Acushnet Public Schools)

ACUSHNET — Superintendent Dr. Paula Bailey and Principal Michelle Silvia are proud to share that two educators from Albert F. Ford Middle School (FMS) were selected to be Connected Arts Networks (CAN) Teacher Participants for the 2025-26 school year.

Art teacher Kristine Daniels and music teacher Brian Shanbrun were chosen to join CAN’s professional network of educators. Through this network, CAN is launching federally grant-funded virtual Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to build a sustainable model of professional learning for arts educators nationwide.

By participating in PLCs and other CAN activities, Daniels and Shanbrun hope to support student growth, integrate strategies to serve all students and share promising practices to help strengthen school culture. As a part of the project, the teachers will be asked to attend monthly virtual meetings and workshops outside of school hours, along with opportunities to virtually observe another teacher’s classroom.

“I am honored and excited to be accepted into this group,” said Shanbrun, who has been the band, chorus and music teacher at the Ford Middle School since 2005. “Bringing the breadth of knowledge of the entire field of arts education into my classroom is unbelievably beneficial to me and all of my students. I’m trying to offer the best to my students; I think this experience will bring my best to a new level. To be included on the cutting edge of the field, meeting with experts at the highest levels, is both humbling and inspiring.”

“When I received word that I was chosen to be part of CAN for the 2025-26 school year, I was very honored,” said Daniels, who started her career as an art educator at Ford Middle School in 1993. “Being able to represent our school and region in this group of art educators from across the U.S. is an exciting opportunity. I am looking forward to learning about what educators in other regions and school settings are doing to improve their instructional skills and create impactful arts experiences for students. Being able to collaborate and share ideas with other art educators when so many of us are usually the only art teacher in our building is very meaningful to me.”

CAN, launched in 2021, is a collaborative project sponsored by several national associations for arts education and the NYC Public Schools Arts Office. The PLCs and other activities organized by CAN build upon the model of professional learning and classroom-based action research developed by the NYC Public Schools Arts Office, including its Connected Learning Communities and “Arts Mondays” events, aimed at helping educators strengthen their pedagogy, instruction, leadership, and ultimately better serve students.

CAN Teacher Participants will benefit from a network of ongoing support, quarterly virtual workshops with national content experts, professional development hours, and annual leadership certification. CAN Teacher Participants will also share input with CAN program evaluators about the impact of different classroom practices and projects on learning.

“With only one month under my belt as a CAN Teacher Participant, I already feel more connected to the wider world of music education,” Shanbrun said. “I’m looking forward to diving into the action, implementing new materials, techniques, and structures. At the end of the project our research and feedback could help future generations of teachers and students.”

Principal Silvia and Superintendent Dr. Bailey commended Daniels and Shanbrun for their contributions to arts education in Acushnet and beyond.

“Congratulations to Ms. Daniels and Mr. Shanbrun,” Principal Silvia said. “Their selection as CAN Teacher Participants is a great example of dedication to arts education. We hope that this opportunity will help them continue to grow in their knowledge and abilities to serve our students here in Acushnet.”

“I’d like to applaud our Ford Middle School arts and music teachers, Ms. Daniels and Mr. Shanbrun, for their contributions to the field of arts education, including through this new opportunity as CAN Teacher Participants,” said Superintendent Dr. Bailey. “This is an honor for our school district. We pride ourselves in having teachers who are engaging and always growing in their teaching methods, effectiveness and leadership skills.”

Teacher Biographies:

Kristine Daniels started as an art educator in Acushnet Public Schools in 1993, right after graduating from Westfield State University, teaching at Ford Middle School for her entire career. Daniels earned her National Board Certification in Early Adolescent/Young Adult Art in 1999, and a Master’s Degree in Art Education from the Art of Education University in Osage, Iowa in 2023. She is also the advisor of the F.M.S. Art Club, and member of a student-faculty rock band.

Brian Shanbrun has been the band, chorus, and music teacher at the Ford Middle School since 2005. A former student of Ford Middle School and Acushnet Elementary School, Shanbrun is a performing musician who plays the clarinet and saxophone in pit orchestras, concert bands, jazz bands, and rock bands around the state, including a Dave Matthews Tribute Band called Crush. Shanbrun earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of New Hampshire and a Master’s Degree in Music Education from Gordon College.

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Art teacher Kristine Daniels was selected to serve as one of Connected Arts Networks (CAN) Teacher Participants for the 2025-26 school year. (Photo Courtesy Acushnet Public Schools)

Music teacher Brian Shanbrun was selected to serve as one of Connected Arts Networks (CAN) Teacher Participants for the 2025-26 school year. (Photo Courtesy Acushnet Public Schools)