Kate Sibole

I'm a sardoodling fool of a mother, artist, and educator. I am the Department Chair of the Communications and New Media department at Southern Maine Community College in South Portland, Maine. We are a former technical college that was established 70 years ago for veterans returning home. We have seen amazing growth as well as our share of decreased enrollment, low funding, and changing demographics. I've been with the department for 17 years and I truly love what I do. I teach animation, design, illustration, and non linear editing. But more importantly, I help students navigate moments of insecurity, tenuousness, and hardship. Most of our student population is first generation college and I am always honored to be a part of their "growing up." Last year I was a coorganizer of TEDxSMCC. It was a substantially student driven production. I was mostly just the bumper guards! It was a personal and professional milestone that brought more to student success than I ever could have predicted. I can't wait to do it again! I also serve on the Board of Directors of, My Home. Where I manage the wrangling of two kids, a spirited hound dog, a giant garden, and about 50,000 bees. When not stepping on Legos, I can be found demolishing parts of my 110 yr old house in my stubborn efforts to renovate it all on my own.

Art that makes messes. And messes that make art.

I ride the coat tails of John Cleese, in his discussion of what we can do to lead and live a more creative life. He tells of 5 things we need: Space. A physical space in which to do the work. Time. Time to do the work beyond the boundaries of the petty, easy things. Time. Again. Time to ponder and think about the problem at hand. Confidence. Confidence in the open and closed spaces during the creative process. A sense of humor. Because there is a big difference between solemn and serious. Humor helps get us to those open spaces where creativity happens.

Animation, Bee Keeping, Graphic Design, Mothering, Photography, Sardoodling

Really bad puns!