Aiea Elementary

June 30, 1998

During the 1997-98 school year, the "Sugar Mill Project" was a major learning activity for students at Aiea Elementary School. The project was focused on creating a community-based learning curriculum for students to make connections between their classrooms and their community.

One of the most important components of the project was to integrate the fine arts discipline into the social studies, language arts, and technology curriculum areas. Thanks to an Artist-in-the Schools grant, Aiea Elementary was able to contract the services of artist Thomas Deir to create a ceramic tile mural to reflect "Sugar Mill Project". Our opportunity to work with Thomas Deir was clearly one of the highlights of our entire school year.

Thomas Deir began working with the Aiea Elementary school community in March, 1998. From the onset to the culmination event on June 8, 1998, he became part of the school's ohana or family. He was a team player - very collaborative and open, and very focused on students and their needs. He was extremely reliable, dependable, and accommodation. Our students welcomed him immediately and looked forward to visiting his classroom work center. Equally important is the fact that Thomas Deir is a gifted and very talented artist. He coordinated and combined our students' talent to create a breathtaking ceramic tile mural which captured the multitude of ideas of our students and teachers. Given an opportunity to take on a similar challenge in the future, Aiea Elementary would, with no hesitation, seek out the services of Mr. Deir again. He is an outstanding artist and role model. He has my highest recommendation.

Ala Wai Elementary

June 10, 1999

To Whom it may concern,

This school year Ala Wai School has had the privilege of working with artist Thomas Deir on a ceramic tile mural, "Building A Community of Learners". With his guidance and expertise he was able to transform the concepts important to our students and staff into a visual representation. The quality of his work, understanding of what needed to be accomplished, and commitment to seeing the process through to completion were all commendable.

What made Mr. Deir especially effective was his ability to work with all our students, preschool through fifth grade, at their level. He used music to emphasize different themes visible in the mural, and explain techniques, color schemes, and skills in a way students could understand. Mr. Deir was very flexible in arranging his schedule for the project, yet very reliable in keeping to our timelines.

It is my extreme pleasure to have the opportunity to work with Tom Deir. This positive experience has helped our staff to see more clearly the importance of integrating fine arts across our curriculum, and provided our students with a project in which they can be truly proud of.

Sincerely,

Art in Public Places

Art in Public Places

June 16, 1998

Dear Thomas:

I hope this letter helps you in your pursuit to complete the tile mural for Hanauma Bay. It appears that you have expended a lot of your own time, effort, and funds for this project, and are very close to actually making it a reality. I wish you every success with it. I know that from experiencing your two Artists-in-the-Schools (AITS) projects this year, that the outcome will be of exceptional quality.

I was very impressed with the overall projects at Kahaluu and Aiea elementary schools that you successfully completed for our AITS program this year. It was very evident to me that the principals, faculty, staff, and students at both schools were enamored with the final artwork, and especially with you as the artist in residence. It was very clear that this attachment to the project, and to you , was a result of your unselfish involvement, positive attitude, attentiveness to your audience, and a lot of hard work.

The outcomes at both schools are exactly what we hope to accomplish with the AITS program, and it would be great if all schools could have the same kind of quality experience that you provided at Kahaluu and Aiea elementary. Thank you for your enthusiasm, dedication, and commitment to the program, and to these schools, and I look forward to working with you again in the near future.

Sincerely,

Enchanted Lake

It is with great pleasure that I am writing this commendation for Mr. Thomas Deir. Enchanted Lake Elementary fourth graders have had the opportunity to learn from him through the Artists-in-the-Schools (AITS) Program during the school year 1998-99.

Our fourth graders were chosen to participate in the project because of their study of endangered species in Hawaii and the importance of preserving our natural environment (addressing the Hawaii Content Standard in Science: the practice of caring for their land and resources; and Performance Standard: demonstrate an appreciation for the environment).

Mr. Deir worked with groups of six for 20-minute sessions the first day and 30 minute sessions for at least five sessions per group. Every child in the fourth grade received hands-on participation and lessons on brushing techniques as well as critiquing skills in the production of the mural to address the Hawaii Content Standard in Visual Arts: production in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and fiber arts.

Mr. Deir's entire approach to and execution of the project is exemplary! His positive disposition fostered the student's enthusiasm and motivation. Students thoroughly enjoyed working with him. He directly involved all students in the process of painting and critiquing. His passion for his craft is apparent in his dedication to quality work, thoroughness, and involvement of all students. He researched the Kaelepulu Pond, the site of our mural, and illustrated the theme of learning as a journey through symbolism and personification.

The children and faculty of Enchanted Lake Elementary are most fortunate to have the opportunity of working and learning with Mr. Deir. The students created a legacy for our school.

Sincerely,

Kahaulu Elementary

September 14, 1998

Dear Thomas,

One of the most exciting school wide activities which took place last year at Kahalu'u School was the creation of our beautiful mural which truly captured the heart and soul of our students and community and the commitment we have to build a strong base of literacy skills which will serve our children well into the future.

The mural illustrates that books and literature enhance the life of our school community and brings the world to our doorstep. Since its completion last spring, the mural has become a focal point of school pride and accomplishment. Every child can point to a portion of the mural knowing he/she had a part in bringing it to life.

I wish to thank you; Thomas, Lynn and John, for helping us bring our vision for this mural to reality. The children and teachers truly enjoyed working with you and in the process, you established a very caring relationship with other role groups at the school.

Thank you for your expertise and sharing your artistic gifts with us.

Yours truly,

Nuuanu Elementary

June 16, 2003

To Whom It May Concern:

It is my greatest pleasure to write a letter of commendation for Artist Mr. Thomas Deir. The sixth graders or the Class of 2003 at Nuuanu Elementary School participated in an art legacy gift project this past school year. The dream of the sixth graders and their parents was to present a beautiful tile mural to Nuuanu Elementary School to reflect their love of the school and an appreciation of the teachers and staff. Mr. Thomas Deir was contracted for this project and proved not only to be an exceptionally talented artist, but also a wonderful and dedicated teacher. The students immediately responded to Mr. Deir as he went through a process of having them assist with the design and different phases of this tile mural project. He worked on the activities with the children in close alignment with the Hawaii Content and Performance Standards in the areas of Fine Arts, Language Arts, Math and Science. His work with the students is displayed on www.nuuanu.k12.hi.us as you scroll down to the link titled, "6th Grade Legacy Gift Project." Mr. Deir referred to the standards in his teaching and during the stages of the mural production. Students participated in the concept development stages, applied their newly developed painting skills and wrote reflections on the progress of the mural. More importantly, the students learned the value of working together and how each member was valued in contributing to the completion of this project.

This lovely mural is titled "Learners for Life" and is displayed on the wall of the covered gym. As one student wrote in an essay, "Nuuanu taught me how to be a responsible person and learner for life. I want our legacy gift to be a way of saying thank you to everyone who helped us to learn and to move on to becoming an adult." Another expressed, "Our gift will show our love, thanks, and compassion to the people in Nuuanu. Most of all I want to show that Nuuanu isn't just a school, Nuuanu has pride, dreams and hope." Mr. Deir was able to capture the essence of these thoughts in this awesome mural that enhances the natural beauty of the Nuuanu School campus.

Mr. Deir worked well with the teachers and parents who helped him with coordination and communication during the stages of this project. He has a warm and positive outlook, exhibits passion and quality in his work and promotes team participation. The children enjoyed working with him and he kept them focused and motivated throughout the entire activity. Mr. Deir has my highest recommendation to be an artist at any school as well as in any commercial endeavor.

Sincerely,