This past week I have been conducting a graduate level course in arts integration. It is called “Learning Through the Creative Arts: A Look into the Creative Process.”
I have been blown away by the wonderful learnings, creative artwork, thoughtful conversations and truly integrated lesson plans that have come out of our time together. This group of teachers is amazing!
We started the week by building a close, safe, learning community which spanned the entire week. It is in these types of courses – ones embedded in learning about and using the arts, that such a community can form (and so quickly). I’ve now experienced it as an adult student and a teacher of adults. (Not to mention as a teacher of children!) These teachers felt comfortable to dance, sing, play and share of themselves.
Through the planned activities and projects, readings and deep discussions these fine teachers are growing immensely. It is so wonderful to see. They light up and show a new found confidence when they talk about what they hope to do in the fall and how they await the opportunity to inspire their students even more.
This type of professional development specifically in arts integration is so powerful and necessary. And yet, there seems to be so little of it. Imagine if this type of PD was offered as frequently and as importantly as math or literacy PD. None is more important than the other. They all are necessary for for our students. The arts provide a vehicle for deeper understanding of, not only another content area as well as the art form, but so many important skills students need to become successful and confident people in our society.
I encourage you to look for PD opportunities online and in your area so that you can expand your repertoire and evolve your teaching. I will be doing the same both as a student and a teacher as I look forward to offering this course again in the fall.
It seems PD in the arts is more than learning something new. It’s an experience. It changes you. If it is that powerful for the teacher, imaging the power it could have on your students.
~EMP
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Elizabeth Peterson has devoted her life to education and to reaching out to other teachers who want to remain inspired. Mrs. Peterson teaches fourth grade in Amesbury, Massachusetts and is the host of www.theinspiredclassroom.com. She holds an M.Ed. in Education, “Arts and Learning” and is currently enrolled in a C.A.G.S. program through Plymouth State University with a focus in “Arts Leadership and Learning.” Elizabeth is author of Inspired by Listening, a teacher resource book that includes a method of music integration she has developed and implemented into her own teaching. She teaches workshops and courses on the integration of the arts into the curriculum, leads an arts integration PLC (PLaiC) and is adjunct faculty for PSU. Mrs. Peterson believes there is a love of active, integrated learning in all children and from their enthusiasm, teachers can shape great opportunities to learn. 
Speaking from first hand experience, empowering the teacher is so important. I know my students will thrive through experiencing the creative process as I did.
Thank you Elizabeth! I was thinking about today as I got ready at home. Today was the “last day of school”! Along with excitement, I got butterflies. I truly enjoyed every moment that we all spent as a group. What would I say to my teacher! Should I bring a gift? Write a card? So instead of the latter I will promise to integrate the arts into my classroom because of the way that you taught and inspired me to teach the whole child (and the way that you taught the whole me). I will see you at the Retreat! Not because of you but FOR me! Thank you so much Victoria (Tori)
You both are so right! It is about empowering the teacher and feeding their creativity in order for them to inspire their students. I am so happy to have gotten to know both of you better (actually much more than better).
I hope we can continue to work together in the fall – collaborating and sharing ideas! Tori – that IS the best gift.